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Taiwan: How do you feel about living abroad?:
Those of us who live in Taiwan cannot complete your survey because neither Taiwan (nor ROC) is listed as a country choice.
Taiwan: Finding English teaching work with a 2 year degree?:
Hello RedpillNeo101,
To get a government issued work permit for a buxiban (supplemental English school) the minimum requirement is a 2-year college diploma PLUS a TEFL Certificate ("qualification certificates for language teaching" according to the law).
If you have a Bachelor's Degree then a TEFL Certificate is not required.
This is what the government requires to issue a work permit. The relevant law can be found here at Article 42:
http://law.moj.gov.tw/eng/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?PCode=N0090031 [ENGLISH}
http://law.moj.gov.tw/LawClass/LawAll.aspx?PCode=N0090031 [CHINESE]
Schools themselves may require a Bachelor's Degree.
Hope this helps.
Taiwan: breaking apartment lease:
Hi,
Did you sign a rental contract? The penalty should be specified in the lease agreement.
My experience has been that you will lose your deposit if you break the lease, and that the landlord must pay you two months worth of rent if he breaks the lease.
That has only been my experience.
Taiwan: Hepatitis C:
The last time I had to get a health check for a work permit/ARC was in 2013 (I've since gained permanent residency and so no more checks are required). Anyway, I'm looking at the report from 2013 right now.
The laboratory testing checks:
A. HIV
B. Syphilis
C. Measles and Rubella antibodies
D. Tuberculosis (chest x-ray)
Unless something has changed since then, it looks like you're in the clear.
Taiwan: Retired. Not seeking work. How about Taichung?:
Hello Joseph,
I'm not a retiree (but I will be in about 15 years); however, I am a permanent resident of Taiwan.
If you are not an ROC citizen, spending any length of time legally in Taiwan requires a Residence Visa/ARC (Alien Resident Certificate). There are only a few ways to obtain this:
1) Full-time employment
2) Full-time student (Chinese language or other)
3) Business investor (US$200,000 minimum)
4) Missionary
5) Married to an ROC citizen
6) Government sponsored "special talent"
If you don't have a Resident Visa, then you would need to follow the regulations for a "visitor."
For example, depending on your country of origin, as a visitor you can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days, but then you would be required to leave and re-enter the country for another 90-day cycle.
More information can be found here:
http://www.boca.gov.tw/lp.asp?ctNode=778&CtUnit=76&BaseDSD=7&mp=2
I mentioned earlier that I'm a permanent resident. This status can be obtained by possessing a Resident Visa for at least 5 years, which in my case was based on employment.
It seems that Taiwan is a bit more difficult than some other countries for exapats to retire to. I wish you the best!
Stephen
Taiwan: Accommodation needed!:
If you already haven't, I'd suggest taking a look at 591.com.tw, a site that lists rentals. It's a Chinese site but you can use Google Translate if you can't read Chinese.
You can filter searches by area, number of rooms, price range, and other criteria.
I did a cursory search in Hsinchu (East area) for 2 bedrooms in the 10K-15K range and got 36 results. Here is the first item on the list if you're curious:
http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1713014.html
Hope this helps. If you have any questions feel free to ask me.
Taiwan: Relocating:
I think for that price you should have no problem.
If you can read Chinese (or use Google translate), you can try www.591.com.tw
I did a cursory search in Kaohsiung and found the following:
3 Bed/2 Bath/2 Living/2 Balconies/49 ping/$25,500 -- http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1573453.html
3 Bed/2 Bath/2 Living/1 Balcony/58 ping/$25,000 -- http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1566170.html
3 Bed/2 Bath/2 Living/2 Balconies/39 ping/$20,000 -- http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1591438.html
3 Bed/2 Bath/2 Living/2 Balconies/42 ping/$22,000 -- http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1610394.html
Taiwan: Is it possible to rent something like this in Hsinchu (or nearby)?:
591.com.tw lists rentals, but you must be able to read Chinese, or able to navigate it using Google translate.
I checked this website for Hsinchu county, and the prices vary widely depending on size, amenities, and other factors.
For example, I searched Jhubei City for 3 bedroom, 2 bath apartments. There were 116 listings with prices that ranged from NT$11,000/month (US$370) to NT$50,000/month (US$1,650) . Here are a few examples...
NT$12,000/month (US$400) 35 ping size (http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1222507.html)
NT$20,000/month (US$660) 33 ping size (http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1200443.html)
NT$35,000/month (US$1,160) 60 ping size (http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1221888.html)
NT$50,000/month (US$1,650) 60 ping size (http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1202981.html)
I narrowed the search for townhouse style places and found these...
NT$18,000/month (US$600) for this 4 bedroom, 2 bath, 52 ping size (http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1198481.html)
NT$35,000/month (US$1,160) for this 5 bedroom, 4 bath, 70 ping size (http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1222876.html)
NT$45,000/month (US$1,500) for this 5 bedroom, 3 bath, 92 ping size (http://rent.591.com.tw/rent-detail-1198753.html).
Hope this helps you get some idea. There are hundreds of listings in Hsinchu, of course.
Taiwan: Should I expat to Taipei?:
My answer 15 years ago, when I myself had 3 young children, would have been yes because I longed for the adventure and experience.
My answer now, after moving to Taiwan by myself 4 years ago at age 45, would be no, because now I don't think I could have handled the added stress of moving to a foreign country with young children.
Since you mention that you already have a good job in the US, I'm assuming you want to come for the adventure, to expose your kids to a different culture, etc. If so, I do think these are all great reasons.
If you move, I'd strongly recommend reading up beforehand on the stages of culture shock that you and your kids are sure to experience. Knowing what your psyche will naturally go through, and how to deal with it, will help during the negative periods that WILL happen, no matter how determined you may be to enjoy your exciting and exotic experience.
Yes, there are some American schools, and hopefully your job will be located in Taipei where those American schools are located. They are quite pricey, but perhaps your company will be reimbursing you the cost.
I've found Taiwanese people by far to be quite friendly and helpful, and that's probably the biggest reason I've chosen to stay (along with the ridiculously cheap medical care).
Taipei is pretty English friendly. While you can "pick up" a bit of Chinese without trying, it will be very limited without study or having a Chinese speaking significant other. It's not like Spanish or French or German, which have similar words and grammar, and an alphabet that you can easily read.
I don't want to emphasize the negatives, because actually I grown to love Taiwan and plan to retire here.
Committing yourself to live in a foreign country for 3 years is a big step, let alone committing others as well. I hope you'll continue to read blogs and forums to get as much information as you can, asking specific questions.
If you don't know, here are a couple of useful online sites where you can get more information and ask questions about life in Taiwan:
www.forumosa.com (general Taiwan life)
www.tealit.com (more specific for teachers)
Good luck on whatever you decide. Feel free to ask me any specific questions by email at STEVE4NLANGUAGE (AT) YAHOO (DOT) COM
Taiwan: Any American ExPats in Taiwan?:
Hello,
I'm an American ExPat, and have been teaching English in Taiwan since 2008.
This is the situation for foreign English teachers working in buxibans (the vast majority):
YEAR 1
1) If you arrive before July 2nd, you will pay 20% tax for the first 182 days you work, then the rate drops to 13% for the remainder of the first year. When you file your taxes the following year you can get the additional 7% paid at the beginning of the year refunded.
2) If you arrive after July 2nd, you will pay a flat 20% for the remainder of the year, and will not get a refund.
YEAR 2 AND BEYOND
For each full year that you work in Taiwan, the first 183 days are taxed at 20%, then the rate drops to 13% for the last 182 days. You can get a refund of the additional 7% paid the first half of the year when you file your taxes the following year.
The tax situation may be different for teachers in public schools. Note, however, that only those with teaching credentials from their home county may teach in public schools.
Whether or not you're married to a Taiwanese doesn't affect your tax rate. You're still a non-Taiwanese, and so you'll pay the above rates.
Hope this helps.
Stephen
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