Taiwan visa for helper

Posted by MumBee (318 days ago)

Does anyone know how to go about getting a Taiwan visa for my helper?

Thanks for any advice.

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Posted by GreenValleys (318 days ago)

What sort of a visa - tourist, helper...? Or are you just asking about where to go to lodge the application?

Posted by MumBee (318 days ago)

It would be as a tourist visa for a couple of days. Just wondering how difficult or easy it is to get such a visa. Or would it be easier to apply for a helper visa on her behalf?

Thanks.

Posted by GreenValleys (318 days ago)

Applying for a helper visa would only be appropriate if she was going to work there as a helper, wouldn't it? And technically it should be a lot more difficult that getting a tourist visa.

Posted by MumBee (318 days ago)

Oh sorry, I thought you meant as an accompanying traveller. Anyway do you know how difficult it would be for her to get a tourist visa? Is it as difficult as getting a US passport?

Thanks again.

Posted by GreenValleys (318 days ago)

I would imagine that any visa is easier to get than a US passport - that is assuming the applicant is not a US citizen. Taiwan has the usual set of visa-related rules you would expect of any sovereign country (all debates on that particular issue put aside for the time being). Depending on your helper's nationality she could either enter for up to 30 days visa-free, or find the requirements all but prohibitive, and my guess is that she would fall somewhere in between those two and have to apply for a visa beforehand. The problem (assuming that you're in HK) is that I don't think there's a Taiwan representative office in HK.

Posted by MumBee (318 days ago)

We are in HK and she is Filipino so would need a visa. I thought there was an office in Queensway - has that closed?

Posted by PoliteEmployer (317 days ago)

I got a visa for Taiwan for my Filipino DH previously. I think you need to call their consulate - refer to this website for the contact number http://www.whosetravel.com/Hong_Kong_Embassy.htm. The people at the consulate will provide you with the correct website link to get the downloadable forms to fill in for your helper. I think the forms are available from the link above under Visa Information, but do check with the HK office first.

One thing to note when your helper has got the visa in her passport. It looks really shoddy and "untechnical". This isn't the final visa as such. Once you land in Taiwan (we went to Taipei), we queued at Immigration for ages, only to discover that we're supposed to go to the little office to the side of the Immigration booths first to have the actual visa stuck into her passport. Then go to the Immigration Officer to have the passport stamped etc. Hope this makes sense, but hate for you to go through what we did with the queuing.

Posted by MumBee (317 days ago)

PoliteEmployer - did you apply for a regular tourist visa for your helper? And how long did it take to get the visa? Was it difficult or relatively easy to get the visa?

Thanks for your advice.

Posted by PoliteEmployer (317 days ago)

I remember it was very quick. She went in the morning, and then was asked to go the next day to pick it up. I can't remember what kind of visa she applied for, but have a feeling it was a tourist visa. Call their office and double-check with the officials there - they were very thorough with my queries. The whole process was fast and easy.

Posted by MumBee (317 days ago)

PoliteEmployer - thanks, had one more question (for you or anyone who knows). How does my helper provide proof of address? She doesnt have any bills in her name so I dont know how to get around that.

Thanks.

Posted by PoliteEmployer (316 days ago)

I think it means a proof of address of the employer. As long as your utility bill and the address on her employment contract corresponds with each other, I think it's okay.