Job Discussion Forums

Ki · Joined: 23 Jul 2004 Posts: 475

"on Taiwan" Ahhh...... Now it is all starting to make sense.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

In order to obtain a work permit to work as a foreign teacher of English in Taiwan, foreigners must meet the government�s requirements in regard to this.

First it seems important to qualify the class of worker that such foreign teacher can be classified as, as these do vary and the regulations regarding the issuance of work permits may vary between the various classes of teacher.

For this we can look to the Employment Services Act.

wood · Joined: 13 Apr 2004 Posts: 202

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Wood:

You do not need a degree to obtain a work permit and ARC for TEFL'ing in Taiwan.

All one needs is a diploma.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

snowalker · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

Hey guys, since I last put up this post, I have gained a wealth of knowledge on the issue for a Canadian like myself legally obtaining work in Taiwan. I�ll explain it as was told to me from two separate Taiwan Embassies. I can only speak for a Canadian�s though, I�m sure things might be a little different for each country.

First off, there is NO education or experience necessary to work in Taiwan legally. It is absolutely possible to obtain a work permit with NO education; my understanding is that you do not even need a high school diploma. All requirements are set by the schools themselves. This being said while looking for a job you would be competing with those who have higher education and more experience�..so�.. You�ll end up working a lower paying job with terrible hours in schools that may not have a top notch reputation. I was told that most teachers, schools and officials are unaware of this information. I was also told to expect it to be nearly impossible to find any work in government run schools without a decent education�.. Don�t worry because there are plenty of private schools looking to hire.

So�.. Because a lot of schools and authorities don�t realize anyone can obtain a work permit, I was recommended to get my Diploma (In Canada that�s 2 years education) certified and registered as authentic (although technically I don�t need to take this step). This will make things go smoother when it comes time to get my work permit. To do this it�s quite easy, send in the original copy of the diploma and my TESL certificate with a pre-paid envelope, they will be more than happy to certify it for you, I�m told this will only take 2 or 3 business days plus shipping time. On top of this, at the same time, send in your original passport, a few passport photo�s, go to their embassy website and download the application for a visa and fill it out. They will give you a 60 day tourist visa!!!!!!!

Now�. Once you have done this your pretty much set�. But there are a few important details to watch for�. It is �Illegal� although randomly enforced to enter the country with only a one way ticket, you need to have proof of onward travel within the 60 days your visa is valid�.. Once again, what happens is not always what is supposed to happen. I would recommend getting a return ticket anyway� (Thailand is a good idea because you can just show up there without a visa in advance) because once you do find yourself a good job and your ready to sign the contract, the employer will put through all of the paper work to get your work permit, for this to take effect�� and listen closely because this is also a money saver!!!!! You need to leave the country then while out of the country activate your work permit giving you a �residential visa��.. How will this save you money?????? Well with this type of visa you are in the 12% tax bracket compared to the 20% that most people get nailed with� make sure your employer knows you know this!

Than wham!!!!! Your set and ready to legally work in Taiwan� which is great for getting money out of the country bye the way� banks have the right to confiscate funds in accounts that are held by foreigners who do not hold a valid work permit.

These are the facts�.. For a Canadian that is��

It took me FOREVER to pin down the info; everyone has something to say on the topic so I decided to find out for myself!!!!! Anyone who disputes this simply got lucky or is sporting info for a different country or maybe misinterpreting things! Feel free to pm me if you have questions or want some contact info for people to call.

I�m not there yet, the visa is in the mail so hopefully soon!!!!!!!!!!!!! So�.. Lets hope everything will work out like planned� hahahaha!!!!!!!!

I�ll tell everyone when I get there�..

Cheers

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

"miyazaki" has still not posted, ANYWHERE, on ANY thread, the government regulation that states that a Taiwanese government work permit to teach English is granted with only a "diploma".

NOWHERE has she proved this with a link to a government or other official regulation. She just repeats her nonsense over and over and over and over.... Who would believe her? And of course, she refuses to state what she means by the word "diploma". A high school diploma? An elementary school diploma?

snowalker · Joined: 27 Feb 2006 Posts: 16

here ya go......

www.boca.gov.tw
Area North America
Address Taipei Economic and Cultural Office , Canada
45 O'Connor St., Suite 1960, World Exchange Plaza Ottawa, Ontario K1P1A4 Canada

Phone (002-1-613) 2315080
Fax (002-1-613) 2317112
Emergency TEL Cellular : (002-1-613) 7626090
In Canada : 1-613-7626090
(In Ottawa:762-6090)
Service Hour Monday ~ Friday
09:00~16:00

Miyazaki · Joined: 12 Jul 2005 Posts: 635 Location: My Father's Yacht

Snowalker,

Yes, indeed, I know several Canadian EFL teachers who have recently been hired in legally in Taiwan with only 2 year college diplomas.

The CLA issued them an ARC and work permit.

Many EFL teachers are teaching legally on Taiwan with only a 2 year diploma.

Henry_Cowell · Joined: 27 May 2005 Posts: 3352 Location: Berkeley

TaoyuanSteve · Joined: 05 Feb 2003 Posts: 1028 Location: Taoyuan

Again, my response is that many things are possible in Taiwan, but they aren't all legal, repeatable by all who may wish to try, nor is it advisable for underqualified people to come here and try to cheat the system in this way. I argue that anyone who obtained a work permit, without meeting the credential requirements set out clearly in the government's own regulations likely got it through fraudulent means-- and from the posts in this thread, I'd say many underqualified teachers aren't even aware that this occured in their cases. Their employer probably lied about their credentials, submitted forged documents or something along those lines. This happens quite alot with undesirable employers in smaller centers who have trouble attracting and retaining staff.

The average foreign teacher lacks the language or cultural knowledge to really know what is happening around them. I've met loads of FTs working at kindies who've asserted their legality only to have that debunked when I translated the employer name on their ARC for them to inform them that they have a work permit for a buxiban and not the kindy they work at. An even stickier web of deception has been woven when their employer gets them a work permit when they don't possess the educational credential required. I tell these people if anyone official comes sniffing around their work place to make themself scarce in a hurry. They may grumble a bit when I tell them this, but they heed the advice. If you got an ARC from outside the usual channels, you are illegal. Period.

I think the only thing these threads on the qualification matter have proven is that it is still possible to teach illegally in Taiwan and that many still do--even if they aren't even aware of it or willing to admit it. If one doesn't wish to come to a foreign country and play games with its laws, one can see the regulations clearly a few posts up from this one.

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

Snowalker it is clear that you had the best of intentions in making your post but there are a number of inaccuracies in your post that may result in problems for yourself and any other person who followed your advice.

The first mistake that you have made is believing the information that the overseas representative offices for Taiwan give. I know that this sounds strange but it is true. Frequently people get told things by these offices which turn out to be false. How can you know what is right and what isn't, well my suggestion is this. Have a read through my post below. Print it out if you like. Go back to the Taiwan office that you spoke with and ask them to provide documents to answer the questions that I raise in my post. I guarantee that they will not be able to do this as there is no documentary support available as they are wrong (or you have misunderstood what they said or they misunderstood what you asked and replied incorrectly).

So here goes:

SanChong · Joined: 22 Nov 2005 Posts: 335

Thanks Clark! I'm glad we have someone willing to take the time to give people REAL information, substantiated by actual laws....

clark.w.griswald · Joined: 06 Dec 2004 Posts: 2056

I'm assuming by the silence from both Miyazaki and snowalker that they have accepted the facts here. It would be good of them however to acknowledge this if this is the case so that any newbie who reads this thread would know the true situation.