What kind of visa to get to stay longer term (1-3 years)?

[cazza]

I am currently living in Australia but my DH (Australian) has a portable job (can work anywhere there is internet) and I'd like to take the kids to Taiwan to live for a couple of years and learn the language.

I'm an Australian citizen but not a Taiwanese citizen (I have never lived more than 6 months in Taiwan at any point in my life). Both my parents are Taiwanese but they didn't get my citizenship for me when I was a child. Is it too late now to apply? (I am in my late 30s). I had a Taiwanese passport, but the embassy told my father that you can have a Taiwanese passport without being a Taiwanese citizen and they were not particularly helpful in giving other ideas about how I can make this work.

Otherwise I think my other option is to get a working visa (and ARC?). How many hours do you have to work to be sponsored? If anyone were to work, it would be me, as my DH already has a job that he loves. However I would be looking after the kids full time so I don't want a full time job but I could do a few hours/week, but would that be enough to be considered 'working'?

[Just Jennifer]

I am currently living in Australia but my DH (Australian) has a portable job (can work anywhere there is internet) and I'd like to take the kids to Taiwan to live for a couple of years and learn the language.

I'm an Australian citizen but not a Taiwanese citizen (I have never lived more than 6 months in Taiwan at any point in my life). Both my parents are Taiwanese but they didn't get my citizenship for me when I was a child. Is it too late now to apply? (I am in my late 30s). I had a Taiwanese passport, but the embassy told my father that you can have a Taiwanese passport without being a Taiwanese citizen and they were not particularly helpful in giving other ideas about how I can make this work.

Otherwise I think my other option is to get a working visa (and ARC?). How many hours do you have to work to be sponsored? If anyone were to work, it would be me, as my DH already has a job that he loves. However I would be looking after the kids full time so I don't want a full time job but I could do a few hours/week, but would that be enough to be considered 'working'?

If both your parents were Taiwanese at your birth, then you are Taiwanese. Go to your local TECO/Taiwanese trade office and apply for your Taiwanese passport (no ID number). You can use that to enter Taiwan where you need to apply for a 台灣地區居留證 (Taiwan Area Residence Card - TARC). You keep that for one year without leaving Taiwan, set up your household registration (unless you have family here, then you can just register on theirs), and after one year you apply for your ID card.
This is generally the "overseas Chinese route", so as the child of two Taiwanese parents you may even not need to do the TARC year, you should be able to apply for household registration and an ID immediately once you are here.

Here's the Immigration Act for further reading.

[Woodenathick]

Hello there,

I'have been married to a Taiwanese. My married life is't good and I suffered a lot in last few years. She attacks and abuses me in the car whenever we go out somewhere. When she drives while we are having quarrels, she tried to hit into some other cars on highway just to show how angry she is. During our quarrels, my wife always kept saying that I should get the citizenship and leave her. I have no choice now. I'm gonna apply for naturalization process next year. Is it possible that to get divorce right after I apply for naturalization and marry someone else when I get my TARC?

[Big Vern]

Hello there,

I'have been married to a Taiwanese. My married life is't good and I suffered a lot in last few years. She attacks and abuses me in the car whenever we go out somewhere. When she drives while we are having quarrels, she tried to hit into some other cars on highway just to show how angry she is. During our quarrels, my wife always kept saying that I should get the citizenship and leave her. I have no choice now. I'm gonna apply for naturalization process next year. Is it possible that to get divorce right after I apply for naturalization and marry someone else when I get my TARC?

Yes, it is.

Out of interest, what areas of Taiwan do you drive in? It's dangerous enough as it is.

[Kal El]

Is it possible that to get divorce right after I apply for naturalization and marry someone else when I get my TARC?

You can get divorced and re-marry as soon as you have your TARC. A TARC = Taiwanese nationality.

[cranky laowai]

Is it possible that to get divorce right after I apply for naturalization and marry someone else when I get my TARC?

Since you mention the possibility of marrying someone else soon, you should perhaps be especially careful while you're still married to woman number one. If you are found to have had an affair, Taiwan might strip you of citizenship.

[Woodenathick]

Hello there,

I'have been married to a Taiwanese. My married life is't good and I suffered a lot in last few years. She attacks and abuses me in the car whenever we go out somewhere. When she drives while we are having quarrels, she tried to hit into some other cars on highway just to show how angry she is. During our quarrels, my wife always kept saying that I should get the citizenship and leave her. I have no choice now. I'm gonna apply for naturalization process next year. Is it possible that to get divorce right after I apply for naturalization and marry someone else when I get my TARC?

Yes, it is.

Out of interest, what areas of Taiwan do you drive in? It's dangerous enough as it is.

Usually on highways :) and Hsinchu area.

[Woodenathick]

Is it possible that to get divorce right after I apply for naturalization and marry someone else when I get my TARC?

You can get divorced and re-marry as soon as you have your TARC. A TARC = Taiwanese nationality.

Thanks a lot for taking your precious time to reply and the information.

[Woodenathick]

Is it possible that to get divorce right after I apply for naturalization and marry someone else when I get my TARC?

Since you mention the possibility of marrying someone else soon, you should perhaps be especially careful while you're still married to woman number one. If you are found to have had an affair, Taiwan might strip you of citizenship.

Presently I'm not into in any other relationship but I can't deny the possibility of having one later as I don't want to stay single for long. I have heard of the incident from other forums in Taiwan before. The news made me bit concerned and I googled for more information on it, I found this http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori ... 2003579036 where it is quoted as "Under the law, foreigners who obtain ROC citizenship can be stripped of their status if they engage in criminal activity or fail to demonstrate good morals over the following five years.""

Not sure having second relation considered to be a criminal activity here in Taiwan. Does anyone have any idea about such law?

[Big Vern]

Not sure having second relation considered to be a criminal activity here in Taiwan. Does anyone have any idea about such law?

Mea culpa. The moment I touched down at CKS they had to introduce some kind of law. I don't blame them.

[sandman]

If your ex decides that you don't have good morals and makes a complaint, then the authorities have to follow up. So yeah, she can get you stripped of your citizenship with little more than a phonecall and filling out a few forms.

[Kal El]

If your ex decides that you don't have good morals and makes a complaint, then the authorities have to follow up. So yeah, she can get you stripped of your citizenship with little more than a phonecall and filling out a few forms.

Nonsense.

Presently I'm not into in any other relationship but I can't deny the possibility of having one later as I don't want to stay single for long. I have heard of the incident from other forums in Taiwan before. The news made me bit concerned and I googled for more information on it, I found this http://www.taipeitimes.com/News/editori ... 2003579036 where it is quoted as "Under the law, foreigners who obtain ROC citizenship can be stripped of their status if they engage in criminal activity or fail to demonstrate good morals over the following five years.""

Not sure having second relation considered to be a criminal activity here in Taiwan. Does anyone have any idea about such law?

Regarding your situation, any investigation into the matter will only support the case if it is proven without a doubt that you were engaged in an extra-marital sexual relationship. Of course, under the loose terms of the law, it could be argued that you don't demonstrate good morals if it can be proven that you habitually have one night stands or something of that nature. But being divorced and then getting a gf after the divorce wouldn't cause you to lose your citizenship.

[sandman]

Of course, under the loose terms of the law

Absolutely. "Loose morals" is a catch-all. Drinking a beer outside 7-11 could be construed as "loose morals" if someone decides so. If you think that's nonsense, good for you. Its not something I would personally take on chance, though.

[Kal El]

Of course, under the loose terms of the law

Absolutely. "Loose morals" is a catch-all. Drinking a beer outside 7-11 could be construed as "loose morals" if someone decides so. If you think that's nonsense, good for you. Its not something I would personally take on chance, though.

Talking to you lot on here could be considered "loose morals" by some, but just as with drinking a beer outside a 7-11 I have never heard or read about anyone who has lost their citizenship over such a triviality in the five year "waiting" period.

[Kal El]

Let's just say I know a bloke personally (and it's not anyone who has ever posted here or on Forumosa) who got divorced during his TARC year, and re-married within that year. His divorce was also fairly ugly and his ex did try that shit, but the government told her to feck off. I advised him against doing it (being over cautious, just in case), but he followed his own advice. He didn't have any problems.