Work in Taipei as a foreigner at a non-teaching job

Taiwan Moving to Taiwan
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#1

Hi,
I need some advice in regards to possibly relocating to Taiwan for a year.
I am from a non-English speaking country (however my English is fluent and I have certificates to prove that) so I could not work as an English teacher and the language of my native country does not have much demand in Taiwan.

I have a diploma in marketing and am planning to get a bachelors, however currently only have the diploma (which is a certificate I got after completing 1 year of studies in the field)

I have limited experience in the field (about a year in a minor assisting job) as I have only recently finished my studies

I do have over 4 years of experience in hospitality, however I have heard it is not so much in demand industry for foreigners in Taiwan.

I am also learning traditional chinese intensively on my own and have been for the past year.

Now my question is does anyone know or have experience in getting a job legally in Taiwan in similar conditions or could make any suggestions.

Help greatly appreciated!

#2

First, why do you wanna come here? I wouldn’t happen that out of the blue you just heard Taiwan and though, let’s relocate.

Second, Taiwan is NOT a good place to search for work, specially for non-teaching jobs, Salary are low, the working environment is BAD and career progression will be severely restricted and you might even find myself in a rather obscure situation being stuck here.

Third, As a foreigner looking for non-teaching jobs, the jobs I can think are related to IT, Marketing, Sales or perhaps editing/Tech-writing work. All of those jobs will pay you less (considering you do not have experience in those fields) and it would be a struggle early on.

Finally, if you are looking for relocation, then you should really work on your Mandarin since that would help immensely in the long run, but then again, I can not get my head across the fact that why would you choose Taiwan to relocate where the language, culture, education, job, money , air etc. all are different from what most people are used to and would take time getting accustomed. .

3 Likes
#3

Which country are you relocating from?

#4

OP here.

I am currently relocating from Australia, however I am not local here and do not hold a passport here.

I have a reason for relocating to Taiwan, however I do not want to disclose it on the forum.

I have a diploma in marketing and some experience, but it is not a bachelor degree or a required 2 year work experience

#7

I think a foreigner from a non English speaking country without these two things needs a really good luck to get a work permit, unless having a Taiwanese spouse.

The only possibility I thought of is your language on your passport related jobs. But iirc, you need 2 year diploma.

#10

I do not have a Taiwanese spouse.
I know it would help with a visa.
I do have a few friends and connections there that could possibly help, but that is different obviously

#11

Are you attractive? I dated a attractive foreign girl whos job was to greet people in the lobby at a hotel. And she was given a nice room to stay at her hotel.

#12

My passport language will not help me that is definite.
I speak two relevant languages including English. However I’m not native in either

#13

I have 4 years of experience in hospitality in various roles.
I was thinking that could help me, but I don’t have any qualifications for that

#14

Hospitality doesn’t pay very much in Taiwan though. If you really want to do that, go somewhere else. You’d probably get 35k at a high end hotel. My friends gf works at the W and only make 38k after 2 years on the job.

But you don’t speak much Chinese so it’s a hard sell.

#15

Thank you for the response.
I am looking at Taiwan as it is a rather convenient option for me besides going home where the pay is even lower.

I don’t speak much Chinese, but I do spend a lot of time practicing so I am hoping to improve.
Should I opt to take an HSK test or is that irrelevant? I have checked HSK1 level and could pass it no problems, but I don’t know if I should or which level to go for. If that is even relevant or useful

#16

no tourist from your country?

Jobs that foreigners can do and required qualifications are explained in the government site. You need to look for the one you can get a work permit.

Foreign Professionals to Work in Taiwan
https://ezworktaiwan.wda.gov.tw/en/Content_List.aspx?n=3840722B002ADEAB

#17

There could be some tourists, but I guarantee nobody is interested in learning the language in Taiwan…which is a shame

Thank you very much for the link !

#18

Why I thought was a tourism related job targeting people from your country.

#19

Possibly not from my country, but I’m fluent in Russian as well…I believe there should be some tourists from Russia…what do you think?

#20

Not many Russians here. Only like young models shipped here for temporary contacts.

#21

Alright thank you

#22

Yah, some contacts are only for minutes…or so I’ve heard

#23

I’ve known several non-native English speakers working here in various jobs, but all of them had significant qualifications. The problem isn’t just finding a job. You will have a hard time finding anyone to hire you, but even if they want to, you need a work permit. To qualify for a work permit, you would almost certainly need a degree in an industry that is under-provided for by Taiwanese labor. Marketing is not in short supply. You might get a job in hospitality, but you would likely need a degree in the subject and management experience. It really seems like you don’t have the right qualifications, and you should start looking for other options like staying here as a student.
Also, if you’re from Southeast Asia, you might get work as a domestic helper or factory worker through an agency in your country, but that’s not a fun life.

#24

+1

Taiwanese government has scholarship programs for foreign students. Different requirements for work permits are applied to graduates of taiwanese universities.