在天與地之間揮灑自如

CANADIAN GOVERNMENT CONTACTS

You can obtain consular assistance and further consular information at the following address:

Taiwan - TAIPEI, Trade Office of Canada
Address: 5F & 6F, Hua-Hsin (citibank building), No. 1 SongZhi Road, Xinyi District, Taipei 11047, Taiwan
Tel.: 886 (2) 8723-3000
Fax: 886 (2) 8723-3590
E-Mail: tapei@international.gc.ca
Internet: http://www.canada.org.tw/taiwan/menu.aspx

For emergency assistance after hours, call the Trade Office of Canada in Taipei and follow the instructions. To place a collect call to the Emergency Operations Centre in Ottawa, Canada, call “Canada Collect” toll-free from Taiwan at 00-801-120-012 and follow the instructions to speak with an operator. The operator can place a collect call on your behalf directly to the Operations Centre at 613-996-8885.



TRAVEL HEALTH

The Public Health Agency of Canada and the World Health Organization (WHO) report on disease outbreaks that occur throughout the world. For the latest travel health advisories and related information, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada’s Travel Health Web site.

The Public Health Agency of Canada strongly recommends that your travel plans include contacting a travel medicine clinic or physician six to eight weeks before departure. Based on your individual risk assessment, a health care professional can determine your need for immunizations and/or preventive medication and advise you on precautions to avoid disease. Travellers are reminded to ensure that their routine (childhood) immunizations (e.g., tetanus, diphtheria, polio, and measles) are up to date.

Standards of medical care may differ from those in Canada. Treatment may be expensive, and payment in advance may be required. Travellers are advised to arrange for medical insurance prior to departure. Prescription medications should be kept in the original container and packed in carry-on luggage.

The Public Health Agency of Canada also recommends that travellers who become sick or feel unwell on their return to Canada seek a medical assessment with their personal physician. Travellers should inform their physician that they have been travelling or living outside of Canada.


ADDITIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION

Medical facilities in Taiwan are adequate for routine and emergency medical procedures. Some medical clinics or hospitals may have English speaking staff. Travellers should be aware that up front payment is often required for any treatment. It is highly recommended to obtain travel insurance which includes coverage for emergency medical repatriation to Canada as these costs are quite substantial from Taiwan.

Typhoid and yellow fever vaccines are not available in Taiwan. Though these vaccinations are not required for Taiwan, travellers planning to travel to other countries where these vaccines are recommended should ensure to obtain proper immunization prior to travelling to Taiwan.



LAWS AND CUSTOMS

You are subject to local laws. A serious violation may lead to a jail or death sentence. The sentence will be served in local prisons.

Canadians arrested or detained have the right to contact the responsible Canadian government office (embassy, high commission, etc.) listed in Section 5 above. Arresting officials have a responsibility to assist you in doing so. Canadian consular officials can provide a list of local lawyers upon request.

The procedures required in legal proceedings or police investigations may be different from the procedures in force in the Canadian legal system. Canadians wishing to undertake such proceedings can expect to face long delays and additional efforts in order to resolve their case. The Government of Canada cannot intervene in ongoing legal proceedings in other countries or regions, unless requested to do so by local authorities. Such requests are rare.

Canadians in Taiwan involved in litigation are forbidden from leaving Taiwan until the dispute is settled. Litigation is often a lengthy process and local authorities will not accept bonds or deposit to guarantee court appearances.

Drug and narcotic related offences are extremely serious offences in Taiwan and may be punishable by death.

Men between the ages of 18 and 45 who hold a Taiwanese passport or who were born in Taiwan may be subject to compulsory military service. It is imperative that such persons contact the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Ottawa before visiting Taiwan. Dual nationals who visit Taiwan on their Canadian passport may also be required to perform compulsory military service. Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada publishes a booklet, Dual Citizenship: What Travellers Should Know, specifically targeted at Canadians with dual nationality.


TRAVEL AND CURRENCY

Traffic congestion is severe in urban areas.

Driving habits in Taiwan are often more erratic and reckless than in Canada. Driving or riding motorcycles is dangerous and should be avoided, even by experienced motorcyclists. Substandard road conditions and local disregard for traffic laws result in frequent accidents. Several foreigners have been involved in accidents that caused serious and even fatal injuries. Motorcycles and scooters weave in and out of traffic. Pedestrians should always exercise caution when crossing the road. Those planning to drive a vehicle or a motorcycle in Taiwan should remain aware of their surroundings at all times while driving. Mountain roads are narrow, winding, and poorly banked. The use of cellular phones while driving is strictly prohibited.

Taxi drivers tend to speak little or no English or French and it is recommended that you have your destination written in Chinese.

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The currency is the New Taiwan dollar. Credit cards are accepted in many shops, restaurants, and hotels in major cities, but are not widely recognized elsewhere. Foreign currency and traveller's cheques can be exchanged at most major banks and hotels.

Check with your bank for information on automated banking machine (ABM) services outside Canada. You can also check the VISA ATM locator page or the MasterCard ATM locator page for the addresses of ABMs around the world. Verify with your financial institution whether your bank card can be used with ABMs abroad. Some countries use chip and/or personal identification number (PIN) technology for credit cards. Check with your bank to find out if your credit card will be accepted abroad. Credit cards and debit cards should be used with caution due to the potential for fraud and other criminal activity. ABMs should be used during business hours inside a bank, supermarket, or large commercial building. Leave copies of your card numbers with a family member in case of emergency.

NATURAL DISASTERS AND CLIMATE

Taiwan is located in an active seismic zone. Strong earthquakes measuring between 4 and 7 on the Richter scale have occurred. Canadians should always carry the address and telephone number of the Canadian Trade Office in Taipei in the event of an emergency.

The rainy (or monsoon) season extends from May to June. Severe rainstorms can cause flooding and landslides. Typhoons (tropical cyclones) usually occur between May and November. These storms can result in significant loss of life, extensive damage to infrastructure and can hamper the provision of essential services. Travellers should keep informed of regional weather forecasts, avoid disaster areas and follow the advice of local authorities. See our Global Issues page for information on typhoons and monsoons.


ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

Returning to Canada

Traveller's Checklist

Health and Travel Insurance: Do not rely on your provincial health plan to cover all expenses if you get sick or are injured while abroad. It may cover nothing or only a portion of the costs. Understand the terms of your supplementary insurance policy. Some credit cards offer their holders health and travel insurance. Do not assume the card alone provides adequate coverage. Carry details of your insurance with you. Also, tell your travel agent, a friend or relative, and/or travelling companion how to contact your insurer. Get a detailed invoice from the doctor or hospital before you return to Canada. Always submit original receipts for any medical services or prescriptions received abroad. Most insurance companies will not accept copies or faxes.

Cancelling a scheduled trip abroad could cost you money. Before cancelling a scheduled trip, you should discuss the matter with your travel agent, your travel insurer, or the airline. The decision to travel is the sole responsibility of the traveller.

Teaching English in Taiwan: Contracts to teach English (arranged by recruiters in Canada) should be carefully reviewed before being signed. Ensure all terms and conditions of employment are clearly stated in the contract before accepting an offer. Written contracts are usually binding documents. Verbal agreements may in certain circumstances take precedence over written agreements. English teachers should always ensure to obtain proper work permits prior their arrival in Taiwan.

Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada published a guide, Teaching English in Taiwan (on-line only), to provide Canadians with basic information on this subject.

Adoption: Provincial and territorial authorities in Canada are responsible for authorizing international adoptions. If you are thinking of adopting a child abroad, you must first obtain information about the adoption regulations of the province or territory in which the child will reside. While adoption is a provincial/territorial responsibility, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is responsible for allowing an adopted child entry into Canada. Entry can be refused if the child does not hold the appropriate immigrant visa. A visa may be denied, even if the adoption has already been completed. For more information contact CIC at 1 888 242-2100 (in Canada only), check the CIC Web site or contact your provincial or territorial government.