Ok… it is official. My boss is a egotistical prick. I just had a confrontation with him today, and it cemeted even firmly in my mind my desire to quit. I’ve hesitated doing so earlier (was just going to wait till my contract runs out in July) because I was worried about my partner. He works at the same company and, even though I don’t think anyone knows we are a couple, he recommended me for the job, they know we are friends, etc… I didn’t want my quitting early to affect (effect?) him in any way. Besides, I’m generally not the type to bail on a commitment.
However, after the situation today, my partner said I had to do what I needed to do…
So, how long will it take for my visa to be cancelled after I quit. In other words, if I walked out today (which I don’t plan to), when might the police come a-knockin’?
Also, even if I had waited till July, I had planned on returning to the US for about two months and returning on a visitors visa, and then looking for another job. Most I’ve talked to said it is very possible, especially now that you don’t need the release letter.
Would it be possible to switch from the ARC to a visitors visa, so that I can stay a few more weeks, look for a job/interview before I go? Make me more comfortable knowing I had something in the works before I hop off the island? If possible, how do I go about doing this?
Are there any points I’m not thinking of? Thanks in advance for any advice.
Richard or anyone else,
Here is my situation now… with some questions that I couldn’t find the answers to on the thread you referred me to.
I decided to resign my position, early, citing personal/family issues that would send me back to the US temporarily. I figured this was better than telling them I thought my immediate boss was a dickhead. They seemed to accept it, even telling me that if I return, I can have a job with the again. AS IF… 
But, I digress. Anyway, this is my schedule…
7 May: Last day at work
10 May: return to US
10 June: return to Taiwan
26 June: official/original expiration date of ARC.
Questions:
-
If I know my employer will cancel my ARC sometime while I’m in the US, do I need to surrender my ARC to the Foreign Affairs Police before I leave? If so, is there anything I need from them in return so that I don’t have any trouble at the airport when I go to leave?
-
Would it be better to try to convince my employer to just let my ARC expire on its own, at the end of June, instead of cancelling it early? Is this legal? Does this have any advantages, especially considering the next question?
-
If, while in the US, I go for a visitor’s visa, I am assuming my ARC will be automatically cancelled (if it hasn’t been already). Correct? Are there any advantages or disadvantages to having a valid ARC when I apply for a visitor’s visa?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Your employer is supposed to cancel your ARC as soon as you leave. The thing is you’ll never know for sure.
My advice is to apply for a 60 day extendable visitor’s visa in the US. This will give you time to get a new job when you get back, and by the time you find one and get your new work permit application under way the old ARC will have expired even if it hasn’t been cancelled. To avoid complications, when you apply for the visitors visa just tell them that your ARC has been cancelled because you had to return to the US (htey’ll see the visa dn reentry stamp in the passport).
Brian
[quote=“Bu Lai En”]Your employer is supposed to cancel your ARC as soon as you leave. The thing is you’ll never know for sure.
My advice is to apply for a 60 day extendable visitor’s visa in the US. This will give you time to get a new job when you get back, and by the time you find one and get your new work permit application under way the old ARC will have expired even if it hasn’t been cancelled. To avoid complications, when you apply for the visitors visa just tell them that your ARC has been cancelled because you had to return to the US (htey’ll see the visa dn reentry stamp in the passport).
Brian[/quote]
This is kind of what I thought I would do. I figured that, even if they forget to cancel it, once I apply for a visitor’s visa it would become void. But, as you said, at least by the time I apply for a new one, through a new employer, it will have expired.
Thanks Brian for the info. 
Well, I applied for the 60 day extendable visa and got a 60 day non-extendable visa. At least, that’s what my dad tells me. I’m visiting some friends in DC and my passport arrived at my parents’ place right after I left to come here. I’ll have to check it when I get back.
However, that means I only have 60 days (actually less 'cause of application time for a new ARC) to find a new job after I get back. Ah well… just adds excitement to my life.
But, I digress. Anyway, this is my schedule…