THE BASICS - IF YOU INTEND TO WORK IN TAIWAN, YOU SHOULD NOT EXPECT TO BE GIVEN A CONTRACT OR WORKING VISA BEFORE YOU HAVE PHYSICALLY ARRIVED IN THE COUNTRY. 

For one reason or another, most people who intend working as English teachers in Taiwan find it easier to enter the country as tourists and THEN apply for work visas after they get here. This is what most people seem to recommend. 

So, general experience seems to dictate that prospective teachers come to Taiwan as tourists, THEN start the process of wrapping up your employment details.

The vital thing to remember is that this is the way everyone seems to do things. Just follow this advice and you'll be fine. Really.
About the 
visa application process...
 1) FIRST - BUY A RETURN AIRTICKET TO TAIWAN, THEN APPLY FOR A TAIWANESE VISITOR'S VISA IN YOUR OWN COUNTRY.

Buy an airticket to Taiwan (we suggest a return ticket valid for one year). Once you've done this, apply for a 60-day Visitor Visa at your nearest representative office of the Republic Of China On Taiwan (ROCT). (Call the office in advance and check on their visa requirements). They might want to see a written invitation from a friend in Taiwan, as well as a return airticket, a travel itinerary and a vaild passport. The process usually takes less than 5 working days.

We have also had reports that some people are being asked to provide proof of sufficient funds before a visa will be issued, so please read the 'Financial Status' section at the bottom of this page.

NB - do NOT mention anything at all about wanting to look for work in Taiwan. Remember - you're just a tourist. 
2) SECOND - FLY TO TAIWAN

Once you're in possession of the Visitor Visa, get on a plane and fly to Taiwan. If you intend applying for a job once here, please make sure that you have your original degree certificate on you.

Remember - you're entering the country as a tourist.  The fact that you may have pre-arranged prospective employment is an entirely private matter between you and any prospective employers.

 3) THIRD - GET YOUR MEDICAL CHECK

If you have arranged things in advance, you'll be met at the airport and taken to your prospective school. You'll check out the school and will be given temporary accommodation. Within the first day or two in the country, your prospective employer will take you for the mandatory health check at a local hospital, the results of which will take a few days to be be finalised and made available. 

4) FOURTH- APPLY FOR THE WORK VISA

Once the health check has given you the 'all clear', your prospective employer will apply for your Work Visa. This will take a couple of weeks, after which your school should receive your Work Visa. Once this is done, you're legally permitted to work in the country. 

Your passport will then be sent to the relevant Ministry which will stamp a Resident's Visa into your passport.

  

5) FIFTH - GET THE ALIEN REGISTRATION CERTIFICATE (ARC).

Once you've received the Resident's Visa, you will be able to apply to the local Police for the ARC. This is your local I.D and the final stage to full legality in Taiwan, after which you'll be able to open bank accounts and do anything else which locals can do.

And that's it, really. More questions are welcome.
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