They didn’t seem very flexible on the requirements when I applied (I’ve posted about this in the gold card thread), but might be worth looking into the requirements to see if you could be eligible.
The ones for the education category are as follows:
The person has graduated with a doctoral degree from one of the top 200 universities in the most recent QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The person has been engaged in teaching and research for more than five years and in the past five years has worked at one of the top 500 universities in the most recent QS World University Rankings or Times Higher Education World University Rankings.
The person has won a Yushan (Young) Scholar award in Taiwan.
Have held or currently hold a teaching, or research position, or providing professional services based on their individual knowledge and expertise in one or more public or private schools, colleges, or universities and their affiliated units, educational institutions, or research institutions, or engaged in work listed in the Education Services sector in the Central Product Classification published by the Public Construction Commission of the Executive Yuan, for five years or more, with their most recent monthly salary being at least NTD 160,000.
Thanks SPQA and Andrew.
Doesn’t look like the gold card will work then. I can’t meet those requirements. My teaching is somewhat specialised (AP physics) but not in the league they are talking about there – and certainly not in that salary range!
Do you have any updates regarding what route you decided to take?
I’m actually in a similar predicament, having quit my teaching job a little less than a year ago and extended my ARC twice until early June. Prior to the whole pandemic situation, I had intended to just do visa runs, but it doesn’t look like that would be possible, as of the current regulations dictating that no foreigners may enter visa-exempt, to my knowledge.
I just called the Immigration Agency, who said I can actually file for an additional 30 days of stay (which begins immediately after the expiry of my ARC).
All I need to do is bring my (U.S.) passport and ARC to them within 15 days prior to the expiry of my ARC, for which I will get a stamp in my passport. I did not ask what the criteria for this extension is, so unfortunately don’t know who exactly this applies to other than myself. What happened was they looked up my ARC number and told me this was possible.
Anyway, if you’re in a similar predicament as myself, do consider calling them to check whether such an extension of stay is possible. Hope this helps!
Sorry for the late reply. I have been meaning to post an update on this for anyone else in the same situation. The teacher I am replacing is leaving my school earlier than planned, so I am able to start earlier, solving this problem.
I visited my embassy (for lack of a better word) they very helpfully called people in the NIA, so I’m confident that what they found out is correct. The first thing is that yes, they also said that we can extend our visas by one month. It’s not automatic though; as you said we need to go to an immigration agency in person. However, I was told that we must leave the country after that month. They said it cannot be transferred to a work visa, even if we are offered a job. They said this month delayed a visa run, hopefully until it’s possible enter Japan if coming from Taiwan, and to be allowed back. It’s a gamble.
So if I were you I would still try to find a job which will get you an ARC.
Hope this helps, and you can get the extension if not a job.
I really appreciate the helpful reply! It’s good to know that the extension isn’t transferable into a visa. In that case I’ll definitely try to get a job before my original deadline is up.
I hope you can find a job. Schools should be realising that there will be a shortage of teachers with some having left, a lot of Taiwanese returning to Taiwan from overseas, and fewer teachers turning up in August. So hopefully you can find something good!
Hi JesseD @JesseD
Happy to know that your can start your work eariler and now you don’t need to worry about the ARC expiry.
My friend got the 1st ARC extenstion of 6 month at the end of last year so it will be expired in 1month time. May I know your experience of getting the 2nd extension? any documents need to submit with the application form? or any questions will be ask by immigration officer? Not sure whether it depends on the mercy/judgement of immigration officer or everyone can apply for the 2nd extension… thanks.
Sure. I think there is some discretion on the part of the immigration officer, but I don’t think it should be difficult. The most important thing in my experience is that you need to show that you have been looking for work. In my case they suggested I set up a profile on a Taiwanese job hunting site. Other than that, I think it’s almost a right to apply for another extension, but I’m not sure sorry.