I was looking at staying in Taipei for a night or two next week and looking at the sights but realised I could have a problem - no passport. Will the hotels require it? Are there any alternatives e.g. quoting a relevant ID number or something. Unusual problem I know 
Ifya dont have your passport,the hotel is the least of your problems.
If you’re British you might get away with showing them someone else’s passport
Assuming you are in Taiwan legally but your passport is sent somewhere else for a visa say, you can stay in hotels in Taiwan with a Taiwan drivers license or an ARC . A passport is not usually needed. However, they are supposed to send this info to the local police box and if theres any issue with you, they may pay you a visit.
Very good 
Very good [/quote]
Maybe they will incorporate this “trick” in the next James Bond movie ? 
I mean it worked right?
Nevermind the two dont look the same?
Expanding on that idea though, I dont know how easy Brit passports are to doctor, but my former US passports , the picture can be easily replaced. It wont have the emboss stamp when theres a new picture but a lax Immigration Occifer could perhaps not spot that? Current US passports, its not possible to replace the picture.
So if the brit passport was old school with a replaceable picture, thats all Zain needed to do. PUt a pic of himself on it, the immigration guy looks at the pic and at the passport, see that they match (miss any emboss or other anti picture switch cues) and bobs your uncle, off you go.
Very good [/quote]
Maybe they will incorporate this “trick” in the next James Bond movie ? I mean it worked right?
Nevermind the two dont look the same?
Expanding on that idea though, I don’t know how easy Brit passports are to doctor, but my former US passports , the picture can be easily replaced. It wont have the emboss stamp when theres a new picture but a lax Immigration Occifer could perhaps not spot that? Current US passports, its not possible to replace the picture.
So if the brit passport was old school with a replaceable picture, thats all Zain needed to do. PUt a pic of himself on it, the immigration guy looks at the pic and at the passport, see that they match (miss any emboss or other anti picture switch cues) and bobs your uncle, off you go.[/quote]
Yes I’m worried if they think I look like Zane,they will stop ,me…Oh wait a minute, we all look the same 
I thought all British Passports have a chip inside for double check so all you have to do is check the face is the same…oops. Maybe they were really similar looking people 
Thanks for the info and yes I’m here legally. Bit too far to swim! :roflmao:
I’m in the process of trying to get the resident visa to get the ARC hence no passport. No drivers licence alas. Don’t suppose student ID or a photo of my passport would pass muster? Figured the photo could be useful if ever I were unlucky enough to lose my passport.
As for passing as British, well I’m White and don’t have an accent, at least an American one, so uh maybe.
You should be fine. Take a copy of your passport, say its taken to process for ARC.
Hotels are not into hassling customers unduly.
YOu could call them up and ask them if its a problem beforehand?
Haven’t you got a document from the Immigration Office to state they have your passport? I thought they gave us one when we applied for our ARCs.
That’s what I was thinking.
I thought I read somewhere on this forum that resident visas are no longer a separate sticker attached to your passport, but rather it’s incorporated in the ARC, therefore no need to keep your passport when applying (only show the original and provide a photocopy).
As tommy525 said, though, I don’t think hotels normally want to turn away business, so just provide the passport number and an explanation, flash the cash, and you should be fine.
I get asked sometimes but usually not. If I do, I hand them some ID and tell them they can see my passport if they have an airport. I think most of the inquiries are simply a translation problem. They just want I.D.
And honestly, its hit or miss.
Only one hotel that I have stayed in asked me for my passport. If you have a US DL, you can probably use that, explain to them the situation. Do you have your receipt for the visa application? I would imagine you do, bring that along as well.
On a visa run in HK I turned in my passport before checking in the hotel and wouldn’t do it again if I can help it. I showed the manager my visa receipt and my NHI card, he wasn’t too happy and was reluctant to let me check in. I already payed for the room online and didn’t think it would be an issue as long as I had my credit card with me. He told me to show him my passport as soon as I could and scolded me. If I had my driver’s license and copy of my passport it probably wouldn’t have been as much of a hassle.