Being born after 1984 is a big hassle. Now Acquiring work for the long term in Taiwan will probably be very difficult.
First of the old laws were once every four months. However, as people from the 1984 and above generation came to draft age, the government decided to take some measures with them.
That's right every 182 days you have to leave Taiwan. Oh yeah this is also cumulative count.
Now time to bust some myths related to this rule.
Myth one: I can stay 6 months every year.
Truth: No you can't. Like those born before 1984 you also prohibitted from three visits over four months. So after your second 6 month visit, you only got 4 months.
Myth 2: I'll just run out and then come back in. That's the ticket.
Truth: Unfortunately, that's not the ticket and if you do that you might not even be able to use your plane ticket anymore. Remember you aren't on that 4 month rule. Your days are CUMULATIVE.
ex.) You land in TW on November 2009. That means from Nov 09 to Nov 2010. You cannot have set foot in Taiwan for 183 days. You don't get a reset, you get a cumulative count. A
Myth 3: I can stay 6 months right?
Truth: Yes and no. For 1984 and below they count by the dates. Like for example if you enter Sept 30, 2009. The last day you can reside in Taiwan without army service(assuming this isn't your 3rd offense over 4 months) is Sept 29, 2010. As long as the dates don't match up or exceed you are fine.
However, for those born AFTER this date, they don't count by the dates. They count the number of days you actually LIVE in Taiwan. So don't go six months happy cause you might just regret it.
This is all I can offer, it is very hard for people born in these years to avoid military service using a loophole . But at least you can visit for a while and not worry about being conscripted.
Interesting Fact: Many sons of Taiwanese politicians also use this loophole and in fact Lien Chen's son has never gone to the army.
Monday, October 12, 2009
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Household Registry Expanded and the ROC ID Card.
So, who can get an ROC ID card. Now this is a complex issue, since this is not ONLY just for citizens. Overall it should be no problem for you to get a TW ID card.
I.)Discovering your residency
Now the tricky part is, coming up. Actually it's not that damn tricky at all.
First of all, before you go, please ask your parents or someone who knows where you last lived in Taiwan.
NOTE: The place where you are registered might NOT even be your actual residence in Taiwan. There are plenty of people who are registered in one place, but never resided there. Ex,) My friend's nephews were registered at his house, BUT they continuosly resided elsewhere.
So if your parents keep good paperwork records, you will find out where you were last registered.
Once you found out, Please bring two passport photos and your ROC passport. It's that easy.
Photos, are roughly 2 x 2 (Two inches and two inches)
1.) They cannot show TEETH
2.) They must show the shoulders
3.) Also you must see both ears clearly
Once again, I am a big fan of bringing Id documents. It's probably excessive but, better safe than sorry. Bring stuff proving TW citizenship, such as the BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
II.) Getting the ID card.
I haven't personally done this, but I have asked the Taiwan Offices. First of all please go to the household registration offices to apply for your ID card (THIS IS DONE BY DISTRICTS. LIKE HSINYI, WANHUA, DAAN, NEIHU). It's very easy to find the location of the household registration office on google.
Note: For me I need to run ALL the way to Kaoshiung from Taipei to get my shit done. F*CK oh well.....
Also,just go there and tell them you'd like to update your status and apply for a TW ID card.
Paper work will be filled out, and it's probably going to do be done awfully quickly too
Additional Recommendations:
1.) My level of Chinese isn't bad but if yours isn't,bring someone reliable to help you out.
2.) If you don't have records of where you once lived in Taiwan, you might be shit out off luck. However, most of your parents are probably responsible enough to keep records. They probably will have a general idea where you were once registered. You can always call your local household registry office to confirm things.
3.) ALSO NOTE: IF YOU ENTER TAIWAN IN YOUR US OR FOREIGN PASSPORT YOU CANNOT APPLY FOR A TW ID CARD.
I.)Discovering your residency
Now the tricky part is, coming up. Actually it's not that damn tricky at all.
First of all, before you go, please ask your parents or someone who knows where you last lived in Taiwan.
NOTE: The place where you are registered might NOT even be your actual residence in Taiwan. There are plenty of people who are registered in one place, but never resided there. Ex,) My friend's nephews were registered at his house, BUT they continuosly resided elsewhere.
So if your parents keep good paperwork records, you will find out where you were last registered.
Once you found out, Please bring two passport photos and your ROC passport. It's that easy.
Photos, are roughly 2 x 2 (Two inches and two inches)
1.) They cannot show TEETH
2.) They must show the shoulders
3.) Also you must see both ears clearly
Once again, I am a big fan of bringing Id documents. It's probably excessive but, better safe than sorry. Bring stuff proving TW citizenship, such as the BIRTH CERTIFICATE.
II.) Getting the ID card.
I haven't personally done this, but I have asked the Taiwan Offices. First of all please go to the household registration offices to apply for your ID card (THIS IS DONE BY DISTRICTS. LIKE HSINYI, WANHUA, DAAN, NEIHU). It's very easy to find the location of the household registration office on google.
Note: For me I need to run ALL the way to Kaoshiung from Taipei to get my shit done. F*CK oh well.....
Also,just go there and tell them you'd like to update your status and apply for a TW ID card.
Paper work will be filled out, and it's probably going to do be done awfully quickly too
Additional Recommendations:
1.) My level of Chinese isn't bad but if yours isn't,bring someone reliable to help you out.
2.) If you don't have records of where you once lived in Taiwan, you might be shit out off luck. However, most of your parents are probably responsible enough to keep records. They probably will have a general idea where you were once registered. You can always call your local household registry office to confirm things.
3.) ALSO NOTE: IF YOU ENTER TAIWAN IN YOUR US OR FOREIGN PASSPORT YOU CANNOT APPLY FOR A TW ID CARD.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
The Important Step
Now I've spent time busting myths. However, Now it's time for the critical steps
First Step: You all know this. Get your ROC passport at the Taiwan Embassy.
To do this it's easy. Fill out a form, Have two passport pics, and also bring in your expired ROC Passport and your Western Speaking Country's passport. Just to be safe bring the citizenship certificate from your home country as well.
So recap
1.) 2 Photos
2.) Expired ROC passport
3.) Foreign passport(Citizenship certificate Just in case), Green Card
4.) Fee of 36 Dollars or 10 dollars for emergency one
** Item Number 3 is the most important for attaining an "Overseas Chinese Stamp" within your ROC passport.
Also remember it will take about 18 Working days for the normal one(Including your overseas Chinese stamp) and 10 working days for the emergency one year valid passport.
NOW this is the Second Step and Possibly the MOST IMPORTANT. FURTHERMORE THIS IS ALSO THE SHIT NO ONE KNOWS OR THEY DO KNOW AND FORGOT ALL ABOUT THE DAMN THING. YOU BETTER APPRECIATE IT CAUSE I LITERALLY LOST SLEEP WITH MY BAD CHINESE FINDING IT FOR YOU.
Step 1: Knowing
a.) Find out where you were once registered in Taiwan.(I mean your household registry). Ask a parent, uncle, cousin, nephew, and find this out because this is vital in getting your TW ID card WHICH you need to attain employment.
b.) Once you find out, go to the household registry. Request an update and tell them you would like to apply for TW ID.(I dunno how long this process takes so don't ask but this is all I know. If you know more don't stand there like a dumb shit or call me a dumb shit. Just contribute useful information).
Also ask them to give you a copy of your household registry. In chinese it's a something book.
ex.) If you were young and lived in Taipei City's Hsinyi District and were registered there, you would go to Taipei, Hsinyi District Household registration office to apply for your ID. Now, I already own a house in Taiwan. But for those you whose parents moved out, bring in a rental contract and possibly a housing deed, or some sort of tax record just to be safe.
Step 2: Military Service Office: I CANNOT STRESS the importance of this step enough. AFter you get your TW ID card, you will need to head to your LOCAL military service office. (Bing Yi Ke)
ex.) Same thing if you have household registry in Hsinyi District Taipei, Go to the Military Service office there to handle this business of attaining permission to leave the country.
1.) Current ROC passport with Overseas Chinese status in it.
2.) Current Foreign Passport
3.) Taiwanese ID card
4.) A red ink stamp(might not be needed)
5.) Your college Diploma
6.) A printed record of your residency.
Safety: You can never have too much ID so bring stuff that helps too. Like Citizenship certificate.
You will need THESE items for the Military Service Department to grant you permission to leave every four months and to get your exit permit from the Immigration department. So please don't fuck up on this step.
Oh yeah I typed this while I was damn tired. If i sound cracked out well it's for a VERRY good reason. I will spruce this entry up. Til then enjoy.
First Step: You all know this. Get your ROC passport at the Taiwan Embassy.
To do this it's easy. Fill out a form, Have two passport pics, and also bring in your expired ROC Passport and your Western Speaking Country's passport. Just to be safe bring the citizenship certificate from your home country as well.
So recap
1.) 2 Photos
2.) Expired ROC passport
3.) Foreign passport(Citizenship certificate Just in case), Green Card
4.) Fee of 36 Dollars or 10 dollars for emergency one
** Item Number 3 is the most important for attaining an "Overseas Chinese Stamp" within your ROC passport.
Also remember it will take about 18 Working days for the normal one(Including your overseas Chinese stamp) and 10 working days for the emergency one year valid passport.
NOW this is the Second Step and Possibly the MOST IMPORTANT. FURTHERMORE THIS IS ALSO THE SHIT NO ONE KNOWS OR THEY DO KNOW AND FORGOT ALL ABOUT THE DAMN THING. YOU BETTER APPRECIATE IT CAUSE I LITERALLY LOST SLEEP WITH MY BAD CHINESE FINDING IT FOR YOU.
Step 1: Knowing
a.) Find out where you were once registered in Taiwan.(I mean your household registry). Ask a parent, uncle, cousin, nephew, and find this out because this is vital in getting your TW ID card WHICH you need to attain employment.
b.) Once you find out, go to the household registry. Request an update and tell them you would like to apply for TW ID.(I dunno how long this process takes so don't ask but this is all I know. If you know more don't stand there like a dumb shit or call me a dumb shit. Just contribute useful information).
Also ask them to give you a copy of your household registry. In chinese it's a something book.
ex.) If you were young and lived in Taipei City's Hsinyi District and were registered there, you would go to Taipei, Hsinyi District Household registration office to apply for your ID. Now, I already own a house in Taiwan. But for those you whose parents moved out, bring in a rental contract and possibly a housing deed, or some sort of tax record just to be safe.
Step 2: Military Service Office: I CANNOT STRESS the importance of this step enough. AFter you get your TW ID card, you will need to head to your LOCAL military service office. (Bing Yi Ke)
ex.) Same thing if you have household registry in Hsinyi District Taipei, Go to the Military Service office there to handle this business of attaining permission to leave the country.
1.) Current ROC passport with Overseas Chinese status in it.
2.) Current Foreign Passport
3.) Taiwanese ID card
4.) A red ink stamp(might not be needed)
5.) Your college Diploma
6.) A printed record of your residency.
Safety: You can never have too much ID so bring stuff that helps too. Like Citizenship certificate.
You will need THESE items for the Military Service Department to grant you permission to leave every four months and to get your exit permit from the Immigration department. So please don't fuck up on this step.
Oh yeah I typed this while I was damn tired. If i sound cracked out well it's for a VERRY good reason. I will spruce this entry up. Til then enjoy.
Thursday, October 1, 2009
Knowing is Half the Battle, More myths busted
So now you know if you were ever born in Taiwan, you may NOT hide behind the Eagle on your United States Passport or The lion on your UK, Carey Price or Patrick Roy on your Canadian one, A kangaroo or a Wallaby on your Aussie one, a Zebra on your SA one, or A man doing a sheep on your NZ one.
But all jokes aside(if you thought that was funny GREAT if not oh well kiss my fried rice eating ass)lets bust some more myths
Myth: OH shit I can never enter with my Taiwan Passport.
Fact: First of all I know for a fact if you do this, you will send shockwaves through your family and I mean SHOCKWAVES. They will say, "Wtf does this guy want military service?". One you can get an TW passport that has a big ol stamp that says "Overseas Chinese""
橋居" in it. Now if you are an ROC national without a green card or a citizenship in another country, then you're shit out off luck in getting this. But back on point, yes if you get this stamp, you will not be hauled off to the army.
Fun Facts: Remember when you go get your OVerseas Chinese TW passport, do it at your De-facto TW embassy. In case your are very very dense or idiotic, please just type "(Your country's name) Taipei Cultural Economic Office" in your favorite search Engines search field. (most use google now but I heard Webcrawler, Altavista, and lycos are still around) and boom there it is.
Another Myth is you can only undergo this process in your home country. That's not true but, it's JUST BETTER. I'll give you Reasons why.
1.) One it is your home country and the restrictions are probably no where as strict as Taiwan.
2.) keep in mind a lot of TECOs probably run into guys that are concerned about military service more frequently. So they probably will be more lenient in dealing with you.
3.) I dunno but I think the process is much more complicated in Taiwan and it is most likely a pain in the butt.
Myth 2 of the day: Well I have a green card and Overseas chinese Status, So it's all good.
Fact: That highly depends on WHEN you get it. I personally moved to the United States when I was 6. I got my Green Card when I was 11 and my overseas Chinese residency stamp when I was 12. So I am safe. For those of you that get it when you were well into middle school. There can be a lot of issues that are in your way. Also Remember from ages 14 to 18 the YEARS which you turn that age. You cannot be back in Taiwan for a cumulative total of 183 days. So if you pulled off three TW visits of each having 2 months in a span of those four years. You might find yourself in uniform.
Further analysis: Well what does it mean by "Years" Lets say if you were born in 1983, like me.
so from Jan 1997 to Jan 2002, you cannot be in Taiwan for a cumulative stay of 183 days. Hope that clears things up.
Myth 3:Oh no I went over 4 months, I am so screwed.....
Fact: Relax no you're not. You can only go over 4 months two times. Even those born after 1984 can go over 4 months twice.
Further fact: THOSE OF YOU BORN AFTER 1984 BE CAREFUL. YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO RESIDE IN TAIWAN FOR 183 DAYS of a YEAR CUMULATIVELY. DON'T THINK YOU CAN come here 6 months consecutively EVERY YEAR, cause YOU CAN'T.
You can only do that TWICE. For those of you born before 1984 you're an old man in your late 20s. So the government isn't as strict to you as to them.
But all jokes aside(if you thought that was funny GREAT if not oh well kiss my fried rice eating ass)lets bust some more myths
Myth: OH shit I can never enter with my Taiwan Passport.
Fact: First of all I know for a fact if you do this, you will send shockwaves through your family and I mean SHOCKWAVES. They will say, "Wtf does this guy want military service?". One you can get an TW passport that has a big ol stamp that says "Overseas Chinese""
橋居" in it. Now if you are an ROC national without a green card or a citizenship in another country, then you're shit out off luck in getting this. But back on point, yes if you get this stamp, you will not be hauled off to the army.
Fun Facts: Remember when you go get your OVerseas Chinese TW passport, do it at your De-facto TW embassy. In case your are very very dense or idiotic, please just type "(Your country's name) Taipei Cultural Economic Office" in your favorite search Engines search field. (most use google now but I heard Webcrawler, Altavista, and lycos are still around) and boom there it is.
Another Myth is you can only undergo this process in your home country. That's not true but, it's JUST BETTER. I'll give you Reasons why.
1.) One it is your home country and the restrictions are probably no where as strict as Taiwan.
2.) keep in mind a lot of TECOs probably run into guys that are concerned about military service more frequently. So they probably will be more lenient in dealing with you.
3.) I dunno but I think the process is much more complicated in Taiwan and it is most likely a pain in the butt.
Myth 2 of the day: Well I have a green card and Overseas chinese Status, So it's all good.
Fact: That highly depends on WHEN you get it. I personally moved to the United States when I was 6. I got my Green Card when I was 11 and my overseas Chinese residency stamp when I was 12. So I am safe. For those of you that get it when you were well into middle school. There can be a lot of issues that are in your way. Also Remember from ages 14 to 18 the YEARS which you turn that age. You cannot be back in Taiwan for a cumulative total of 183 days. So if you pulled off three TW visits of each having 2 months in a span of those four years. You might find yourself in uniform.
Further analysis: Well what does it mean by "Years" Lets say if you were born in 1983, like me.
so from Jan 1997 to Jan 2002, you cannot be in Taiwan for a cumulative stay of 183 days. Hope that clears things up.
Myth 3:Oh no I went over 4 months, I am so screwed.....
Fact: Relax no you're not. You can only go over 4 months two times. Even those born after 1984 can go over 4 months twice.
Further fact: THOSE OF YOU BORN AFTER 1984 BE CAREFUL. YOU ARE ONLY ALLOWED TO RESIDE IN TAIWAN FOR 183 DAYS of a YEAR CUMULATIVELY. DON'T THINK YOU CAN come here 6 months consecutively EVERY YEAR, cause YOU CAN'T.
You can only do that TWICE. For those of you born before 1984 you're an old man in your late 20s. So the government isn't as strict to you as to them.
Wednesday, September 30, 2009
Busting a Few Myths.
As of February 2009, there will no longer be an issuance of ARCs to dual Nationals in Taiwan.
There are several conditions to this new law.
*Forfeiture of Household Registry
*Proof that Military Service has been completed
Now I know what you are all thinking, but before making rash choices.
Alright now let me start to say this, Taiwanese people are usually very ignorant about these immigration laws and compulsory service Laws. So lets Bust some myths
Myth: I was born in Taiwan, and I have an American citizenship. Therefore they can't bust me
Fact: EHHHHH YOU COULD NOT BE ANYMORE WRONG. ALSO DON'T LISTEN TO YOUR BONEHEAD RELATIVES that always tell you, "Oh you're a US citizen they can't find you". Lets Break this down
a.) In order to apply for American Citizenship, you must present your previous ID. In short once the airport counters input your US ID BOOM your Taiwan ID number shows up RIGHT THERE. Your US passport and your TW ID numbers are intertwined in their computer systems.
b.) The moment you enter with that passport, you are considered "Overseas Chinese" that has residence abroad. Therefore you cannot be drafted immediately unless you establish residency.
Myth 2: Well if I enter on my US passport there is no way. I am not in the ROC system
Fact: Every person born to ROC parents is an ROC citizen. While Takeshi Kaneshiro is not due to the fact he has a Japanese Dad, guess what if you were born in Taiwan to a Taiwanese parent, YOU are an ROC citizen. You are issued an ID number which is FOREVER. You are NEVER out off the system and you never will BE out off the system unless you cancel your citizenship. Pretty much your ID number is for life and just because you are out off the country it doesn't mean you stop being a ROC citizen. When you enter without the ROC Passport, All it means is you can't apply for an ROC ID CARD. IT DOESN'T MEAN YOUR RECORDS ARE WIPED CLEAN. If you leave America for 10 years and come back, are you automatically not a citizen anymore? That's a rhetorical question, the answer is NO.
Myth 3: Oh yeah, I became a US citizen. Therefore I renounced my ex country's citizen so BOO YAH
Fact: NO you didn't. Second of all if you look at the AIT(De facto US embassy) go ahead search up "AIT and Compulsory Military service" in Google. The AIT claims the US DOES not only recognize DUAL CITIZENSHIP, but it would not save you from being dragged into the army should you be called on upon. Not only that the AIT has also clearly stated that you are at the mercy of TAiwan and must comply BY their laws.
Myth 4: Well I am going to be a smart guy and Renounce my ROC citizenship. kekeke
Fact: HAHAHA nice try, because as a male you can only renounce that shit when you finish the army. Oh you still don't want to do the army? Well the alternatives of losing your ROC citizenship are much worse, such as commiting criminal acts or treason. You could also just go to jail too for ducking it. Now that's not worth the hassle is it?
Final Important Reminders: Remember these rules seriously affect you. The best remedy for unpleasant situations is usually AWARENESS of your environment. Remember many of your parents and grandparents or relatives that feed you BS that US citizens can't be drafted, are usually ignorant of TW laws and regulations. I myself have been told stuff like "Oh you can't be drafted because you are a US citizen" No that's wrong and if I wasn't skeptical, I'd probably be in military uniform right now. (That's not a bad THING but I'd rather waste a year doing paper work at the army after I get a graduate degree).
There are several conditions to this new law.
*Forfeiture of Household Registry
*Proof that Military Service has been completed
Now I know what you are all thinking, but before making rash choices.
Alright now let me start to say this, Taiwanese people are usually very ignorant about these immigration laws and compulsory service Laws. So lets Bust some myths
Myth: I was born in Taiwan, and I have an American citizenship. Therefore they can't bust me
Fact: EHHHHH YOU COULD NOT BE ANYMORE WRONG. ALSO DON'T LISTEN TO YOUR BONEHEAD RELATIVES that always tell you, "Oh you're a US citizen they can't find you". Lets Break this down
a.) In order to apply for American Citizenship, you must present your previous ID. In short once the airport counters input your US ID BOOM your Taiwan ID number shows up RIGHT THERE. Your US passport and your TW ID numbers are intertwined in their computer systems.
b.) The moment you enter with that passport, you are considered "Overseas Chinese" that has residence abroad. Therefore you cannot be drafted immediately unless you establish residency.
Myth 2: Well if I enter on my US passport there is no way. I am not in the ROC system
Fact: Every person born to ROC parents is an ROC citizen. While Takeshi Kaneshiro is not due to the fact he has a Japanese Dad, guess what if you were born in Taiwan to a Taiwanese parent, YOU are an ROC citizen. You are issued an ID number which is FOREVER. You are NEVER out off the system and you never will BE out off the system unless you cancel your citizenship. Pretty much your ID number is for life and just because you are out off the country it doesn't mean you stop being a ROC citizen. When you enter without the ROC Passport, All it means is you can't apply for an ROC ID CARD. IT DOESN'T MEAN YOUR RECORDS ARE WIPED CLEAN. If you leave America for 10 years and come back, are you automatically not a citizen anymore? That's a rhetorical question, the answer is NO.
Myth 3: Oh yeah, I became a US citizen. Therefore I renounced my ex country's citizen so BOO YAH
Fact: NO you didn't. Second of all if you look at the AIT(De facto US embassy) go ahead search up "AIT and Compulsory Military service" in Google. The AIT claims the US DOES not only recognize DUAL CITIZENSHIP, but it would not save you from being dragged into the army should you be called on upon. Not only that the AIT has also clearly stated that you are at the mercy of TAiwan and must comply BY their laws.
Myth 4: Well I am going to be a smart guy and Renounce my ROC citizenship. kekeke
Fact: HAHAHA nice try, because as a male you can only renounce that shit when you finish the army. Oh you still don't want to do the army? Well the alternatives of losing your ROC citizenship are much worse, such as commiting criminal acts or treason. You could also just go to jail too for ducking it. Now that's not worth the hassle is it?
Final Important Reminders: Remember these rules seriously affect you. The best remedy for unpleasant situations is usually AWARENESS of your environment. Remember many of your parents and grandparents or relatives that feed you BS that US citizens can't be drafted, are usually ignorant of TW laws and regulations. I myself have been told stuff like "Oh you can't be drafted because you are a US citizen" No that's wrong and if I wasn't skeptical, I'd probably be in military uniform right now. (That's not a bad THING but I'd rather waste a year doing paper work at the army after I get a graduate degree).
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