Enough funds to get up. See the second FAQ for more details.
Your degree and any other relevant qualifications. We will need to see the original copies when applying for the ARC. For more about this, see requirements.
A visa for at least 60 days, see the visa FAQ below.
Although the cost of living is favorable and most expats are able to save, do make sure that you have enough funds for your arrival. It may take longer than a month to secure a position working at a school. Pay day is usually on the 10th of each month, so you might end up waiting over two months for your first salary. Don't forget that apartments require a deposit of two months, and you may need to purchase things for your home, such as bedding and utensils.
Prior to coming to Taiwan, don't forget to go to your local Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO), and apply for a 60-day visitor visa, there is not enough time to convert a two-week landing visa into a resident visa. If you arrive on a landing visa, you will have to make a visa run to Hong Kong to get the visitor visa.
A few countries are starting to offer longer landing visas, such as the UK, which now grants a 90-day visa on arrival, therefore if you are British or Irish, you do not need to apply for the 60-day visitor visa. Please call your local TECO office and double check, as this information may change at any time!
Housing is more expensive in Taipei than the rest of the island.
Taipei room in shared apartment: NT$6000–15,000 (10,000 is typical)
Taipei studio apartment: NT$12,000–30,000 (15,000 is typical)
Rest of Taiwan room in shared apartment: NT$4000–10000 (7000 is typical)
Rest of Taiwan studio apartment: NT$6000–20,000 (10,000 is typical)
You'll also have to cover water, gas, electricity and a building maintenance/security fee. These costs may combine to about NT$2000 per month; however, use of the air conditioner in summer will increase the electricity bill considerably.
Our classrooms are English-only environments in which the students (and the teacher!) are discouraged from speaking Chinese. Therefore, when the lesson requires the presentation of some point or idea that might be beyond the students' English vocabulary, the teacher must rely on non-verbal methods to be effective. Actions, visual aids, the students themselves, are all integral parts to a teacher's presentation.
There are a number of national holidays each year, such as Moon Festival in the fall and Dragon Boat Festival in the summer. The dates for Chinese New Year vary each year, occurring in January or February. Teachers on a full time contract can get five days of paid vacation in their second year of employment. Teachers can also apply for unpaid leave.
Taiwan has an excellent, comprehensive national health care program. For a flat fee of around NT$150, you can see a doctor or dentist, receive consultation and medicine. There is a monthly charge for enrollment in the program that is deducted directly from your salary. The monthly health insurance charge is between NT$600 and NT$1000.
The tax system is complicated, as it depends on various factors, such as your arrival date, time spent in Taiwan and salary. Typically, a teacher will pay 20% tax for the first 6 months or year. At some point, the tax usually drops to about 10% or sometimes lower. The tax year runs from January to December, and in the following May, everyone files their taxes for the previous year. You may qualify for a rebate, which will become available in August or September.
Chevady is the loveable Kid Castle mascot who makes regular appearances in the textbooks. Sometimes Chevady is joined by his sister, Dommie, or other family members. Chevady is a dragon, instantly recognizable by his nose of love!
