admin • February 19, 2018 • 19640

The Taiwan government on February 8 began the implementation of a law aimed at attracting foreign professionals.

In an announcement by the National Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) on Monday, a quota of 2,000 has been set for the first year of the job-seeking visa which allows foreign nationals to remain in Taiwan for up to six months while looking for employment.

Applicants with work experience will be required to provide documents showing their average monthly salary of at least NT$ 47,000 or P85,000 per month in their most recent six months of employment, while those with no work experience should submit their diploma from one the 500 schools recognized by Taiwan’s ministry of education.

All applicants must be able to prove they have funds of at least NT$ 100,000 or P180,000 to cover their basic living costs for six months in Taiwan.

Other required supporting documents include a police record, a job-seeking plan, and proof of health insurance coverage for the duration of the applicant’s stay in Taiwan.

The new program will be an added advantage for Filipinos after the Taiwan government allowed visa-free entry for one year.

“Magandang balita po iyan para sa mga kababayan natin sa Pilipinas lalo na po sa mga skilled workers. Mas madali po makakapag-apply, wala na po masyadong hassle at mas dadami kami dito sa Taiwan,” said Filipino engineer, Marvin Cruz.

(That is good news for our countrymen in the Philippines especially for skilled workers. Many will be able to apply without much hassle. There will be more of us in Taiwan soon.)

“Kung matutuloy po yan na magbukas sila nagbabalak rin po akong makapasok para rin po sa mas mataas na rate ng sahod kaysa factory worker,” said Rommel Salud, an electrical engineering graduate working as a factory worker.

(If it pushes through I am planning to apply for a chance at a higher salary than a factory worker.)

The application fee for US passport holders is around US$160 and for citizens of all other countries US$50.

Additional information and application forms for the new job-seeking visas are available on the National Bureau of Consular Affairs website. —Amiel Pascual | UNTV News & Rescue