The 9 Requirements to Get a Work Permit to Teach in Taiwan
Getting ready to move to a new country to work can be stressful enough. The first step to moving to Taiwan to teach is getting your work permit. Thankfully most of this is done by your employer. Here is what you will need and what to expect.
For your teaching work permit, you will need to give your employer the following.
- A “native English speaking” country passport
- Signed copy of the employment contract
- Scan of your passport (all pages)
- Scan of old passport if you have one
- Color passport photo (on white background)
- Copy of your degree (possibly the original)
- Copies of your college diploma/TEFL certificate
- Copy of your teaching license
- National background check within last 6 months
Now that you have all this or are searching for it read on to see what it will take to get your visa. The process can be lengthy at times but knowing what to do and where to go can help a lot
What is a teaching work permit in Taiwan?
It is a form/permit that will allow you to work legally, get National Health Insurance, and get an Alien Resident Card (ARC) in Taiwan. All of these things are necessary and will take a bit more work on your part to acquire. The work permit is not hard to get as long as you have all of the required documents and all the forms filled out correctly.
A teaching work permit is different than a regular work permit and has different qualifications and specifications. The teaching work permit is supplied by the Ministry of Education (MOE) while other work permits are given out by the Workforce Development Agency (WDA).
Who can apply for the work permit?
Your employer will have to apply for a work permit with the Ministry of Education (MOE) in Taiwan. The employer must meet specific requirements to be able to obtain a work permit. The longer they have been established and the more times they have done this will help to expedite the process as they know what to do.
How is it decided if my permit gets accepted?
This is decided case by case. I have never been denied a work permit but I do know a few people that have. The reasons were not always fully clear and they do not have to tell you why it is denied. But talking to the staff at the MOE some reasons to be denied are:
- You have a criminal record in Taiwan or your country of origin.
- The employer has a criminal record or pending investigation.
- Your passport is less than 6 months to expiry.
- The employer does not have enough work permits.
- There is a hold on issuing permits ie. coronavirus
If the Taiwanese government requires more documents or needs you to provide further information in order to complete the application, you must provide whatever the Taiwanese government requires.
How long does it take to get the work permit?
It generally takes around 15- to 20 business days to process. This can be shorter or longer depending on the office and your employer.
Do I need to have my diploma and documents notarized?
No, you usually do not. In some cases, if there is an issue or the validity of your documents comes into question you may have to. It is not a big deal they are just trying to be thorough as there have been issues with people supplying fake documents to gain work in Taiwan.
To notarize your diploma/documents at the Taiwan Embassy/Institute you will need to bring your college diploma or associate degree, transcripts, two types of identification, and the fee by certified check or money order.
No personal checks are accepted. Certified checks or money orders should be made payable to Taipei Economic and Cultural Office. To find the closest office nearest you you can go click here Taiwan Embassy.
If you don’t notarize it, you may fail to get your work permit. This could take about a week or more to get it so you may want to do it in advance if you are worried.
You can always call the embassy/institute or email them to find out how and what you need to get any step done. I found them very helpful in my case and I only had to email copies of documents to them. This was the office in Boston, some may need you to be at their front desk to apply.
How long is the work permit valid for?
The work permit is usually good for a minimum of six months. In most cases, they will not issue a work permit unless the teaching contract is six months long. It also can be extended up to three years.
Can I work for multiple schools in Taiwan?
The work permit is tied to your first employer. If you change jobs and/or work for multiple schools, the new school will need permission from the first school. I have done this before and had a main sponsor and secondary sponsors. The main sponsor will be in charge of the actual permit. They are the ones that have the power to allow you to work at another school.
What do I do after my permit is approved?
After your work permit is approved, you can apply for a Taiwan work visa. There are a few ways to do this and it can be done outside of the country. You will have the option for single entry or multiple entries (I would always recommend multiple) and these last between three months to one year.
If your work permit is good for more than 180 calendar days, you can be given a resident visa for employment purposes. When you come to Taiwan on a resident visa, you can get your Alien Resident Certificate (ARC).
If your work permit is less than 180 calendar days or you choose to get your work visa in Taiwan you can come on a visitor visa, which may be easier if your country is on good terms with the Taiwanese government.
To get things moving and more comfortable you can read The Ulitmate Guide for Moving to Taiwan to Work or Live I have laid out all that you can do and what you need to live. Good luck and hope to see you around.
What are the native-speaking countries Taiwan accepts to teach?
As described by the MOE. These countries are the United States, Canada, South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and Ireland.
Where do I get my background check?
You will need to get it from your country of origin. For Americans, it is an FBI check which can take up to a month to process in some cases. Here is a link to learn more about the FBI CHECK.
