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A work permit application for all expatriates is composed of three separate stages:
- A work permit application is submitted to the Council of Labor Affairs (CLA) in Taiwan and consists of information provided by the applicant, together with corporate documentation provided by the sponsoring company in Taiwan
- Upon approval, the applicant and his family must apply for visitor visas with the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) with jurisdiction over their current residence.
- Then the assignee and family may enter Taiwan under visitor status and complete local Taiwanese immigration formalities. This includes applying for conversion of the visitor visa to a resident visa, and (b) an application for the Alien Registration Certificate (ARC) and the Re-Entry Permit (RP).
Within fifteen (15) days of arrival, holders of Resident Visas must apply for an Alien Resident Certificate. The Alien Resident Certificate permits the bearer to remain in Taiwan for that period, as well as maintain a local currency bank account, take title of vehicles, and apply for a local driving license. Medical examinations may be required of the applicant and each family member six years of age and older. In general, the Alien Resident Certificate is valid for the same time as the work permit. Extensions should be obtained from the relevant authorities in Taiwan. |
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Taiwan's unit of currency is the New Taiwan Dollar (NT$ or NTD). The exchange rate was around NT$32 to US$1 (as of Dec. 2004). Foreign currencies can be exchanged at government-designated banks, hotels, and shops.
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The national language is Mandarin Chinese. Many people can speak some English and Japanese, but most taxi drivers do not. |
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The climate of the ROC (Taiwan) is subtropical, with an average annual temperature of 22°C (72°F) in the north and 24.5°C (76°F) in the south. Summers, which last from May through September, are usually hot and humid, with daytime temperatures ranging from 27°C to 35°C (80° - 90°F). Winters, which are from December through February, are short and mild. Snow falls only on the island's higher mountains. |
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Banks are open from 9 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Most commercial firms are open from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. Department stores are open daily from 11 a.m. to 9:30 p.m. Sunday - Thursday, or 11 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. Friday, Saturday, and before national holidays. Most other stores are open daily from 9 or 10 a.m. to 9 or 10 p.m. Government offices are open from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. and 1:30 to 5:30 p.m. Monday - Friday. |
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Electrical power used throughout Taiwan is 110-volt, 60-cycle AC. Drinking water served at hotels and restaurants is distilled or boiled. |
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Vaccinations are not normally required for entry into Taiwan. |
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