Job Discussion Forums

nicbur · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 8

Hey everyone,
I'm new to all of this and I have some concerns that I'd like your advice on. My boyfriend and I have our Tesol certificates but no degrees. We found a recruiter in Taiwan willing to get us jobs despite the no degree situation but he's not the most straightforward person in his answers to my questions. Don't get me wrong, he spends a lot of time answering my never ending questions but his answers aren't too clear. Anyway, he said to get a working holiday visa for 60 days then he'd go from there. But I want to know what these visas mean. Do we just keep working without a visa? When we leave the country will the airport see that we shouldn't have been there anymore and do something to us? I know people do it all the time but we don't know what we're doing so I want to make sure I'm not making a mistake in taking the risk. I'd like to educate myself to make sure nothing goes wrong. Tell me all you can please. Thanks for your help!!!

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

If you have a two year diploma plus your TESOL certificates then there is room for legal work in Taiwan. If all that both of you have is TESOL certificates then you do not meet the minimum requirements for employment as foreign English teachers here.

The agent has a vested interest in getting you here regardless whether you will be legal or not. He doesn't get paid unless you come, and two in one go would be a bonus for him.

Working on a visitors visa is illegal and I personally advise against working here illegally. There are too many unknowns.

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

Unless you are from a very select group of countries (Australia/New Zealand), working holiday visa is not an option. The recruiter was more than likely referring to a 60 day tourist visa, something that does not allow you work here.

You should probably know that, unless you have at least two year post secondary diplomas to compliment your tesol certs, you will not qualify for legal work here. You can enroll in Chinese classes to get visa extensions and do visa runs from time to time (as many have done); but you should know your life will not be as stable as someone who qualifies for legal residence (and this arrangement also has you staying here under false pretences). Watch out for recruiters. They will say anything to get you here.

nicbur · Joined: 27 Mar 2005 Posts: 8

I know we don't qualify for legal work, that's my point and question for you. Is it risky for us to work illegaly in Taiwan? Because I have heard that so many people do it all of the time that I thought it might be fine. If we do decide to do it how do we go about it? You mentioned taking the Chinese lesseons and doing visa runs, I've seen this mentioned a few times by other recruiters, is this the only way to get away with it?

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

Yes, basically bogus Chinese classes and/or visa runs are the only way. It's up to you, but it doesn't seem worth it to me. There's so much time and money wasted in these things, that you'll have a hard time getting ahead. If you're in a rut at home, why come to a foreign country only to fall into another one?

Aristotle · Joined: 16 Jan 2003 Posts: 1388 Location: Taiwan

To date Taiwan has not authorized any foreign nationals to have a working vacation on Taiwan.
Taiwan signed an agreement with a couple of countries authorizing working holidays but as usual Taiwan failed to honor their commitment. The other countries involved immediately authorized working vacations for Taiwanese but Taiwan has and will continue to stone wall until the agreement is terminated by the other parties.
Welcome to Taiwan.
A.

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