So I got a job with a very reputable agency working for a public school in Taiwan. They just told me they have my work permit prepared - I am currently in the US. They say it’s possible to come in on my visa free status and then start work because I have a work permit, and once I get the medical check they can get me an ARC. Is this possible without a work visa? It seems kinda weird. The problem is that I already have a (very expensive) flight booked for the 4th. When they offered me the job earlier this month I asked them if they needed my passport and they said no. I know they’re a very reputable agency but something about not having a work visa and working seems shady.
First visa in Asia I guess? These rules are seen as mere suggestions in Asia.
I think its common in Taiwan to enter on a tourist visa then change to a work visa when there as they don’t really have embassies in most countries to issue work visas. This is the quickest way to get you in and get you working, but while I dont know the company I’d say the situation is not dodgy or uncommon.
Actually it’s not my first time in Asia - when I worked in China I got a Z visa before coming and then after that they got me a residency permit. This was all done through my school - which is why I asked the agency if they needed my passport, as my Chinese school needed it immediately after offering the job. So I will be able to get a work visa/visitor visa IN the country?
China have embassies and consulates in the USA, Taiwan does not so it’s pretty laborious to issue work visas (not impossible).
Since USA citizens I think, get 90 days on arrival lots of schools ask the teachers to come and then the work permit and residency are issued in Taiwan. It’s just a lot easier for them that way.
When i came to taiwan 15 years ago, you couldnt arrive visa free and then change to a work visa.
You had to arrive on a 60 day tourist visa(i had to apply and pay for this) to be able to change to a work ARC without leaving the country.
Unless the rules have changed, i would make sure there is not a miscommunication with them saying to arrive on a tourist visa and you thinking that means arrive visa free.
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Tourist visa yes, landing visa/visa free no.
Unless the rules have changed since i did this 15 years ago.
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Yes, that’s my concern. I am visa-free, and will not have a visa on arrival. Is it possible to convert a visa-free stamp to a visitor visa in Taiwan? BOCA’s site says that an ARC requires proof of a visitor visa.
Have you asked the company? Your concerns are legitimate and they should be knowledgeable on what they are capable of doing RE: visas.
Good luck
Yes, and they said it’s just easier to come in visa free and then get the ARC. But some of the info is opaque and conflicting, and I like to make sure I understand everything before I go into a new country, not just take a company’s word for it. Getting it wrong is not good. Better to ask people with experience outside of the people who hired me, IMO.
Yes visitor visa.
What is the company’s name?
I am going to leave you to it now because like i say, i did this 15 years ago and they might have changed the rules but at that time, you couldnt enter visa free and change to a work visa. The people that did had to take a short flight to a nearby country and apply.
Get ready for a lot of this
For the school to apply for your work permit they would have needed a photocopy of the passport of the employed foreign worker or ARC.
Documents Required
As per the updated Foreign Talent Act in 2021 you should be able to enter visa-exempt and apply directly to NIA for the ARC without the need to go through BOCA to obtain a residence visa first.
BOCA Visa-Exempt note:
*For others who obtains work permits (exclude fulfilling contract purpose) granted for a period over 6 months, shall apply for their residency directly to the National Immigration Agency according to the “Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals.”
Bureau of Consular Affairs, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Republic of China(Taiwan)-Visa-Exempt Entry
Foreign Talent Act article 12:
A foreign professional or foreign specialist professional who enters the State with a visa exemption or holding a visitor visa and who, having obtained a work permit or with exemption from obtaining a work permit, engages in professional work in the State, may apply directly to the NIA for residency, and if approved, shall be issued with an Alien Resident Certificate.
Act for the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals - Article Search/Content Search Result - Laws & Regulations Database of The Republic of China (Taiwan)
To note that entering visa-exempt you will need a return ticket out of Taiwan as part of the visa-exempt entry requirements vs if got the resident visa beforehand. Though if the medical test is needed then it’s usually easier and cheaper to do it in Taiwan as many of the hospitals have a standard process to get a certificate for the Items Required for Health Certificate for Foreign Teachers.
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Yes you arrive and as your work visa is ready you can then apply for the resident ARC.
not sure how strict this rule is as I came to Taiwan last year on a visa exemption and didn’t have an onward ticket and was never asked for one.
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Yeah I’ve heard mixed stories, it really depends who you get at the airline check-in desk.
You are right with the term “onward ticket” rather than what I said “return ticket”… it can be to anywhere.
Yes, I will get an onward ticket to Thailand just to be safe, but the BOCA website says that white collar workers with a work permit that enter visa free can change their visa in Taiwan, which was what I was worried about. It took me a long time to find, though. Both the US and Taiwan embassies were saying this wasn’t generally possible which had me very confused. But it seems this is a generally accepted wink-nod workaround, which I can roll with. Actually, it seems it’s gotten even easier. And yes, they did need a picture of my passport but not the physical thing, which China needed for the Z visa. So I was just super confused and wanted to check. I’m also not inclined to just “trust” new employers, and tend to want to find info on official websites. What you’re telling me is generally consistent with BOCA so I’m good!
(Yes I do insist on calling them embassies because Taiwan is a country and I refuse to play China’s game lol)
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