[Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network] National Immigration Agency encourages overstaying migrant workers to self-report since February 1st this year. Those who "self-report" during the program period will be given a "lenient" punishment. They will be no detention with minimum fine of NT$2,000 and will not be exempted from entry ban.
Song, a Thai migrant worker arrived in Taiwan to work. He ran away to Kaohsiung City and hid there for a month. In Gangshan, he has been doing part-time work at a Thai restaurant. When the employer learnt about his predicament, she accompanied him to the NIA Kaohsiung Specialized Corps. to self-report. Song was relieved with joy that he is allowed to return to Thailand and reunite with his family with minimum fine of NT$2,000 and no detention.
In October of last year, Song arrived in Yilan, Taiwan, to start working in a steel factory. He frequently got sick because he was unbale to adapt the environment here. He quitted the factory where he had initially applied and moved to Kaohsiung to work part-time jobs in a Thai restaurant and became a disconnected overstayer.
Read more: Overstayers self-report for reduced penalty! Let NIA help you home!
"Expanded overstayers voluntary departure program." Program period from February 1st to June 30th Photo provided by National Immigration Agency
The kind-hearted employer accompanied Song to the NIA Kaohsiung Specialized Corps. to self-report day before yesterday. She learned that from February 1st, the National Immigration Agency promoted the "Expanded overstayers voluntary departure program." Migrant workers, who voluntarily self-report from February 1st to June 30th, can not only end their illegal working life in hiding, but also return home safely without being detained, and the fine can be reduced.
NIA Kaohsiung Specialized Corps. stated that the draft amendments to some provisions of the entry and exit and immigration laws have been sent to the Legislative Yuan for review. Overstaying fines will be increased from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000. The maximum length of control for arriving to Taiwan will be expanded from the initial maximum of 3 years to a maximum of 10 years, and fines of overstaying will rise from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000. NIA has also suggested enhancement measures to address the flaws in immigration and epidemic prevention.
National Immigration Agency has set up a free consultation hotline 0800-024-881 (ByeBye) for this program, which provides multi-language services. Citizens and foreigners who have overstayed (resident) can also use this hotline to inquire.
