American Institute in Taiwan — Attraction in Taipei

People: Amazingly friendly and courteous service

Facilitiy: Well organized, efficient, and clean

Toilets: The restroom is the most American thing at AIT since all the fixtures are typically found in an American restroom (they probably had to buy from American companies),

The only bathroom in Taiwan with "American standard" and Sloan fixtures... including the restroom stalls with big gaps. Literally the worst part of American restrooms, but was super clean. With American flushing power of a jet engine. Will poop here again.

Information: After getting my Single Affidavit completed here, I was advised to go to MOFA. The AIT website also says to go to MOFA. Well, I went to MOFA and they said to go to BOCA. The information NEEDS to be updated so less people run into this exact issue. This is so common that MOFA has a little handout to redirect people over to BOCA.

Other notes: The staff was very kind and informative. They congratulated me for my upcoming marriage since I was getting the single affidavit. The place was run very efficiently and which is surprising for an AMERICAN government facility.

This was my 2nd visit to AIT and on my previous visit I had my US Passport renewed here. Comparing this experience to the Passport office in Los Angeles, this was heaven. Go to the office in LA if you want to see an absolute disaster where you are waiting for hours while paying...

The way things are done here are disgusting.

I'm an American citizen, been in Taiwan for 7 years. I'm a permanent resident (I hold an APRC) married to a wonderful wife from the Philippines who have been in Taiwan longer than me.

I've been wanting to take her back home so she could meet my family and friends but she needs the US visa.

No problem. We had all the required documents/IDs/marriage certificate/itinerary ready.

I had to pay 7000ntd which translate to $210, NON-REFUNDABLE, for them (specifically a blonde lady with a bad attitude) to ask her about 3 question and proceed to deny her visa (already said the hard-earned money was NON-REFUNDABLE)

Other embassies such as the Japanese and Canadian don't require large sums of money and are flexible with the way they treat their candidates.

The US embassy in Taiwan HAS to fix their disgusting way to deal with people and find better employees that can do the screening process accurately, instead of denying 9 of 10 appliers and stealing...

After you make your appointment -- plan for a week or so wait -- its your pretty standard DMV experience. Go to window one, get a number, go to window two, pay, etc. A few notable items though. First, make an appointment. I think they do emergency appointments, but just plan in advance to avoid mafan. They will check at the door that you have an appointment. Second, you'll have to leave your phone/tablet at the guards station. Third, the passport office is on the third floor. I'm guessing there's an elevator somewhere for those that need it, but you're directed to the stairs. Finally, US passports require a different size photo than what's indicated at photo booths. I had a few "passport" sized pix and none were adequate. They have a photo booth on the first floor near the exit, but it's fussy about bills and probably better to go to the Family Mart across the lane to get change and your photo. It's also 50 NT cheaper at Family. All together, though, the AIT staff is friendly and...