Job Discussion Forums

[ghost]

Hi folks

Waiting to hear from a High school for a job offer.

If they do not select me for the job, is it possible to just come to Taiwan on a tourist visa and look for work in Taiwan, and then do the paperwork in a neighboring country, or otherwise? Flying back to North America would not be an option.

A few questions:

1. How much do cheap hotels cost in Taiwanese cities? Is it possible to find hotels or guest houses which cost around $10 - $12 per night or less?

2. Is it possible to rent a place on a monthly basis while looking for work?

3. Which cities do you recommend for work in Taiwan? Taipei might be too big and polluted for my liking.

4. In general, do you think it is better to accept a job online (through Dave's) or to come over to Taiwan and look for work there?

My credentials include: B.A., B.Ed., Teacher Certified, M.A., Post Graduate Certificate in T.E.S.L.

Please note, my degrees include a B.Ed. and Certified Teacher Credentials.

Thanks for the feedback, as it is stressful to decide what to do.

[timmyjames1976]

Hi,

I have been researching the same questions that you have. As far as the visa thing goes, I think that is what most people do. You really shouldn't sign a contract when you are not in the country, so you will need to be there in order to sign. To get in you will need to do the tourist visa route (from what I understand).

Most people on here would say that you should be in Taiwan to find a good job in Taiwan. Again, I am a newbie so I have to take their word.

As far as hostels/hotels go you can look on several sites and compare. I have a link on my site to HostelWorld. You can check out prices and whatnot through them.

[clark.w.griswald]

[Aristotle]

Yes, you should but no, you can't.
Don't ask why that answer makes any sense because it doesn't but neither do the Taiwan government regulations pertaining to working on Taiwan.
The vast majority of people who come to Taiwan to work, come in on a tourist visa. The exception being the migrant workers.
Yes, it is illegal but it is just about the only realistic way to get an ARC as a " Dirty Foreigner" on Taiwan. Even the foreign Ambassadors and directors of national representative offices are forced to get their ARC's in this manner because of Taiwan government prejudice, racism, incompetence and corruption.
The ill-reputed Ministry of Education (MOE) on Taiwan employs foreign teachers in public schools with a tourist visa.
The local "Council of Labor Affairs" (CLA) in charge of issuing ARC's to foreign nationals will not give the "Ministry of Foreign Affairs" (MOFA) the authority to issue ARC's to people outside of Taiwan. The migrant labor industry on Taiwan has shown that issuing ARC's is a very lucrative business.
If you get caught working on a tourist visa it is entirely up to the officer in charge of your case to determine if you are legal or illegal based on that officers personal interpretation of the law in that particular instance. There is no judicial oversight in cases of this nature and the officers in charge are free to ignore or uphold the regulations and laws as they see fit on that particular day.
Welcome to Taiwan.
A.

[clark.w.griswald]

[puiwaihin]

It is absolutely legal to come and look for work. It is even legal to sign a contract with a school (unlike in Hong Kong where entering into a work agreement is illegal). The question is really whether or not it is legal to work while waiting for your work permit to be processed. That's the grey area.

But while working while waiting for the permit is not clearly legal, it is standard practice by the government. Just keep your head down and nose clean during this period so not to force someone to interpret a law.

[clark.w.griswald]

[matchstick_man]

You can but a 60 day tourist visa would be better as once you've found a job you may not have to leave the island. It also gives you more time to shop around for the job that is right for you.