Job Discussion Forums

[snowalker]

Hello everyone, the more homework I do before coming over there the more confused I'm getting. Everyone keeps saying you need a degree and there is no way around it, then some people say you can have a diploma with a TESL certificate and you can work there legally. Well I called the Taiwan embassy in Ottawa Canada and was told that yes in fact I could use my diploma (environmental science) along with my TESL and legally obtain work there, then I called the Vancouver Taiwan Embassy and I was sent an email saying that there are no actual educational requirements and that all standards are set by the schools. Can anyone shed some light on what�s going on here? I'm more confused than ever, am I going to get over there and find out the people here are wrong? Are they right? I must have called them a dozen times before I got a response. The lady said that most people even teachers and officials don�t even know the laws there...... Can someone clear this up for me..... I�m so confused!!!!!!!

Thanks guys

This is the email I received after requesting info a million times

"Subject : Regarding your inquiry, there are no minimum experience or education levels required.

Hi,

Regarding your inquiry, there are no minimum experience or education levels required. Instead, requirements are set by the school looking for the teacher. You can contact school directly, or Canadian Trade Office in Taipei, the website is www.canada.org.tw .

Cultural Division"

[snowalker]

one more question.... am i correct in thinking that I can get a tourist visa for 30 days by showing up there or do I need to get one in advance?

[clark.w.griswald]

If you look at the government requirements for the issuance of a work permit to teach here then you will find that you can obtain a work permit if you:

a) have a bachelors degree or above;

b) or have a diploma plus TESOL

As I have stated on many occasions, although having a diploma plus TESOL qualifies you for a work permit, the reality is that you are likely to find the job search that much more difficult if you don't have at least a degree - based upon the fact that most schools require at least a degree. Hence the advice that many teachers here give, that if you don't have at least a degree then think twice about coming. So although someone with a diploma plus TESOL theoretically qualifies for a work permit, you won't get a work permit unless a school decides to employ you, and it may prove quite difficult to find a good school if you don't have at least a degree.

Don't worry too much about the information that you get from various Taiwan authorities as they often get it wrong.

No you cannot get a tourist visa by just showing up here. You will need to apply for one in advance. People for many countries can just show up in Taiwan without a visa and get a one month visa free entry (landing visa) but this is non-extendable and non-transferable, which means that you MUST leave the country within 30 days. If you are coming to look for work then a 60 day visitors visa for the purposes of tourism is the visa you want.

[snowalker]

Thanks, I appreciate the info

[snowalker]

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! Fell 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

[clark.w.griswald]

This is being discussed already at this thread:

http://www.eslcafe.com/forums/job/viewtopic.php?t=35542&start=15

[markholmes]