My school is taking some risks I’m not comfortable with, and I don’t want to get into it. We have a LOT of competitive schools as neighbors, any one of them could drop a dime on me.
I’ve decided to stay there, and know that deportation is a risk. I teach 5 year olds. I am more or less ready to leave Taiwan anyway. I’ll let God roll the dice.
So, if the law comes in, and boots me out, what happens.
How much does it cost me?
How long do I have to leave Taiwan?
Does my boss pay me until my last working day?
Do I have to pay a fine?
I’m all cool with hopping a plane to Korea or Thailand or anywhere and starting over, and kissing Taiwan goodbye.
How bad is it? I’m thinking I should get a bug out bag ready just in case it’s fast.
Are deportations that frequent? Everyone seems scared of them on this board, but I can’t remember any “I’m Being Deported” threads in the last year or so.
I can only relate what a past Forumosa member related to me. This was a few years ago so things may have changed.
Apparently a school competitor reported that there was a westerner teaching at a nearby kindy. At the end of the class an immigration employee showed up during class and met with the employer. At the end of the class, she waited for the kiddys to leave and showed up at the classroom door on another floor of the school. She asked for an ARC or APRC. My friend showed her ARC. The officer apparantly spoke English very well and explained that what XX was doing was illegal and that there would be a meeting with the employer and XX at the immigration office. She left and XX met with her boss and was given the time of the meeting. XX was told not to worry, that boss woman would work it out - either didn’t or couldn’t. At the meeting which was a couple of days later, immigration informed XX that they had revoked her ARC and she would have 8 more day to leave the country. I guess you get 10 days total from the date of cancellation. XX left in about 7 days and hasn’t been back. I don’t think she can - at least for a period of time which I think is one year but I am not certain.
I’m not sure what penalty the kindy received.
If you are willing to take the risk and can remove yourself in a short time, I guess you have calculated the risk and are willing to stand the consequences, but why not just do it right and find a job where you don’t have to be looking over your shoulder all the time?
If you have to move out and try to get your rental deposit, you may not have enough time so there is a loss. Also your boss may not pay for the last pay period because s/he knows you will be gone and can’t complain. More loss. A quick ticket out of here is usually more spendy - more loss.
On a side note, what is your school doing about taxes. If it’s just a kindy, immigration is going to know because the tax office shares your employment information with immigration. You may have a greater risk than you realize.