Applying for study based ARC and switching language center

[lampshade]

Greetings all,

I'm currently studying on my second consecutive semester at Tai-Da and entered Taiwan on a visitor visa which I have already extended twice. On the 8th of August this expires, so I need to either leave and return or apply for a resident visa / ARC.

Currently I intend to study for another semester, or possibly more, so it makes sense to apply for the ARC. My problem is that I'm thinking of switching university, perhaps to Shi-Da or Chinese Culture University.

Now to get the ARC I need to show proof that I've enrolled for the upcoming semester, does this have to be at the same institution?

If not, then that is great. However since the semesters between the universities are not exactly in sync, would this cause problems?

For example my current semester at Tai-Da finishes on August 17th, and the Fall term at Shi-Da begins on September 5th, and at Chinese Culture University on September 17th, that's a gap of 2.5 and 4 weeks respectively. Is such a gap still considered to be consecutive study?

Does anyone have any experience of this?

[Doraemonster]

What's on your visitor visa under "Remarks"? "FR/FS-(Institution name)"? I think if your visa is FR you cannot change the institution, if it's FS - you can.

I was in a similar situation (staying after an exchange semester at NTU to learn Chinese at Shi-Da), and needed to leave Taiwan and reapply for another visa (could not apply for an ARC). I'm afraid you will need to do the same, but there are no rules here, it all depends on the mood of the immigration official, so by all means, do try.

How long will you stay here? Getting an ARC will be cumbersome and expensive. Are you British/Irish/Schengen country national? If yes, consider just coming back on a visa-exempt entry (which is for 90 days), saving your time and money. I'd have done like this, but back in 2008 there was no this option yet.

[lampshade]

Thanks for your reply, much appreciated

My visa says FR with the institution name. Damn.

So I guess I can continue to study at Tai-Da, or do a visa run.

I would prefer to enter with a visa as that would potentially allow me to stay for nine months rather than the maximum six months you can get with a visa free entry.

If I were to do this, would they automatically give me a visa for the full 90 days, or just until my current course ends?

I am worried that my current course ends on 17th August, but if I enrol at The Chinese Culture University with begins on 17th September will they allow me to stay in Taiwan for that month in between? Even if I give them proof I've enrolled and have paid the course fees, etc.

Another question is, if I just get a visitor visa for the purpose of sightseeing, am I still eligible to extend the visa twice?

[Doraemonster]

My visa says FR with the institution name. Damn.

I'm not sure of the rules. Actually, I'm not even sure if there are any rules. If you have the perseverance, try (but expect you will need to do a visa run anyway).

I would prefer to enter with a visa as that would potentially allow me to stay for nine months

There is no visa that would allow you to stay for 9 months. There are the following visitor visas: 30-day, 60-day with "no extension" endorsement, 60-day. The last one can be extended twice up to the total of 180 days. So, no more than 6 months then (without a visa run). There is also a resident visa that allows you to apply for an ARC as soon as you enter, and you can then stay as along as the ARC is valid. The visitor visa can be changed to a resident visa while in Taiwan, but it's not automatic either (this is what you're trying to do, I understand).

If I were to do this, would they automatically give me a visa for the full 90 days, or just until my current course ends?

If you enter on a visitor visa, you are allowed to stay for the "duration of stay" period shown on your visa. In your case that means 60 days. Later, when your visa is about to expire (no earlier than 15 days before the expiration date), you can to go to the National Immigration Agency, and ask for extension, which is not automatic. You will need to provide your letter of acceptance, student ID, and current transcript. The allowed duration of your stay will then be extended for another 60 days, unless your semester (quarter) ends earlier.

I am worried that my current course ends on 17th August, but if I enrol at The Chinese Culture University with begins on 17th September will they allow me to stay in Taiwan for that month in between?

If the period of your study ends on June 1, and you are already allowed to stay until June 2 or beyond, you will not get any further extension: 1 day to pack your stuff, touch your heart, bye-bye! If you transfer to another institution, you will not get an extension either. You may try though, and it might even work, but have alternative arrangements in case it doesn't.

Even if I give them proof I've enrolled and have paid the course fees, etc.

Generally, getting an extension is cumbersome, and it always depends on an arbitrary decision of some incompetent random paper pusher. If you have any other options, it's best avoided.

Another question is, if I just get a visitor visa for the purpose of sightseeing, am I still eligible to extend the visa twice?

It's at the issuing TECO's discretion. You will only know when you get the passport back: the visa will either say "60 days, no extension" or just "60 days." Generally, as a tourist you will get a non-extendable visa I think. Maybe unless you invent some really long itinerary and include it with your application ("I want to crawl from Taipei to Pingdong and back").

If I were you, I'd think like that:
1. Are you sure you really need the ARC?
Yes: try to get one. It's still doable. But you might need to leave the country first, get another visa, and prepay for another semester in advance.
No: See point 2.

2. Do you want to travel around the region (Philippines, Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia are all waiting), or will you go back to Europe temporarily in the middle of your program anyway?
Yes: use the visa exemption and plan your trips so that you never stay for more than 90 days.
No: think again and if the answer is still no, see point 3.

3. Get a visitor visa and bravely embrace the bimonthly extension quagmire.