Taiwan allows fifth extension of stay for foreign visitors

ROC Central News Agency

07/17/2020 02:32 PM

Taipei, July 17 (CNA) Foreign nationals who entered Taiwan as visitors on or before March 21 will be eligible to obtain another 30-day extension of stay, given that international flights have not yet fully resumed due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) said Friday.

The automatic extension, the fifth being offered, will apply to all foreign nationals who entered the country visa-free or on a visitor's or landing visa before March 22 and have no record of overstaying, MOFA said in a press release.

With the new 30-day extension, such visitors will be eligible to remain in Taiwan for a total 180 days, and there will be no further extensions, MOFA said.

Visitors who have been granted the five automatic extensions should therefore make arrangements to leave before the end of the 180-day period, the ministry advised.

The automatic visa extension program was implemented on March 21, and was renewed on April 17, May 18, and June 15, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which has crippled air travel around the world.

MOFA said that foreign visitors who have already been in Taiwan for 180 days and those who have overstayed their visas are advised to check the National Immigration Agency (NIA) website at https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/ for information on how to apply for a special extension.

(By Chen Yun-yu and Elizabeth Hsu)

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