RRM1000

Hi,

I am a Britsh guy looking to move to Taiwan for a few months. I know I can live there for up to 180 days (90 plus a 90 day extension if I take Mandarin courses) but I was wondering if there was any other way to extend this? I've heard from a couple of sources that you can get a re-entry permit from HK or Japan that allows you to extend or reset this. Can anyone verify this?

Also, if I left Taiwan for a few weeks and then returned, would the time I have been away from Taiwan still count towards the 180 days I can stay for?

Thanks

BritInParis

For what purpose do you want to move to Taiwan?

RRM1000

To stay with my girlfriend and use as a base for travelling. I'm not looking to work there, although I will be using the time to set up a cloud based I.T. company (I will not be trading though)!

BritInParis

How old are you?

RRM1000

Apparently, if you leave and re-enter Taiwan, the 90 day period resets. That suits me fine

BritInParis

It may be that easy, it may not. It would depend on how scrupulously they check for or tolerate recent visits. If you are 30 or under then a Youth Mobility Scheme visa would be a safer bet and allow you to work legally as well.

Purpose of the Youth Mobility Scheme (YMS) - Taipei Representative Office in the U.K. 駐英國台北代表處

BritInTaiwan

Yes this is incredibly easy - you can book a return flight to Hong Kong from Taipei or Taichung, and you don';t even need to leave the airport, just get straight back on the plane.

It's known as a "visa run", i've known people living in Taiwan who have done it every 90 days for 5 years or more. Check forumosa for more info.