entering Taiwan on a one-way ticket to teach English

[rugged_edge]

Hi,

I am an American citizen planning to move to Taiwan in August 2012. I will be leaving America in late July, stopping in Europe for a couple weeks to visit friends, then making my way to Taipei in early August. Originally I planned to secure an English teaching position before departing the US, but from what I understand, it can be much easier to find work in person. Therefore I plan to look for work after arriving in Taiwan. As I will have a one-way ticket to Taiwan, I'm not sure if I will be able to get a visitor visa, which will extend my stay longer than 30 days (no visa needed with US passport up to 30 days) to look for work. For those of you that have gone this route, what are my options? Once a position is secured, how long does it take to get a resident visa/ARC/etc.? Should I not worry about getting a visitor visa before arrival in Taiwan? Any advice or recommendations on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Steve

[CraigTPE]

You can search the forum for several threads on traveling on a one-way ticket.

Basically the rule says you can not, unless you are a resident. Whether the rule is enforced is a crap shoot. Airline is more likely to enforce it than the immigration officer upon arrival, should you make it this far.

[Puppet]

Another thing to consider....
If you come on a 30 day landing Visa, you'd have to leave the country anyway. Those have no extensions and they cannot be changed to any other type of Visa.

[stephlee]

I came to Taiwan with a one-way ticket, landed last week. Just starting to look for teaching opportunities now, so I'll get back to you on it.

However, 30 days is cutting it pretty close no matter how you look at it, probably better to be safe than to have to buy another round trip ticket. I got the 60 day visa and am applying for an extension of 6 months, and hopefully by that point I will have a resident visa. At the airport, when I was checking in, I was asked about not having a round trip ticket but I said I knew and they didn't really pursue the matter. That being said, I am probably a different case since both of my parents have recently moved (back) to Taiwan and have reclaimed their citizenship, so it was easier to apply for a visa without a round trip ticket.

[Confuzius]

Hi,

I am an American citizen planning to move to Taiwan in August 2012. I will be leaving America in late July, stopping in Europe for a couple weeks to visit friends, then making my way to Taipei in early August. Originally I planned to secure an English teaching position before departing the US, but from what I understand, it can be much easier to find work in person. Therefore I plan to look for work after arriving in Taiwan. As I will have a one-way ticket to Taiwan, I'm not sure if I will be able to get a visitor visa, which will extend my stay longer than 30 days (no visa needed with US passport up to 30 days) to look for work. For those of you that have gone this route, what are my options? Once a position is secured, how long does it take to get a resident visa/ARC/etc.? Should I not worry about getting a visitor visa before arrival in Taiwan? Any advice or recommendations on this matter would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Steve

SEARCH is your friend!

This is the third time this question has been asked this week.