Taiwan for Regular Tourists: My Expensive Screw-ups, Your Ultimate Survival Guide!
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Known, I'll make sure it's clear and that everyone can sense my "hard work".
Subject: Planning to visit Taiwan soon? Think twice, friends!
I know there have been a lot of people recently fantasizing about visiting Taiwan, especially from across the strait, due to various reasons (such as individual tourism not being fully liberalized before). But honestly speaking, if you're just planning a simple trip, it’s not the right time now (of course, if you have a special connection with Taiwan and absolutely must go, that's a separate matter).
Why? Because there are just too many pitfalls! (´･_･`)
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Money issues, certification process, and entry procedures can all cause complications.
- Special reminder: Regarding the certification process.
- Some agencies may assure you that they can handle everything if you don't have all necessary documents (for example, lacking proof of employment).
- Severe warning: Never believe them! False materials will lead to serious complications in the future!
- For instance, it could affect your marriage registration or future travel plans with fabricated documentation.
- I've seen worse conditions where ten employees from a single company were scammed by unreliable agents.
- They were cheated out of anywhere from a few thousand to six figures (RMB) per person! Even after reporting to authoritative assistance channels ("001" etc.), cases often remain unresolved.
- It’s not just about losing money but leaving behind potential records causing future trouble; every issue submitted is like adding to a black mark against you!
- Special reminder: Beware of the "special visa" trap.
- I’ve encountered someone who spent over thirty thousand RMB on a so-called "language school visa," only to hear later that "policy changes made it unfeasible." The entire path was never viable!
- I’ve encountered someone who spent over thirty thousand RMB on a so-called "language school visa," only to hear later that "policy changes made it unfeasible." The entire path was never viable!
- Special reminder: Regarding the certification process.
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Bottom line: Unless absolutely necessary, wait a while.
- It’s everyday occurrences for industry pros (those engaged long-term in tourism or certification matters), let alone laypersons unfamiliar with the intricacies involved.
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One more bizarre anecdote for emphasis:
- Severe warning: Beware of those who take your money without delivering or give false documents near deadline.
- A friend paid an agency to process their application, only for it to drag on until departure was imminent. It resulted in being given incorrect documentation.
- To make things worse, the provided document had another person’s information! All flights and hotel accommodations were subsequently canceled. o(╥﹏╥)o.
- (Whispered hint: Even business visits that require formal permits can be processed within one week!)
- Severe warning: Beware of those who take your money without delivering or give false documents near deadline.
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This marks the third time writing avoidance guidelines on Xiaohongshu (a social app similar to Instagram; my work serves as a safety guide.)
It's my hope these tips can better prepare others!
希望能帮到你们！(-
-) (I sincerely hope this helps you all! (--)) -
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I've been helping people get into Taiwan for essential travel. If it's for business trips, meeting the parents, seeing your idols, visiting friends, and so on, I can assist.
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Taiwan simply hasn't opened up work opportunities for people from mainland China, so don't even bother thinking about it.
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It was never an option, haha.
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I'm dying to visit mainland China, and here you guys are wanting to come to Taiwan. How boring is that? You'd be better off going to Harbin or somewhere similar on your own.
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The main reason is I have friends in Taiwan and want to get together with them.
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Seriously, don't waste money trying to get a Taiwanese work visa. Taiwan simply hasn't opened up general work visas to mainland China. Anyone who claims they can arrange one is scamming you.
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That kind of thing doesn't exist.
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Accommodation in Taiwan is pretty pricey, you know. But then you have people complaining it's all 'old, run-down, and small'—they might say that, but their actions (still visiting) speak louder than words.
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Well, I actually want to experience that 'old, run-down, and small' vibe.
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Wanting to go to Mayday's New Year's Eve concert – surely that counts as essential, right?
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Actually, towards the end of the year, most visitors are here for their idols – Jay Chou, A-Mei, Mayday. It really depends on personal preference. A trip to Taiwan is much pricier than other destinations; you really need to be ready to splash some cash.
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Seriously, don't come if you don't have to. You'll just end up wanting to come back all the time, and that's a real pain.
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Hahahaha
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When I had the chance to go, I had no money. Now that I have a little bit of cash, I can't go.
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If you find a reliable contact and have the funds, you can still make it happen, haha.
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So, does that mean you have to be an international student? Or have a foreign green card? Can it be processed from mainland China? What kind of documents do they mainly check? What about for a study tour or as a visiting scholar – would that count as being an international student?
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No, that doesn't count.
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OP, are you Taiwanese?
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I'm Minnanese.