MY CURRENT SITUATION
I’ve been in Taiwan for about 15 months. I work legally with an ARC and work permit provided by my school per our contract. I have signed another one year contract and they have just renewed my ARC for the second year.
That’s all fine.
The problem is that I just found out that I need to go back home in January for five months because of family obligations. 
A leave of absence is out of the question as the maximum amount of time I could take is one month. I don’t want to burn any bridges, so I plan to give the school one month notice of my departure.
Our contract states that if I commit a breach of contract the school will cancel their sponsorship of my ARC with the respective Taiwanese immigration authorities. That’s fine. I want to come back to Taiwan after the five months to work but not at the same school as I’m at right now. I plan to return on a vistor’s visa and start the ARC procedure again. Just like I did the first time I came here.
I’m worried that if I quit there could be some complications getting a work visa at the new school in five months. What steps can I take to make certain a smooth transistion when I return? I’ve heard that foriegners need to be released from their work permit to work at an other school after quiting. Do I need to be released? Is my ARC and work permit connected? Who do I contact to get solid information? What about the ‘blacklist’? Does it really exist or is it just a truncheon that schools hold over teachers’ heads? :?
Any information would be appreciated. Thank-you
Christopher