The Executive Yuan will pass the amendment draft of some provisions of the "Entry, Exit and Immigration Law" prepared by the Ministry of the Interior today (12th).

(Provided by the Executive Yuan)

[Reporter Zhong Lihua/Taipei Report] The Executive Yuan will pass the revision draft of some articles of the "Entry, Exit and Immigration Law" prepared by the Ministry of the Interior today (12th). This time, a total of 52 articles have been amended. The main purpose is to loosen the stay and residence regulations and increase the number of high-quality talents. Incentives for coming to and staying in Taiwan, as well as increased penalties and new forms of punishment, in order to strengthen law enforcement in the investigation and arrest of illegal immigrants. On the one hand, it will create a better and friendly talent recruitment and residence environment, and on the other hand, it will also take into account the maintenance of national security.

In order to prevent foreigners from overstaying in Taiwan, the draft amendments increased the fines for overstayers from 2,000 yuan to 10,000 yuan to 30,000 yuan to 150,000 yuan, and extended the period of banning them from entering the country from the original maximum of 3 years , increased to 10 years.

Please read on...

According to the revised draft, if there is any shelter or hiding of those who have expired, a fine of 60,000 to 300,000 yuan can be imposed; media foreigners who engage in activities that do not meet the reasons for suspension or residence can be fined 200,000 to 1 million yuan.

In addition, if foreigners or nationals without household registration are allowed to enter the country illegally, they shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of 1 to 7 years or a fine of 1 million yuan or less; to be banned from going abroad and to hold forged, altered or fraudulently used passports or travel documents to go abroad for inspection Those who commit crimes shall be sentenced to fixed-term imprisonment of not more than 3 years or a fine of not more than 90,000 yuan to deter illegal activities.

In order to protect the family reunification rights of marriage immigrants, the draft adds that foreign spouses who are widowed and have not remarried, or who have been legally resident, have custody of minor children in my country or have met and interacted with them, can apply for residence after entering the country with a stay visa Regulation.

In addition, considering the current regulations, a divorce can only be granted and the custody of the minor biological children can be obtained in order to continue to reside.

In order to protect the residence rights of foreign spouses who are victims of domestic violence, the amendment relaxes the requirement for divorce due to domestic violence and not remarried, and does not abolish the residence permit.

In order to attract outstanding foreign talents to come to Taiwan and stay in Taiwan, the draft newly includes those who have made special contributions to our country, senior professionals, first prize winners in various professional fields, spouses of investment immigration applicants, children under the age of 18, and children with disabilities. be accompanied by an application for permanent residence.

In addition, in order to simplify the application process for foreigners, for academic research institution consultants, university lectures, or white-collar professionals stipulated in the Law on the Recruitment and Employment of Foreign Professionals, after entering the country with a visa-free or stay visa, the amendment is relaxed and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is exempted from changing the application. For a residence visa, apply directly to the Immigration Department for an Alien Residence Permit, and the same applies for the spouse and children.

The draft amendment also relaxes the deadline for foreigners who have obtained a residence permit to apply for an alien residence permit after entering the country, from 15 days to 30 days.

In addition, in order to attract overseas Chinese to return to the country, it is relaxed that nationals without household registration who enter the country with Chinese passports are exempted from applying for entry permits, and those who have legally stayed for more than 5 years (currently more than 7 years), and live for more than 183 days per year, can apply for residence permits. .

In addition, for children born overseas of Chinese nationals who enter the country with Chinese passports, the age limit for applying for settlement will be abolished.