British Office Taipei

I called the British Office as a British National asking for assistance and advice after I was attacked in the street. The consular official was rude, disinterested and dismissive. He refused to help or provide even scant advice on what to do next. I won’t recommend any British National seek assistance at this office and if this is how they treat people in some difficulty goodness knows how they treat people wanting a new passport!

I am absolutely disgusted with the British Office in Taipei. All I wanted was some information and I most certainly did not expect the unfriendly, unhelpful response and rudeness I received. Firstly the receptionist refused to allow me entrance stating I had no appointment. Secondly she refused to assist me in making one. Then she told me to phone consular services. I had to ask 3 times for the number bearing in mind I was standing in the lobby of the building after riding there from Beitou in the rain. She refused to confirm the address. Then I had to ask several times for her name before she mumbled something; I think it was Cherie. THIS WOMAN SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWED TO REPRESENT THE BRITISH GOVERNMENT IN ANY WAY AND SHOULD BE REPLACED IMMEDIATELY BY SOMEONE WITH A BETTER ATTITUDE! Then I had to stand in the lobby on my phone for close to twenty minutes more than ten of which I was put on hold. You can imagine how I feel when all I wanted was some advice on how to get some documents from the UK to register my marriage to my Taiwanese partner and I was dismissed, lied to, and generally treated like a piece of garbage! I will be making a formal complaint to the foreign office in london! Philip Brian Allen - British citizen

I was in trouble and may have had to leave the country, I needed documents to assist in my dealings with the government here, they went above and beyond in trying to help me and I am very grateful for that. I was worried because of previous negative comments but my experience was quite the opposite. I had a real problem and they facilitated me to fix it in less than 48 hour. Really happy. Thanks.to all involved.

The staff shouted at me when I called for help. I didn’t do anything, but asked them whether they could provide some advice for my situation. What a nice experience …

I wish it was possible to give zero stars. An absolute joke of a place. I’m a British citizen with an emergency consular situation and I wanted to speak to someone to get some advice. Apparently you can only speak to someone by making an appointment, however, I wasn’t allowed to make an appointment. I was given a phone number which connected to an international switchboard, the person on the other end of the phone had no clue about Taiwan-UK current visa situation and eventually hung up the phone on me. I genuinely couldn’t believe it. Called the reception for the British Office again (I had to call 5 times in total to get absolutely no information) to make an appointment, but again I was denied. How can a British citizen not be able to make an emergency appointment with their own consular office during a pandemic? They literally try their best NOT to help you. Unbelievable.

I agree. The people at the British Trade and Culture Office here in Taipei, Taiwan, are being paid a lot of money for doing absolutely nothing. It's a disgrace! No one knows anything there and transfer you from one answer machine to another. What are they so busy doing that they can't speak to a person who requires assistance ?

I was surprised that after finally getting through on the telephone that I was first informed rather haughtily that it was an ‘emergency line’ before even telling them my problem. I was then directed to a website and reminded not to darken their door again. Whoever is on charge of the telephones needs either retraining or a holiday. It concerns me that, as a British National, should the worst ever happen it would be very difficult to find any assistance.

**The British embassy in Taiwan has no authority to issue any document of significance. As a result, the staff have no knowledge, training or desire to help you. They're there to keep up appearances only.** When I visited the building where the embassy is located, I couldn't get in until the embassy gave a thumbs up to the building's security. I had to call the office myself and ask for permission to come up. They actively avoided meeting with me face-to-face until I got agitated and insisted they let me up. I assumed maybe they were busy, but it wasn't the case. When I entered the embassy, it looked as if I had disturbed them from napping or chatting. My query was regarding acquiring a single status certificate, a document that an embassy can absolutely issue. They had no idea what I was referring to. Instead of giving me facts, they gave me their opinion... the short version nonetheless (sighs included). Only because I called back home I later found out the embassy in Taiwan has no real power to issue documents of significance. This may be because the UK doesn't officially recognize the government here. Unfortunately, my advice to any British citizen is to fly to Japan or HK and resolve your circumstance there. The embassy is not at fault for not being able to provide documents. Still, they are responsible for their staff and how they conduct themselves.