According to the proposed changes, foreign students studying in Taiwan would be eligible to apply for a one-year extension of their residence after completing their studies.
According to the proposed changes, foreign students studying in Taiwan would be eligible to apply for a one-year extension of their residence after completing their studies.
Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior proposed amendments to allow foreigners in the country to extend their residence following graduation or for family care purposes.
In a recent announcement, the MOI stated that the proposed amendments to the Regulations Governing Visiting, Residence, and Permanent Residence of Aliens are aimed at protecting the rights and interests of foreigners in Taiwan, as reported by Liberty Times via Taiwan News.
The amendments also seek to eliminate the re-entry permit requirement for foreign migrant workers.
Data from Statista showed that Taiwan welcomed around 93,000 international students from various countries in 2021, representing a diverse range of academic pursuits. Although this figure reflected a modest increase compared to 2020, it remained significantly lower than the pre-pandemic levels experienced before the global health crisis.
According to the proposed changes, foreign students studying in Taiwan would be eligible to apply for a one-year extension of their residence after completing their studies.
They could also request an additional extension, allowing a maximum stay of two years. The one-year cap on residence validity will be eliminated for foreigners studying in government-registered educational institutions, including Mandarin-language institutes affiliated with colleges or universities, short-term cram schools offering Mandarin courses, and those married to Taiwanese nationals applying for residency for the first time.
The amendments also seek to relax extension restrictions for foreigners with seriously ill or injured family members holding alien residence certificates or alien permanent residence certificates who require hospital care. Applicants would need to submit their request three months before their stay expiration.
Additionally, foreign nationals over 18 years old, meeting specific criteria, and having Taiwanese parents with household registration in Taiwan or permitted residence status, would be able to apply for a residence extension.
This provision would also apply to foreign citizens with at least one parent who is a Hong Kong or Macau citizen with residency in Taiwan.
Moreover, the proposed amendments would abolish the “re-entry permit system” for foreign migrant workers, allowing them to have unlimited entry and exit privileges while applying for their alien residence certificate.
The MOI has opened a consultation period until July 24, during which foreign residents can provide their opinions on the proposed amendments, ensuring public engagement in the decision-making process.
