The Personnel Affairs Bureau in the Executive Yuan has established new procedures for elementary school teachers wishing to leave the country as tourists. From now on, exit applications by elementary school teachers wishing to leave the country as tourists during summer and winter vacations may be processed directly by the schools in which they teach rather than being reviewed by the various agencies previously involved. The new procedures are consistent with the simplified procedures already in effect for teachers at the high school level and above.

International Toll-Free Telephone Service Initiated

The International Tele-communications Administration, in cooperation with the firm Service 800 S.A. of Switzerland, has made international toll-free dialing available to telephone users in the Republic of China. Domestic users can now dial overseas toll-free numbers directly, facilitating them in making hotel reservations, purchasing airplane tickets, ascertaining foreign exchange rates, or ordering products.

Domestic customers who wish to use this service must first obtain approval, via the Service 800 office on Taiwan, from the toll-free accounts they wish to make use of in the U.S., Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, Australia, or Western Europe. They should then request the ITA to install a call diverter for the accounts at the administration. After obtaining approval from the relevant accounts a second time, the user may begin using the service (restricted to touch-tone telephones only).

When domestic telephone users make use of the service, the cost of their international calls will be paid by the relevant toll-free account. Those wishing to apply should call (02) 344-3772 for an application form and then return it to Window 9, No. 28, Hangchow S. Rd., Sec. 1, Taipei.

Three-Month Multiple Entry Visas Issued to R.O.C. Citizens Going to South Africa to Inspect and Observe Businesses

South Africa has decided to issue multiple entry visas valid for three months to all R.O.C. citizens going to South Africa for the first time to inspect and observe businesses. After the three months have expired they may apply for an extension or, if required, for permission for temporary residence of one year.

Local businessmen considering investing in South Africa have reported to the R.O.C. Ministry of Economic Affairs that officials at South African airports have sometimes granted them stays of only fourteen days, even though they have received three-month multiple entry visas from South African embassy to the R.O.C.

The South African side has explained that the problem is caused by a misunderstanding in communication. When entry officials ask them how long they intend to remain in the country, if R.O.C. citizens answer about a week, then the officials grant them permission to stay fourteen days, a decision which is quite reasonable as it stands but which overlooks the question of whether they may wish to return to South Africa later.

As a result, South Africa has notified its immigration desks that R.O.C. citizens going to South Africa to inspect and observe businesses are permitted to stay for three months under multiple entry visas. At the same time, when asked how long they intend to stay in the country, R.O.C. citizens are requested to answer three months to avoid creating similar difficulties in the future.