TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Foreign citizens who entered Taiwan before March 21 will be allowed to extend their stay by an additional 30 days without having to file an official application, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Friday (April 17).
As the Wuhan coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic decimates air travel and countries impose restrictive immigration rules, many travelers who have been trapped overseas are unable to respect official residency deadlines. MOFA has already allowed foreign visitors one 30-day extension, with Friday's announcement now allowing for a total extension of 60 days.
The new measure applies to all foreigners who entered Taiwan legally before March 21, regardless of whether they did so visa-free, with a visa on arrival, or with any other official visa, as long as they have not overstayed yet, CNA reported.
Nevertheless, MOFA cautioned that a person's stay could not exceed 180 days, with the first full day after arrival being counted as day one.
In the case of overstayers, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) has a program, valid from March 20 to June 30, during which people who voluntarily report to the authorities will not be detained and will receive the lowest possible fine.
