Ways to Find Job in Taiwan as a Foreigner

If you’re a foreigner, looking for work in Taiwan can seem nearly impossible. Whether it’s because of your educational background, your age, or your country of origin, the traditional hiring process might not place you at the top of their list when it comes to new hires.

However, there are still plenty of opportunities if you know where to look and you’re willing to get creative. From teaching jobs to work-from-home opportunities, here are five ways for foreigners to find jobs in Taiwan!

1.    Teach English

TEFL certification from a reputable school is one of the best ways for a foreigner looking for employment in Taiwan. The demand for English teachers has been high ever since the Taiwanese government started promoting the benefits of learning English for business purposes.

The hourly salary is decent (though it varies depending on location), and there are plenty of opportunities to find work at international schools and language centers throughout Taiwan. Additionally, many smaller cities around Taiwan offer free housing or flat rates for teachers who agree to teach at their schools on a monthly basis.

With a few months of searching, it’s not hard to find long-term contracts that give you enough time to settle into the country and learn the language completely.

2.    Work for an International Company

If your previous experience is in international business, finance, or marketing, there are plenty of opportunities to work with foreign companies doing business in Taiwan. Many companies need bilingual representatives that can work directly with the local clients and higher management, which is another great way for foreigners to find jobs in Taiwan. Though many of these opportunities entail working on-site at a Taiwanese office, there are also numerous telecommute opportunities as well.

3.    Teach Yoga

Taiwan’s always been at the forefront of health and wellness trends, which means there are plenty of opportunities to work in specialty fields like yoga or Pilates. With a small investment in equipment, these types of jobs are great for people who want to explore Taiwan without committing to one specific location. Additionally, many gyms offer free housing for live-in instructors, and the hourly rates and student volume can be enough to live comfortably.

4.    Open a Local Company

If you’re an entrepreneur with a business degree, there are plenty of great opportunities in Taiwan for you to set up shop and start your own business. Though it might take some time to get approved by the government and get your business license, many foreigners (and Taiwanese) would be willing to pay for your services or products.

Whether you’re looking to offer coach or consulting services, open an e-commerce store to sell clothing, or start the next Starbucks franchise in Taiwan, there are plenty of opportunities available if you know where to look.

5.    Go Freelance

If you know how to program, write, or speak another language in addition to English, there’s a good chance that you can find work as a freelancer in Taiwan. With sites like Upwork and Fiverr readily available for foreigners, it doesn’t take too much time to snoop around and see if the project you’ve been looking for has already been posted. Use this as an opportunity to jumpstart your career, and seek out projects that allow you to develop your skills further and contribute something meaningful!

6.    Join Military/Police Force

Due to Taiwan’s complicated relationship with its neighbors, both the police force and military have special regulations regarding the hiring of foreigners. While this may seem discriminatory at first glance, joining one of these organizations can be an incredibly rewarding experience for people looking to make a meaningful contribution while learning about Taiwanese culture. And if you’re lucky, you may even get to travel abroad during your service.

Top 7 Jobs for Expats in Taiwan

Taiwan has become one of the most popular destinations for expats looking to live abroad. According to some surveys, it was voted one of the five top countries people look forward to living in. This survey also states that 65% of these people plan on staying here for a period between 1 and 5 years, and 35% expect their stay to be for more than five years.

That is really good news, especially if you are looking to stay here for a long time and also want to work in Taiwan. Taiwan is very attractive not only because of its culture but also due to the job opportunities available here. Here are some cool jobs that you can get in Taiwan.

Teaching English

Taiwan’s education system is severely lacking in several areas, one of which is speaking English. ESL teachers are often well-paid and work a varied schedule depending on their school and students’ needs.

The Taiwanese government has made it clear that its goal is to increase the amount of time students spend learning English and the number of students learning it. Although not usually a starting point for expats, teaching ESL is an increasingly attractive option after gaining some time in Taiwan and getting to know local culture and practices.

English-Mandarin Translator/Interpreter

English teachers are often asked to translate or interpret for their workplaces because of the language barrier. This may be a good option for those who know both languages very well but don’t want the responsibility of teaching children or adults.

This is because; it’s a more casual job that can usually be done from home. Teaching English and working as an interpreter have advantages and disadvantages, so they’re not always interchangeable.

Business Owner/Manager

Many English teachers who have been in Taiwan long enough decide to open their own schools or business. For those who prefer not to teach every day but enjoy the business aspect of education and want more responsibility and say over what happens at work, owning or managing your own business can be an attractive and lucrative option.

Office Worker/Administrator

Taiwan is a very business-oriented country, so those with degrees in business or office administration are often sought after for good pay and benefits. Although salaries may not be as high as in Western countries, they’re usually much higher than local Taiwanese employees earn. The drawback is that a foreigner’s experience and education are not always recognized, so it’s harder to find a high position.

Consultant

There are also many foreign companies in Taiwan looking for consultants who have specific knowledge or skill sets that can be utilized to increase the company’s productivity or sales. This option is most common among business owners, managers, and office workers because it allows them to remain in their current industries with added responsibility.

Journalist and Social Media

Although not as widely available as those listed above, there are jobs in social media and journalism for English speakers with the right qualifications and experience. This is likely to be a more difficult option than those listed above but can be extremely rewarding if you’re able to create your own career path out of it.

Athlete

Although not a traditional job, English-speakers have many opportunities to become athletes in Taiwan and bring home medals from international competitions. Many foreigners have also found success as cross-country or track cycling teams. For those with exceptional physical ability and the mental strength acquired from being an athlete, this can be a very rewarding job option.

Frequently Asked Questions about Working in Taiwan

What do I need to know about working in Taiwan?

Taiwanese law protects the rights of both employees and employers. Foreigners are generally hired on one-year renewable contracts. If you receive a job offer, ask for an English copy of the “Employment Service Act” (ES) before signing it or any other contract.

You should also ask for an English translation of everything you sign. CSLB is the governing authority for labor law in Taiwan, so it might be helpful to check out their website as well.

How much money can I expect to make?

Taiwan’s average monthly salary is around NT$19,000 (about US $640) for foreign nationals. Foreigners will also likely be expected to work overtime if their Taiwanese counterparts are working late on a regular basis.

If you want more information about the average salaries in Taiwan, you can check out CSLB’s website. Besides, you can ask your local friends about the average salary for the position you will be taking.

What are my working hours likely to be?

The typical workday in Taiwan starts at 8:30 am and ends at 5:00 pm with a half an hour lunch break. You can expect to put in some overtime during busy periods, but not as much as your Taiwanese colleagues. However, remember that this law applies only to Taiwanese employees. Your employment contract determines the working hour for foreign nationals.

Can I work remotely from home?

It depends on your company, but there is a growing telecommuting trend. Taiwanese companies like to follow the traditional nine-to-five schedule and might balk at the idea of working from home.

However, if you work for a foreign firm or can convince your employer that allowing remote work will increase productivity, you are more likely to work from home on a regular basis. Taiwanese companies are not familiar with this idea of working remotely yet, so you would have to convince them that it is an advantage.

Will I need to join local/national organizations?

If you want or expect your employer to pay for your local or national organization’s dues, then the answer is probably yes. Some employers expect their employees to join different associations and might even refuse to hire foreigners who don’t wish. If you’re not interested in joining any of these organizations, find a company that isn’t too strict about this.

Conclusion

When it comes to work, some people want to travel the world, but others want a job that will make them money. It’s no secret that western countries are becoming increasingly obsessed with working for themselves rather than doing jobs they don’t necessarily enjoy. If you want more out of life, Taiwan may be your answer.

Before introducing this article, if you are interested in our core services which are expat financial, insurance and mortgages, you can contact me here. 

The best time to consider your financial situation is when you are moving to a new country.

Introduction

Whether you’re a teacher looking for a career break or you’ve graduated and need to get some experience before going back to university, working in Taiwan as an expat can be a perfect choice. However, there’s not always much information about how to go about doing it.

Here, we’ll look at why teaching English is such a popular option and then look at the different jobs available for foreigners, along with some of the pros and cons of doing them. We will focus mainly on jobs in Taiwan, so if you want something more general, you might want to try this guide.

Taiwan is one of Asia’s economic powerhouses, which means it needs a lot of people to work in the factories that produce electronics and other goods. However, it’s also investing heavily in research and development, which means schools need teachers who are up to date with the latest teaching methods.

All this has made Taiwan a popular destination for people looking to teach English. There’s no shortage of demand for good teachers because there are both public and private schools throughout the island, but English is mostly taught as a second language. Does that sound interesting to you?

Well, we have compiled this article to meet your requirements. This way, if you’ve been surfing the internet to get the right information about working in Taiwan as an expat in today’s world, look no further. We will walk you through the jobs available, requirements, and many more. Read further to get the full details!

Requirements to Work in Taiwan as an Expat

Taiwan is one of the most popular countries for expats to work because it’s not only a great place to make money but also has a lot of opportunities for those looking to build their skills and experience. If you want to find out whether you can work in Taiwan as an expat, here are the requirements you’ll need.

A Degree

The first requirement you’ll need is a degree. If you’re an expat coming from the west, this shouldn’t be too much of a problem as many Taiwanese universities accept international students and degrees. The only downside to studying in Taiwan is that your school needs to be government authorized to issue degrees which means if it’s not licensed, you may not be able to work in Taiwan with your degree.

A Police Record Check

In Taiwan, it’s needed to obtain a working visa, and you’ll need this before you can begin working, even when doing an internship. It is possible to get the police record check done while you’re still in your home country, but if not, once you arrive in Taiwan, you’ll need to go to the nearest police station and get one done.

A Social Insurance Card

This is something that all employees in Taiwan are required to have; this includes foreigners working there on a working visa. Your employer pays for it, so you don’t need to worry about paying it yourself. However, if you’re planning on resigning and leaving Taiwan, then the money that’s been deducted from your salary for this will be refunded to you.

A Physical Examination Form

You’ll need a medical certificate issued by a government-recognized clinic or hospital, which is basically proof of your health so they can see if you’ve got any medical conditions that may put you or anyone in Taiwan in danger. Also, if you’re planning on getting married in Taiwan, then you’ll need to bring this certificate with you as well.

Proof of Financial Security

This is something your employer will need to see before hiring you. Usually, this means showing them bank statements for the past six months that show you have enough money deposited in your account to live for a year. However, some schools don’t even ask for this and will just hire you if you can show them that you have enough money to last you through your first month of employment.

A Tax Record

This is different from the Social Insurance Card as it’s only needed if you’re planning on staying in Taiwan for at least 183 days (6 months) and working there. It’s also paid by your employer but will be deducted from your salary like the other card. However, this one needs to be taken out before arriving in Taiwan.

A Work Permit

If you’re planning to work, your best course of action would be to hire a recruitment agency that specializes in recruiting expats for companies over in Taiwan; they’ll help with the paperwork and make sure you have everything you need to be able to work there safely and legally. Luckily, once you’ve got everything you need and your working visa is all sorted, you’ll be able to start work as soon as possible.

Benefits of Working in Taiwan as an Expat

I’m sure you’ve already heard a lot about how great it is to live and work in Taiwan, and I don’t want to bore you by going over the well-known pros of working here. You can read more about this in our previous article about living in Thailand as an expat. Some great benefits of working in Taiwan which aren’t often mentioned include the following.

1)    No Work Visa Required

Did you know that you can come to Taiwan and work on an ARC (Alien Resident Card), validating your status in the country with no visa required? This is completely legal; it’s what English teachers do all the time. And if you’re currently in Taiwan on a tourist visa (yes, you can do that too) but want to change your status, you should know that no work visas are required for citizens of most first-world countries.

 This means Australians, Americans, Canadians, and other first-world nationalities don’t need to jump through the hoops that other foreigners and Taiwanese people do. The ARC process is straightforward, and no work visa gives you the same rights as a Taiwanese citizen: you can study in Taiwan (a lot of teachers go for Chinese classes at their local college), possess a household registration, open a bank account, buy property, apply for loans as well as travel to many more countries than just Hong Kong.

2)    Cheap Medical Care

For a country with a developed economy, Taiwan’s medical costs are incredibly low. You can see a doctor at one of many reputable clinics for as little as 70NT (about $2). The cost of medicine is also very cheap in Taiwan, making it much more affordable to get your prescriptions filled than in many other countries. You can also purchase cheaper health insurance from overseas, saving you a lot of money.

3)    No winter

Did you know that Taiwan has no winter? This is one of our favorite things about living here. The seasons are very different from those in Europe and North America. In fact, some people who come to Taiwan for the first time find it difficult to believe there’s any winter here at all!

4)    Competitive Salary

Whilst Taiwanese salary statistics can be a little misleading due to the various taxes and added benefits involved; you’ll still find that your take-home pay will be much higher than in many other countries. Additionally, teaching jobs are not limited to English teachers: there’s a huge demand for teachers of French, Spanish and Japanese, amongst other languages.

5)    Cheap Real Estate

Did you know that your salary will go much further in Taiwan than in many western countries? The cost of living, including rent on real estate, is very cheap compared to home. A 100 square meter (about 1100 square feet) apartment in a central location can be rented for as little as $400 per month. If you plan on staying long-term and want to buy, property prices are also very cheap compared to other developed countries.

6)    A Safe Environment

Taiwan has one of the lowest crime rates in the world, ranking 111th in the world according to CIA statistics. While violent crime does happen here, it’s rare, and Taiwan is generally very safe. As the saying goes, you’re more likely to get hit by lightning than mugged in Taiwan.