Foreign student situation, can I work in Taiwan?
I am a New Zealand citizen studying mandarin in Taiwan. I am still on my 60 day visitor visa (I will extend late September). I have been told that it is illegal for foreign students to work in Taiwan, however, I was approached by a cram school and they have told me they can train me to be an English teacher and apply for a work permit for me even though I am not university educated. Incoming funds to support my tuition would be great but I do not want to break any laws and get deported. Unlike some foreign students who do work any way, I can not afford to be deported from Taiwan as my girlfriend is Taiwanese, that's the whole reason I am here. Am I okay to work and study on a visitor visa if the place I am working for is going to apply for a work permit for me, its seems like a bit of a grey area to me and I do not want to discuss it with my language centre for fears that they may refuse me from enrolling next semester. Please shed some light on the issue for me! Thanks =)
Taiwan - 5 Answers
Random Answers, Critics, Comments, Opinions :
1 :
An employment visa is required to work legally in Taiwan. No exceptions! If you are caught working in Taiwan without an employment visa, even if it is just part-time work, then you have violated the terms of of your tourism visa. That will result in your immediate deportation and you will be blacklisted from getting any future visas to Taiwan. Your "cram school" is fully aware of the law and is trying to lead you astray. If you start working for them without first obtaining an employment visa, then they can use that against you to control you. This is a common scheme, shady employers blackmail foreign workers over visa issues. Happens all the time, especially in Taiwan. Don't get yourself in trouble! If you want to work in Taiwan, then do it the legitimate way. Obtain an employment visa FIRST and then start work.
2 :
First off, your English appears to be better than most persons asking such questions. That's good. Furthermore, your interest in abiding by the laws here expresses an honorable trait. Since you are here on a visitor's visa, not a student visa, you should be able to upgrade your visa to a work visa if the employer wishes to process a work permit for you (6 months or one year in length). You should also acquire a National Health Insurance Card through this process. However, bear this in mind, you would have to maintain 14 hours of work per week (last time I checked) once you return to your schooling. Make sure you discuss your schedule of availability for work with the potential employer before asking them to process a work permit. It would be best if you could get something in writing that says they can't change your schedule without your approval. Be cooperative, honest about your situation, and patient while the paperwork is processed. Good luck to you. @Cooper - The "cram school" may be looking at a valuable teacher here; one who is superior to the "foreigner drifters" you alluded to in your posted question here in Taiwan Travel. I doubt they are trying to "lead him astray," since they have offered a work permit upfront. Let's not dissuade him with unnecessary fears. You needn't be such a disgruntled and cynical rabble-rouser all the time. Please, tone it down a bit. PEACE.
3 :
Well the only thing that A.Cooper has said that is correct is that it is illegal to work without a work visa in Taiwan the rest is barely worth reading. Its only good for comical relief, If you like dark comedy. Although it does happen with college students quite often, it is still illegal and since you don't want to do anything to jeopardize your relationship you'll want to do things legally. If you have been studying in Taiwan for more than 4 months you can apply for the Student ARC can be applied for after 4 months of study on a visitor visa. Most language schools in Taiwan (the ones that you study Chinese in) will permit you to study and work at the same time. You will have to make sure that everything you do is managed correctly because a lot of schools don't appreciate people who don't attend classes. I know this visa doesn't help your situation, just mentioning it to you. I don't know of your education back ground, but the bare minimal requirements for teaching in Taiwan as stated by the ROC government is that you have valid 2 year college degree along with an accredited TESOL/TEFL degree, however due to the job market becoming a little tighter in the last few years a lot of schools are pushing for the 4 year degree. However since the school as already approached you then you shouldn't have issue with that. I don't have direct knowledge of this, but I would assume that if your school is providing you with a work visa you they wont be asking for you college credits, but you should still find out what they will require. Get everything in writing, both Chinese and English, making sure they match with requirements and everything. Since you are from New Zealand you can apply for a working holiday visa which will allow you to both work and study at the same time. This visa is good for 180 days renewable for another 180 days giving you a 1 year visa in Taiwan. The problem with this is that you can't work for the same employer for more than 3 months. http://www.workingholidaytaiwan.org.tw/eligibility.htm This is really a tough subject because there are a lot of small loopholes that you can use to your advantage or get caught in and get in trouble so its best to talk to a representative the National Immigration Agency to see what is required to get your visa, you can have your girlfriend help you with this. You should do this quickly so that your perspective employer won't forget about you. Once you have a job, like WNL said, you will have to work a min. of 14 hours per week to keep your visa, this will allow for you to study at the same time.
4 :
Hi If you have to leave, see if you can get into this type of program if you are eligible as NZ Youth are being encouraged to come here. http://www.workingholidaytaiwan.org.tw/
5 :
To get a working visa as an English teacher in Taiwan you must have at least a 2 year degree and a teaching certificate for Toesl or TEFL ... You cannot just get a working visa without it. If the buxiban told you they can get it without these items they were either lying or their English sucks and they didnt understand you. (Can happen, my bosses english is pretty bad...) On a visitor Visa you cannot work, but a job can change it to a working visa easily if you have all the requirements.
Read more other entries :
