The National Immigration Agency (NIA) said Tuesday it had ended a program started due to COVID-19 granting automatic 30-day visa extensions to those who entered Taiwan on or before March 21, 2020.
In a statement, the NIA said it had stopped granting automatic extensions on Oct. 5.
However, those (foreign nationals, people from mainland China/Hong Kong/Macao and nationals without a registered residence in Taiwan) whose extended visas end on or before Nov. 30 can stay in Taiwan until that date without penalty to give them time to make travel arrangements, the NIA said.
The NIA added that it would grant additional visa extensions in certain circumstances, provided the affected individuals submit the relevant documentation and apply for an extension at an NIA service center.
People eligible to apply for an extension after Oct. 5 include those who are more than seven months pregnant; those who have given birth or suffered a miscarriage within the last two months; those currently hospitalized and whose lives may be at risk by going abroad; those with relatives hospitalized in Taiwan; and those affected by forces majeure, natural disasters or other unforeseen incidents.
According to the NIA, more than 420,000 foreign nationals have been able to stay in Taiwan under the automatic monthly visa extension program.
Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel