staying in TW without a job

[chris1234]

I know that there's a visitor visa for USA citizens that lasts 60 days. However, is it possible to stay in TW indefinitely without a job? I have a friend who is thinking about spending some retirement time out there. He'd just be renting some place and touring around for a couple of years while living off some savings. Is that possible to do? Would he have to report his savings income as a TW resident?

[John Yu]

The visitor visa can be extended a maximum of 2 times (you must provide a travel plan and proof of funds as well). That way you can get up to around 6 months at a time, but still have to leave the country then.

At least that's how the law works right now.

[chris1234]

Okay, 18 months total is close to the about 2 years he was thinking about anyway.

Does anyone know how much money constitutes proof of funds for each 6 month visitor visa?

[monokuro]

I've been in Taiwan for over 3 years without a job - purely here on Tourist visas... just leaving every month or two to renew

[SeoulMan]

I've been in Taiwan for over 3 years without a job - purely here on Tourist visas... just leaving every month or two to renew

Do you have any problems coming back in doing that? Also, where do you extend it (change it from a 30 day to 60 day visa)? Can you do it in Taiwan or do you have to do it at an embassy overseas?

[Amasashi]

You can simply apply for a multiple-entry visa for your purposes. The duration and length of stay will depend on several factors, namely where you plan on staying and where your money is going to come from. My friend's husband is American, and he got his brother a multiple-entry visa that allows him 180 days of stay per entry and is valid for 5 years. Unless you have a crap-ton of money in th bank, it helps if you know someone here who can "sponsor" your stay.

Another way is to apply to be an international student at a party college. Those schools are always short of students and they'll basically accept anyone who's willing to pay tuition. Tuition is an added expense, but it comes with the benefit of an ARC and health insurance and all that other good stuff. The problem with this plan is that you need to pass at least half of your required classes each year to extend your ARC for another year. You can just drop out of one school and apply to another if you wish, but the government will catch on after awhile.

[monokuro]

I've been in Taiwan for over 3 years without a job - purely here on Tourist visas... just leaving every month or two to renew

Do you have any problems coming back in doing that? Also, where do you extend it (change it from a 30 day to 60 day visa)? Can you do it in Taiwan or do you have to do it at an embassy overseas?

The only time I had an issue was a few years back - they said I had too many 60 day visas back to back, so had to get a 30 (just go there) and get a 60 after.

I never did that in country - always went to Bangkok for a week or so.

This was before the agreement with the UK though (back then it was 30 days on arrival, or 60 if you applied) - now it's just 90 on arrival.

Since then, never had any troubles at all.

[tommy525]

as long as you leave on time and dont overstay you have no trouble coming back in.

[Diomedes]

Does anyone know how much money constitutes proof of funds for each 6 month visitor visa?

I showed him a bank statement with 30k USD and he looked like it was the most money he'd ever seen on paper.

I've read on other sites that at little as $3k will get you in the door with an extendable visa.

[Belgian Pie]

You can stay as long as you want with the necessary documents, visa or anything that gives you the right to stay in Taiwan officially for a period of time ... but, don't forget to file taxes when you exceed 183 day per calendar year! Even if you don't have a job!