Student Visa Change to Work/Resident Visa?

[vhawkx]

Hello everyone,

I'm wondering if my student visa (I don't have a student ARC, just multiple entry visitor visa with a remark that says that I cannot work) can be changed into a resident visa or work permit in order for me to legally work in Taiwan. Can my employer apply for a work permit or resident visa even though I am entered the country on the student visa?

Also, I'm doing a visa run in a few days and would like to know if it's better for me to enter using a 30-day landing visa, my current student visa which would give me 60 days, or if I should apply for a new visitor/tourist visa and enter using that? I just don't know if the student visa can be changed into a work permit/resident visa. Which is more convenient for my employer to convert to the resident/work ARC?

Any input would be greatly helpful. I'm sorry if this question has been asked before or has been posted in the wrong section but I couldn't find any information on it in my search.

Thank you!

[CraigTPE]

Unless it's changed since I went through the process, if you enter on a tourist visa, subsequently get a job, you can have it changed to a resident visa without leaving the country. If you enter visa-free, you need to leave and get a visa.

That being said, it seems as though I've read posts here where people have entered visa-free and gotten a resident visa without leaving, but I don't have time to do a search.

[vhawkx]

Thanks for the reply Craig.

So I'm guessing that the visitor visa that was obtained with a reason of being a student can function the same as a normal tourist visa and be converted to a resident visa with work as the reason?

I wonder if anyone has changed it before...

[CraigTPE]

visitor visa = tourist visa....

If you enter with no visa, that is no visa.....

[vhawkx]

Thanks a lot Craig! I guess I don't need to apply for a new tourist visa once I do my visa run.

[CraigTPE]

Thanks a lot Craig! I guess I don't need to apply for a new tourist visa once I do my visa run.

As long as it's still valid......