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Requirements:

This route is generally easier than the public school route because it requires one less credential, which is the government issued teaching license.

Here are the basic requirements for getting a visa that will allow you to do this job legally (unless you are married to a local or have found one of the several other loopholes)-

• A passport from: U.S., U.K., Ireland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa

  Update: I realize this list is not entirely accurate, and in fact there are many other countries that technically qualify under the MOFA (see link for complete list https://tinyurl.com/mpwe6whn). However, it is important to keep in mind that due to some of these countries having a large number of official languages or strong accents and possibly discrimination from local Taiwanese school employers, it may be difficult for people from certain nations to obtain employment.

• A bachelor's degree is typically required. Although there isn't any clear law saying that is has to be from a native speaking country, you may run into problems from a potential employer if it isn't (e.g. your passport is from the UK and your bachelor's degree is from a French University). The important thing is that it is an accredited and recognized university in the eyes of the Ministry of Education.

• A clear criminal record. Initially upon moving to Taiwan, you'll need to obtain this from your home country and then later you can get it in Taiwan (assuming you hadn't gone back to live in your home country or somewhere else for any stint of time).

  Your employer will most likely have qualifications of their own that you must meet. One of the most basic and universal ones is a TEFL/TESOL/CELTA Certificate.

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Searching for the job:

Depending on where you have in mind, get on the associated Facebook groups, do your Google searches with those keywords. If you aren't particular, then get on all the Facebook groups associated with teaching in Taiwan. Basically, type in the keywords "Teaching" and "Taiwan" and you will find tons of groups advertising for jobs.

You can also check a website called Tealit, Teast, and Teach Taiwan. You could also dress up nice and go hunting directly to areas with lots of cram schools.

I have personally found almost all of my jobs on Facebook groups.

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Note about culture

If you are communicating with a local Taiwanese person, there may be some cultural considerations to make. Of course, generalizing culture in Taiwan is tricky because people are different from place to place and from person to person.

Generally speaking, Taiwanese value politeness and patience will go a long way. It is true that you can be taken advantage of if you aren't careful and it is good to educate yourself on your rights, minimum acceptable salaries, etc. Just try to not be accusatory to a potential employee and get off on a bad foot. Best to ask for second opinions and not be too direct with potential employees. Patience, patience, patience... politeness.

Actions

A good boiler plate way to reach out:

Dear "enter employer title/name here",

My name is___________ and I'm interested in the teaching position you have advertised at your school. I'm a qualified English teacher with some/a lot of teaching experience.

I have taught "enter age group" year old students and have many strategies for helping them learn English in a fun way.

I'd love to talk to you more about this opportunity. Please contact me at ______________. Thank you.

Sincerely, "enter your name"

I wouldn't overthink this too much if you aren't too picky about landing a specific school. It's really up to you how much detail you want to add. Maybe for a larger more reputable school, put more detail into it. For a more "beginner" level cram school like Hess or Shane English or Joy English, just politely let them know you are willing to do a decent job and be agreeable.

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Getting Proper Visa and Work Permit:

It is my understanding that due to the lack of diplomatic missions abroad, the norm used to be that you'd need to be in Taiwan to apply for everything. But now with the use of technology, there are ways to scan and send things and get the necessary paperwork submitted.

The legal way is to first get a work permit and then you can apply to get an ARC. I never got an actual visa stamp to be a resident in my passport, my ARC became that visa and my right to reside and work here. It's what they look at when I enter through Taiwan customs at the airport (in addition to my passport of course).

The other way (technically illegal but somewhat common) is to first come into the country with a waived visa (90 day entry for select countries) or a tourist visa and start working right away while your employer does the paperwork for your work permit. I did this at my first job at a kindergarten (which is also illegal for foreigners to teach English at). There always seem to be loopholes.

For specific info about the way a particular school does it, I recommend getting on the regular online forums on Forumosa, Facebook, etc. be prepared for lots of sarcasm and negativity, but there are helpful folks out there. Don't give up.

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Before you get your work permit, your employer will need you to do a health check. That can be done at any major hospital in Taiwan and the hospital will have the forms there, because it's a common thing many workers need in Taiwan. You'll do that, pay the fee, bring the result back to your employer, and done. You'll also need a criminal background check from your home country, and that will probably be something you already have given your employer as a requirement to employment. You'll also need to give them either your passport or a copy of it. They will tell you what they need / require. They'll also need your diploma (again probably already done by this point).

Now they should have (more or less) everything they need to apply for your work permit. Once that is done, they'll give you a copy of that and you'll need to go to the National Immigration Center.

Actions

Depending on your employer, you may go with a local from the school or go alone to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) nearest you. I always have gone alone.

Generally speaking, you'll need to bring the following:

• Your passport and a copy of the passport

• Your work permit

• Your employment contract

• A contract of a lease in Taiwan (yep, you'll need a place to live)

• Two 2-inch photos (they have machines at the NIA with standard sizes)

• 1000TWD in cash for a single-year ARC card (most contracts are year by year)

Double check that this is all you'll need. You shouldn't need the other stuff because that was already submitted in order to get your work permit, but if your employer says take it, maybe just take it. It can't hurt.

You'll go in with all that stuff and take a number at a machine (usually) and grab an application. Look for the multiple purpose application form.

Fill in that application and wait for your number to be called. There are displays above the counters at the big branches where they show the number.

Talk to the nice people at the agency (they speak English), pay the fee, and they'll give you a receipt. They'll emphasize not to lose that, because you'll need to come back in around 10 days to pick up the ARC card.

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After the specified time, go back to the NIA with your receipt and passport (just in case they wanna see it) and look for the counter where they have your ARC card waiting. The bigger NIA buildings have a designated place for that, so you won't need to grab a number and wait again. Smaller locations may be set up differently.

Grab your ARC and tuck it away somewhere safe.

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Some employers are used to you first arriving in Taiwan and then sorting all this out, and that's actually a good thing if it's your first time ever in Taiwan because you may not wanna take chances with a job in a town in the middle of nowhere with coworkers or maybe a roommate you don't like (some places help organize accomodations). However, as I said, you can do this paperwork abroad too.

If you are here, you can talk to people and get a bit more feel for how things work, what a good area to live in might be. You can also just generally see what life is like here in Taiwan. Of course, there are no guarantees that you won't regret choosing that place.

One good organization that can help is Teach Taiwan, because they have coordinators that can help with placement and explaining everything to you. Every organization will have a slightly different order of getting these necessary documents done.

Follow Up Actions

Now that you have the ARC, there are many things to do after you get your job and arrive in Taiwan, such as getting a phone number, a health insurance card, an apartment, etc.

So take a look for other guides regarding all that.

Good luck and hope ya enjoy Taiwan!