Work and Travel in Taiwan

VOLUNTEER AND PAID WORK OPPORTUNITIES IN TAIWAN FOR TRAVELLERS

Taiwan is an island with a long and colorful history. Now visitors to this part of Asia are fast becoming enamored with Taiwan. With a complex claim to being the true rulers of the Chinese mainland, it’s a rather difficult political situation.

But this won’t impact tourists who want to work and travel in Taiwan. Read through our travel guide to Taiwan to take advantage of the myriad of different projects available in the country right now.

1. Teach English in Taiwan

Like the rest of the developed Asian countries, there’s a big demand for English teaching in Taiwan. Local people want to learn English so they can work around the world. There’s a great emphasis placed on education here. Native English speakers are able to pick up work in schools without too much trouble.

Travel in Taiwan and work in a school or on a private basis. There are plenty of jobs across the country, but the majority of these will be found in the capital of Taipei.

It’s also possible to find paid teaching work in Taiwan.

2. Work in Elderly Care in Taiwan

Taiwan is experiencing a cultural change when it comes to the role of family and taking care of said family as they enter old age. It’s become such an issue that volunteering opportunities in Taiwan are now popping up all over the place in residential care homes.

You don’t necessarily need to be qualified in order to work in these homes. Many volunteers are tasked with simply keeping the residents company.

If you have any handyman skills, you can also work in homes in poorer areas, plying your skills.

3. Work in Restoration Work

Taipei is known for its huge number of temples and museums. The problem is that most of them don’t get the funding they need from the government. It’s down to private investors to provide the funding and the expertise necessary to restore these sites to their former glory.

If you want to work and travel in Taiwan, restoration work can be a great option if you’re looking to do something different. You’ll have the chance to do something out of the ordinary and help Taiwan retain its cultural heritage.

VOLUNTEER WORK VISA / PERMIT REQUIREMENTS FOR TAIWAN

Travel in Taiwan is simple for people from the majority of countries. Citizens of Canada, the US, the European Union (EU), the UK, Australia. New Zealand, Japan, and South Korea are able to enter the country for 90 days. This is a visa-on-arrival and all you have to do is fill out a form when you land.

Canada and the UK have a special agreement with Taiwan that allows their citizens to extend their ordinary 90-day visa to 180 days when they have already landed. This is due to reciprocity agreements in place.

Russian citizens are able to get a visa-on-arrival that lasts for 30 days.

South Africans, Mexicans, Indians, and Chinese citizens must apply for a visa in advance. Take note that due to the political issues between Taiwan and the mainland, there are special restrictions in place for Chinese citizens.

SEASONAL BACKPACKER SKILLS NEEDED IN TAIWAN

SPRING WORK

Taiwan enjoys four distinct seasons. The spring season lasts until May and is when the country’s plum and cherry blossoms are in bloom. It brings a variety of tourists to the country.

This is why it’s possible to find work in a guesthouse or hostel. You’ll be able to work in Taiwan with fellow travellers and enjoy getting to know one place for a longer period of time. The majority of these jobs involve payment in the form of free accommodation and food.

It’s also the time to join conservation organisations to help protect the natural wonders of the country. It’s by far the best time of year for this as the temperatures are tolerable and you won’t experience as much rain.

SUMMER JOBS

The summer is an extremely trying time to work and travel in Taiwan. The problem is that the temperatures are exceedingly hot and humid. It also happens to be the typhoon season, which is why you can expect to see huge storms on a semi-regular basis.

We recommend volunteering opportunities in Taiwan like working in residential care homes and English teaching. These types of projects will ensure you don’t have to worry about the impact of weather on your work.

AUTUMN

Many people say that autumn is the ideal time of year to travel in Taiwan, and for good reason. The rains are winding down, the temperatures are warm but not too warm, and there’s lots of sunshine.

It’s a great time to join historical conservation projects in the country. You’ll have the option of working in far off temples or hosting groups that visit these sites. All you need to partake in these projects is an interest in history and a willingness to work.

WINTER

The winter season is pretty mild by European and North American standards. Frost and snow are uncommon in the urban areas.

But if you’re not looking to suffer outside, we recommend referring to the ‘Summer’ section for examples of projects that are best taken on during the colder months of the year.

ATTITUDE TO FOREIGNERS WORKING OR VOLUNTEERING IN TAIWAN

Taiwan is a modern country on par with China, Japan, and South Korea. Expect to find all the modern comforts of home mixed with the natural wonders of the island. You’re not going to experience any problems volunteering or working in the country.

You do need to be aware of the fact that there are serious issues between Taiwan and China. It’s not as simple as Taiwan wanting independence from China and China opposing it. Many local Taiwanese see themselves as the true rulers of China, dating back to the Chinese Civil War, when the nationalist government was deposed by the communists and fled to Taiwan.

So it’s not as simple as it seems and you should avoid mentioning the issue when you visit the island.

Do you want to work and travel in Taiwan this year?