I just landed a job in Taipei as a game programmer/designer for a game company. I was in the military for four years and did a lot of work with translations and simulations. After that I worked full time product development for 4 months. Then I decided to get a degree that was focused on game development, so I earned a Bachelor’s of Science. I’ve been working at a game company in the United States for 6 months now.
So basically, my question is whether or not I’m going to have a problem with the two year experience requirement, because most of my experience was before I earned my Bachelor’s. I’ve read some posts that say the ROC only counts experience after the degree. Others have said rules have changed and are more lax, and I saw one guy even ended up getting a job for a software company right after graduation.
I’ve met the members of the team personally and they’re a great group of guys. I’m really excited to move to Taiwan, so I want to make sure I handle the work permit as carefully as possible. Would a good Taiwanese immigration lawyer be any help with that?
Technically, Flicka is correct. However, in reality, it depends on what kind of clout your prospective company has and how much they want you. If they really want you, they’ll find a way around it.
I think if I were you, I’d be up front with the company. Tell them of the possibility that the gubmint will require experience post-degree. After all, the company has decided they want you. From what I’ve seen, it seems that they can be prepared to make concessions, especially in the high-tech area. Its worth a try, IMO.
Okay, I want to make sure I understand what you’re saying:
If the company knows ahead of time about this possibility, they can better prepare a work permit that will get approved?
That’s how I understand your point. It just seems weird to me, because in America, a company would have a lawyer that would already be well apprised of these matters. Is this not the case in Taiwan?
Regardless, I need to make sure that they do know.
What it is, is there’s grey areas. Just because the rules state something doesn’t mean they’ll neccessarily apply to you.
Also, local HR departments are often totally unaware of the requirements re: employing foreigners, so there’s a chance they’ll have offered you work without being aware that they technically cannot do so.
Tell your HR people ASAP. That way, they can find out and let you know the outcome before you’ve burned your bridges and shelled out for an air ticket here, only to find out in a few weeks that you can’t stay.
The government is keen to attract high-tech talent, so that’s definitely a point in your favour, I think.
Ah, I see what you’re saying. However, the company is actually based in the United States and has several non-Taiwanese working at the Taiwan studio, so you would think they’d know these things.
But yes, I got the impression from people that it really just depends on individual situations. And a big part of me just can’t see how they can look at four years of military experience and just say “Meh, it was before he got his Bachelor’s, doesn’t count.”
I’m going to be speaking with the General Manager this week anyway, so this will all be discussed then. I just really hope it all works out, as I actually met the core team in San Francisco last week and had a blast with them. They’re really stand-up guys, and I’d love to work with them and live in Taiwan.
Anyway, thanks for your help. Any more advice anyone can throw my way will be greatly appreciated, and I will keep you apprised of how things are going.
In general, work permits for people in the high tech industry and finance are issued readily. You should apply even if it appears that you do not meet the requirements.
[quote=“CaiShen”][quote=“sandman”]
That’s how I understand your point. It just seems weird to me, because in America, a company would have a lawyer that would already be well apprised of these matters. Is this not the case in Taiwan?
Regardless, I need to make sure that they do know.[/quote][/quote]
As you are about to discover, things are done a bit differently in Taiwan. Foreign employees in Taiwan are unusual enough that most companies have no idea how to go about getting work permits for their employees. The HR department, not a lawyer, is expected to handle this and if your HR department has no experience doing this, which is probably the case, they will almost certainly mess it up. You will need to be very proactive about this. Do not assume that someone is taking care of things.
Nah, even my small company managed to get it done (no lawyers and not even a HR department here).
CaiShen, make sure that your contract states that the company is responsible for all issues related to visa and workpermit (including cost), so if something goes wrong it’s not you that has to deal with the problem.
[quote=“Feiren”]In general, work permits for people in the high tech industry and finance are issued readily. You should apply even if it appears that you do not meet the requirements.
[quote=“CaiShen”][quote=“sandman”]
That’s how I understand your point. It just seems weird to me, because in America, a company would have a lawyer that would already be well apprised of these matters. Is this not the case in Taiwan?
Regardless, I need to make sure that they do know.[/quote]
As you are about to discover, things are done a bit differently in Taiwan. Foreign employees in Taiwan are unusual enough that most companies have no idea how to go about getting work permits for their employees. The HR department, not a lawyer, is expected to handle this and if your HR department has no experience doing this, which is probably the case, they will almost certainly mess it up. You will need to be very proactive about this. Do not assume that someone is taking care of things.[/quote][/quote]
Ah, now I see the rub. The studio has a local HR department…
I will definitely need to discuss this with the GM. The thing is, how am I supposed to know whether or not HR is messing things up? It almost sounds like a case where I would want a legal expert to get involved. But is that just out of the question in Taiwan?
Nah, even my small company managed to get it done (no lawyers and not even a HR department here).
CaiShen, make sure that your contract states that the company is responsible for all issues related to visa and workpermit (including cost), so if something goes wrong it’s not you that has to deal with the problem.[/quote]
Oooh, that sounds like a very important point. Thank you, Rascal.
[quote=“CaiShen”]Ah, now I see the rub. The studio has a local HR department…
I will definitely need to discuss this with the GM. The thing is, how am I supposed to know whether or not HR is messing things up? It almost sounds like a case where I would want a legal expert to get involved. But is that just out of the question in Taiwan?
I suppose I’ll find out from the GM…[/quote]
Don’t worry too much. If they have a HR department and hired foreigners before as you say they will quite likely know what to do. Just make sure that they have full responsibility (see my advise above). My company never hired a foreigner before and the boss’ wife got it all done, all I did was to sign some of the application forms.
Caishen,
Sorry i couldn’t answer earlier, this job keeps me sooooo busy.
Let me describe you what i did and got.
I did multiple internships and worked part time for 19months at the IT support of my university while studying.
I graduated in June 2007.
I started working in Feb 2008.
My company applied for the work permit. They never even mentioned the 2 years experience rule.
In spite of it being a 700+ppl multinational, it is the HR department (and my boss’s assistant) who handled my application.
There was a big blunder with the HR about my visa, and i ended having to do a visa run to HK at my own expenses. I wasn’t smart enough to make sure that this kind of issues were covered in my contract!
I am getting my ARC on the 6th of march.
HK is beautiful and they sell Ben and Jerrys ice-cream.
From how you’ve described it, it doesn’t seem like I should have any issues with the work permit.
Sorry to hear about your visa problems though, that must have been very inconvenient. But a trip to Hong Kong is pretty nice. I’ve been there before. My wife is from Hong Kong .
I really don’t think you’re going to have a problem, but, if you’re worried, why not check out some back-up jobs in more internationalised places like Singapore, for example?
I’m arranging a backup here in the States, but I just really have my heart set on Taiwan. Singapore really doesn’t have many opportunities in my field. Taiwan doesn’t have that many either, so I really feel like I struck oil when I found this job (it’s actually a multinational game company with a studio in Taiwan).
But yah, after reading what you all have said and based on research I’ve done, I’m not that worried about it anymore. But I won’t feel “good” until everything is all tied up in a nice little bow for me.
.