Any retired expats in Taiwan?

23POSTS

17 years ago

Greetings,

I am a young retiree who has recently relocated to Hualien city in Taiwan. I am Chinese Canadian who has traded in his snow shoes for golf shoes. I have thoroughly enjoyed my thirty seven years in the great white north, but it is time to be closer to my roots where the climate is much milder all year round. Although I do speak Mandarin, not very well of course, I still feel like an outsider sometimes, well, most of the time. Guess it will take time to adjust, but as most of you know, old habits are hard to break, and having lived in one of the best countries of the world, we do take many things for granted; well, not anymore.
Obviously many expats here are either teaching or just working on a temporary basis. I do enjoy reading and learning from your experiences. But I am also interested in hearing from those who are committed to call this home for the foreseeable future, and if there are others who are financially secured and have the leisure to knock some little white balls around to kill time......FORE!!!!

JC in Hualien

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Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

16 years ago

Hi John,

Absolutely.
Drop me a note before arriving: bullsalive@gmail.com
I don't dive but I'll treat you to some fresh local catch...

Jack.

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arnie Member

21POSTS

16 years ago

This post is a bit old. I hope you are still monitoring this forum.

I too wish to retire to Taiwan. I am a retired American. I go to Taiwan often and love every place I have visited there. I have been litterally to all points South, East, West Middle and North on the island. Because I have friends in Banciao, I prefer to live in that area.

I see a major hurdle however, obtaining an ARC (Taiwan's equivelent to Amrica's Green Card). I have an adequate retirement income so supporting myself in Taiwan is not an issue. After researching the immigration laws of Taiwan, I don't really see how I can live there on a permanent basis.

Do you have any suggestions? How did you do it?

1 member reacted to this post

Huntersville Member

23POSTS

16 years ago

I too have retired & live in Hsinchu, Taiwan..I got a multiple entry visa in NYC..Good for 60 days then I go & get an extension for another 60 days..They give you 3 extensions then you have to leave. So I zip over to Hong Kong or Macau for & few days, return & start all over again. My wife ( Chinese ) says next time we visit the US to get a good conduct letter ( criminal report ) present it to the authorities here with all the other documentain & then it's good for a year..You'd think with all the money I spend here boosting their economy they'd let me stay forever!
regards Ron

arnie Member

21POSTS

16 years ago

I would think Taiwan would welcome we retirees who indeed could help increase cash flow in Taiwan. I have a comfortable retirement income and would not be a financial burdon to the government of Taiwan.

I noticed that during the Chen Shui Bian presidency, they changed the immigration laws making it more difficult to immigrate. It used to be that if you had at an annual income of at least two times the national average, you could immigrate and obtain an ARC. Unfortunately, I no longer see that provision in their immigration rules.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

16 years ago

Hi Arnie,

Like Huntersville, I'm married to a Taiwanese girl and that helps. I was able to get a one year multiple entries, and then a three year. After five years, I will be able to get a permanent resident status. What is more important, is that after four months of arrival, I could apply for the National health care which costs about $20us a month, but includes prescriptions, dental, and Traditional Chinese medicine.
Taiwanese immigration officers are quite friendly, talk to them and ask what your options are. Contact your nearest Taiwan trade office in the US, and good luck.

JC

arnie Member

21POSTS

16 years ago

Thank you for replying to my post.

Are you saying that I could obtain a 1-year, multiple entry visa and then when it expires have it upgraded to a 3-year visa? And then if I stay for one more year (making a total of 5 years) I would be eligible for permanent resident status?

Unfortunately I am not married to a Taiwanese woman. I am a 63-year old widower and don't plan on remarrying.

I am in Rochester, NY between Buffalo and Syracuse. The closest Taiwan pseudo embassy in in NY City, 600 miles away. There is one in Toronto Canada which is only a 3-hour drive. Not sure if I could use that one.

I really don't understand why they make it so difficult if I have sufficient financial resources so as not to be a burden on the government. I definitely don't plan on taking anyone's job away either. I just want to while away my retirement years in beautiful Taiwan.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

16 years ago

Hi Arnie,

Taiwan is a country and like all countries, they all have policies on immigration. I think it is a lot more difficult getting a green card in the US than obtaining residency in Taiwan. Again, consult Taiwanese officials near you. Call them from where you are or email them.
Good luck.

JC

Springbee Active member

25POSTS

16 years ago

#10

Hey JC,

I am looking forward to join you in the near future! I so envy you!!! I have a few more moons to go and truly looking forward to live in Motherland. Like you, Im ready to trade in my snow boots for golf shoe. I speak fluently Taiwanese (rustic Mandarin) and a pretty hard core right-wing green monster that were not born and raised in Taiwan but visits families every year throughout my life. Home is here in the U.S. but my root is there. Dont get me wrong, Im ready to take arms to defend fatherland here but the sweet smell of motherland is a whole different thing.

Hualien! Nice!!!

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

16 years ago

#11

give me some notice if you come to Hualien, we can have a few beers together....

JC

Springbee Active member

25POSTS

16 years ago

#12

Sure will! I may have a few things to learn from you.

Thanks!

debkreis Member

3POSTS

11 years ago

#13

Hi
Did you end up retiring in Taiwan? I'm 56 and planning on moving to Taichung for a few years and teaching to see how I like it. I would love to have some advice from you.
Debra

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

11 years ago

#14

Hi Deb,

Yes, I've been in Hualien for over five years now, and other than a few nuances, I'm very happy here.
Taiwan overall is very friendly towards foreigners, and sometimes we even receive preferential treatments from locals.
Personally I prefer the east coast for the cleaner air and open space, and the slower pace.
I've kept a blog since I came here in 2009, which has a lot of info with pictures and videos: http://hualien-jc.blogspot.tw/
Native English speaking teachers are very much in demand here, and compensation is quite attractive especially if you do private one on one tutoring. Obviously there is a disparity between wages here and in the US, but cost of living is considerably lower here, especially in the smaller cities.
Here is the link to a FB ad of a local private school: https://www.facebook.com/rcsmps/posts/2 … nref=story

Email me if you wish to keep in touch, or if you need anything at all.

Jack

debkreis Member

3POSTS

11 years ago

#15

Hi Jack
Thanks so much for the response and all the helpful information. The more research I do the more committed I am to coming. I I'm thinking about Taichang but I'm open to other possibilities. I'm thinking about not taking a contract and just coming since I have ample money to set up a life and look for a jjob. This way I won't get stuck in something I don't want to do. I definitely will take a look at your blog. Thanks Debra

hauthomme Contributor

137POSTS

10 years ago

#16

Hi JC,

We're basically in the same boat except I don't golf. And I believe you're on a better pension due to having had enough residency in Canada. I'm one of those Cdns who left too early and now don't qualify for OAS.
C'est la vie.
Hwalien is serene but a bit scary for the frequency of quakes. Feel free to tell me more about your years in the Great White North.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

10 years ago

#17

I'm used to the quakes now, no big deal. I'm an avid tennis player and there is a very active tennis community here. I've been here seven years now and love it. I visit Canada every summer and to be honest, summer months are the only time that is comfortable. The cold and damp really sucks.

hauthomme Contributor

137POSTS

10 years ago

#18

Agreed. July and Aug. are the only time to be in western Canada.
I actually came in second in a weekend tourney among friends in my younger days...yeah...I love the sport but spent too much time on it in retrospect.
Take care.

hauthomme Contributor

137POSTS

10 years ago

#19

Hi again.
I doubt that you'd be motivated to come to Taipei but if you happen to get the chance, let's meet for coffee.
My Line ID: hauthomme.
I have been writing articles for a news website called Eye on Taiwan and am always looking for ideas and inspiration.
By the way not sure if you've ever tried the Loop or Moon Ball which I actually sharpened effectively while at my peak decades ago. The top spun-high projectory would confuse opponents who believe it is an out, when it'd land near the baseline and then bounce sometimes over a wall that is maybe 15 ft. away. One major downside is such technique is very tiring, as Bjorn Borg showed many times.

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#20

Hi , I'm a Canadian who has been living in Taipei for more than 10 years, I started to receive my OAS last July 2016, as you probably know there is no direct deposit agreement with Taiwan and the fees are quite high to deposit a Canadian $ check in your Taiwanese bank accoun t(in NT$) , Well I'm wondering if there is an easier or a cheaper way to deal with this, thanks
Jack

hauthomme Contributor

137POSTS

9 years ago

#21

I hear there is direct deposit in HK. You could open an account there but it is not cheaper to access it in Taiwan. The cheaper way is for the agreement to be signed. Good luck.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

9 years ago

#22

Hi,

I'm not quite the age to receive benefits yet, but if I were, I would have the direct deposit to my Canadian bank, and draw cash as I need at local ATMs. That's how I get my cash now and the cost is minimal.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

9 years ago

#23

sorry about the late reply, have not checked in lately.
Yes, I was a Borg fan. The ultra top spins worked back then, but players now are more powerful and hit the ball on the rise thus neutralizing the effectiveness of the spin. Its a power game now. I have to go to the gym everyday to build strength and prevent injuries, and still love the game especially when I manage to beat a pimpled face youngster once in a blue moon.

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#24

Hi I don't know how long you have been out of Canada but if you are a Taiwan resident you can't be also a Canadian resident. If you are not a Canadian Resident or you don't have a fix address in Canada you can't open a bank account in Canada, or if you have one you will have to pay taxes in Canada which is something I don't want.

hauthomme Contributor

137POSTS

9 years ago

#25

But a Cdn resident who has left Canada to live in Taiwan could still have his Canadian bank account.

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#26

If you're a Canadian Resident what's your status in Taiwan??? You said you live in Taiwan, well you need an ARC or an APRC like me so if you have that, it means you are a Taiwan resident so you can't be a Resident in Canada in the same time that's very simple you CAN'T be a Resident at 2 places in the same time???

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#27

By the way sometimes people confuse citizenship and residency,

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#28

By the way sometimes people confuse citizenship and residency,

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

9 years ago

#29

Unless /until you declare a non resident, you will always be a resident of Canada even if you have residency outside of Canada. Citizenship is a different story. Canada allows dual citizenship but Taiwan does not.
I'm a Canadian citizen, resident of Canada, and I also have my APRC in Taiwan. I'll never be a Taiwanese citizen unless I give up my Canadian citizenship.

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#30

Officially you CAN'T be a Resident in Canada and Taiwan in the same time that's why they have the 183 days clause so it means if you are officially living in Taiwan for example (you must if you have an APRC) it means that you are living 183 days or more in Taiwan. So it means you are living in Canada 182 days or less which means you are NOT an official Resident of Canada regarding taxes etc. Now I think you don't understand the simple concept of living somewhere means you reside there you are a Resident regarding the law. How CAN you live at 2 places in the same time?

hauthomme Contributor

137POSTS

9 years ago

#31

Does anybody keep track of a Canadian Living in Taiwan? if not then who knows if a Canadian is living in Taiwan as a resident?

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#32

Like I said before the concept on dual residency doesn't exist officially on paper

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#33

Just curious, you must pay taxes in Canada if you are still a Resident?

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#34

Well it's when you get some benefits like pension or regarding income tax the residency becomes relevant.

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#35

Well if you don't want to pay taxes in Canada the answer is NO, because if you have a bank account there means you have an address there so you are considered a resident.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

9 years ago

#36

My accountant has advised me that even I physically live overseas more than 6 months a year, I must adhere to the Canadian tax law, and only if I declare non resident status will I be exempt from Canadian taxation. Non resident meaning severing all ties to Canada, such as closing bank accounts, memberships, driver license, etc etc.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

9 years ago

#37

one must declare non resident of Canada in order to be exempt, otherwise no matter where and how long we live abroad, we are still a resident of Canada and subject to all back taxes.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

9 years ago

#38

I file every tax season.

Retired in Hualien Member

23POSTS

9 years ago

#39

hate to beat on a dead horse, one has to declare non resident of Canada in order to be exempt, otherwise upon a tax audit, one will be liable for all back taxes plus penalty.

Jchoiniere Member

15POSTS

9 years ago

#40

Now it makes more sense, if you read my previous comments I said I didnt want to pay taxes in Canada anymore, so when I left Canada I cut all my ties to become a non-resident. Then I became a resident in Taiwan. On your side you didn't do that so you are still a resident in Canada. Now when you applied for residency,APRC, here in Taiwan they must have ask you about your residency status in Canada? Like I said before they ask you about the 183 days to determine your residency first.