Focus Taiwan
2010/08/07
Taipei, Aug. 7 (CNA) Taiwan’s youths have shown considerable enthusiasm in going abroad on working holiday programs, but interest among foreign youths in visiting Taiwan under the program has been limited because of major obstacles encountered here.
Over 10,000 Taiwanese youths head overseas every year on working holidays in four nations, but only 318 young adults have come to Taiwan on a working holiday over the past six years, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA).
Taiwan has signed working holiday agreements with four countries — New Zealand, Australia, Japan and Canada — in June 2004, November 2004, June 2009 and July 2010 respectively.
Among the four countries, New Zealand offers 600 openings and Japan 2,000 openings to Taiwanese nationals every year.
Australia has set no quota, while Canada increased its openings from 200 in the beginning to 700 at present for those aged 18-35, with less stringent conditions.
Hoping that even more young Taiwanese can go abroad to broaden their horizons, MOFA officials said they have worked hard to negotiate similar agreements with other countries in Europe and the Americas, but would not identify them before deals are reached.
The quotas set by New Zealand, Japan and Canada are usually quickly filled when opened to applicants. more …
