By Theofanie Over the years, Taiwan has consistently earned a reputation as an appealing destination for both travel and long-term residence. Renowned for its captivating blend of cultures, stunning landscapes, an array of amazing cuisines, and an exceptional level of safety, Taiwan exerts a strong allure on foreigners who choose to relocate to the island for work or academic pursuits. According to the statistics provided by the Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency, as of July 2023, there were more than 800,000 foreigners living in Taiwan, accounting for approximately 3.5% of the total population. Having said that, when it comes to securing employment in Taiwan, foreign job seekers must compete for job opportunities not just against the Taiwanese residents but also with a segment of the 800,000 foreign residents in this constrained job market. Given the competitiveness in applying for a job in the Taiwanese job market due to a large pool of applicants, numerous challenges also arise for foreigners when competing with Taiwanese candidates, which can hinder their job prospects. 1. Documents or Legal Requirements It is evident that obtaining permission to work in Taiwan is one of the significant barriers for foreigners seeking employment. This is because local HR departments often prefer to hire Taiwanese candidates due to the perceived complexity of sponsoring certain documents for foreigners, as outlined below: • Taiwan Work Permit Foreign employees are initially required to sign an employment agreement with their company. Subsequently, they should utilize the employment letter provided by the company to initiate the application process for a work permit, which is granted by the Ministry of Labor. This complexity arises from the fact that the process of securing a work permit for foreigners becomes considerably more challenging and intricate due to varying requirements that should be met depending on the sectors in which the job applicants are employed. For further information, individuals can refer to the Ministry of Labor’s website. • Taiwan Work Visa Before making the journey to Taiwan, individuals planning to work legally in Taiwan must complete the application process for a Taiwan work visa. It is essential to emphasize that obtaining a job offer from a Taiwanese company is a prerequisite for this visa application, as a formal letter of employment is mandatory. Additionally, prospective workers must secure employment approval from the Ministry of Labor to obtain the necessary employment permit, which is instrumental in the work visa application process. Furthermore, various supporting documents are also essential components of this application. • Taiwan Residence Permit (Alien Resident Certificate) To reside in Taiwan for an extended period, a valid residence permit known as an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) must be acquired from a local service centre of the Taiwan National Immigration Agency. After addressing the complexity involved in preparing the necessary documents prior to the departure for Taiwan, it is time to examine some other possible hurdles that foreign job seekers might encounter, which may at times hinder their employment prospects in the country. 2. Language Barriers In Taiwan, where Mandarin reigns as the official language, it is an undeniable fact that nearly every job opportunity within the country requires, at the very least, a foundational grasp of Mandarin. This linguistic necessity is not solely to ease interactions with Taiwanese locals, although they can often converse in English; Mandarin is the preferred mode of communication. Furthermore, for those aspiring to professional roles in fields like business or healthcare, a robust command of Mandarin is frequently non-negotiable. Numerous businesses and organizations conduct their affairs in this language. Consequently, in the competitive landscape of job openings, the scales often tip in favour of Taiwanese citizens over foreign applicants. The rationale behind this preference is simple: bilingual Taiwanese candidates effortlessly bridge the communication divide, engaging both foreign partners and local colleagues, whereas foreign hires, despite their proficiency in Mandarin, may encounter subtle challenges when cultivating relationships with their Taiwanese colleagues. This is why foreigners face challenges when attempting to find employment in Taiwan. 3. Culture Differences The preference to hire local Taiwanese candidates over foreigners can be reinforced when considering cultural differences. Taiwanese individuals often possess a deeper familiarity with local business customs and tend to adapt more swiftly to the work environment. Furthermore, in roles requiring extensive interaction with local clients or colleagues, Taiwanese candidates are typically favoured. Another interesting aspect is that, apart from cultural disparities, foreigners might encounter distinct workplace challenges in Taiwan. The Taiwanese work culture, markedly distinct from many Western countries, can be exemplified by expectations such as employees being present in the office from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and sometimes even working overtime, even when their assigned tasks are completed. This contrasts with Western companies, which may prioritize task completion and job performance over strict adherence to office hours. As a result, in certain cases during the job application process, foreigners often come across stereotypes associated with taking frequent short breaks during work hours. This perception doesn’t align with the prevailing work culture in Taiwan and can mistakenly imply that they are not working hard during their designated work hours. This divergence in work culture can pose difficulties for foreigners to secure employment with Taiwanese companies. Numerous barriers, ranging from the approval of work documents in Taiwan to language barriers and cultural disparities, have indeed posed significant challenges for foreigners seeking employment in the country. Often, these difficulties are not necessarily indicative of employment discrimination, but rather a misalignment between the preferences of job-seeking foreigners and the specific requirements of the companies they apply to.
In such cases, it is essential not to be disheartened by rejection during the application process. One valuable suggestion for foreigners aspiring to establish long-term careers in Taiwan is to explore opportunities with multinational companies that maintain branches in Taiwan. These organizations are typically more receptive to hiring individuals of various nationalities, as their primary operations are often conducted internationally, allowing them to prioritize other languages other than Mandarin in their daily business affairs. a
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The Taida Student Journal has been active since 1995 with an ever-changing roster of student journalists at NTU. Click the above link to read about the authors Archives
May 2024
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