April 18, 2016
No. 099
The Republic of China (Taiwan) and the Czech Republic began accepting applications April 18 for their bilateral youth working holiday program. This follows the completion of preparatory work conducted by the two sides after the signing of a related memorandum of understanding between the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office (TECO) in Prague and the Czech Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei on December 28, 2015.
Each year, Taiwan and the Czech Republic will each provide up to 100 young people aged between 18 and 26 with the opportunity to travel to the other country for working holidays and stay there for a maximum of one year from the date of visa issuance.
The Czech Republic is the ninth European nation to implement a working holiday scheme with Taiwan—following the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, Belgium, Hungary, Slovakia, Poland, and Austria—as well as the 14th country worldwide. The program offers an additional option for youth from both countries who seek to broaden their international horizon.
Online information on working holidays in Taiwan is available for young people from the Czech Republic on the website of TECO in Prague (http://www.taiwanembassy.org/CZ). Chinese-language information for Taiwan youth intending to embark on a working holiday in the Czech Republic is available on the website http://youthtaiwan.net.
In accordance with the Czech Employment Act, Taiwan youth participating in the program must obtain a work permit from a Public Employment Office in the Czech Republic before they commence working. Information on related application procedures can be found on the website of the Czech Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs (http://portal.mpsv.cz).
The ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs advises Taiwan youth travelling to the Czech Republic under this program to abide by local laws, learn as much as possible about the country, and maintain regular contact with their family in Taiwan, so that they enjoy a safe and productive stay in the Czech Republic. In the event of any emergency during their stay in the Czech Republic, Taiwan youth should contact TECO in Prague. (E)