National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior (NIA) announced Thursday that responding to the level 3 COVID-19 alert for the entire country, the suspension measures for aliens’ application of extending the duration of stay launched on May 28 will continue to June 28.
To put epidemic prevention and reduction of the flow of people in the first place, and also taking aliens’ safety and rights into account, for a total number around 16,000 aliens whose visiting or residency duration of stay in Taiwan is going to expire, the expiring date will be extended automatically, NIA said.
For aliens with an expiring Alien Resident Certificate, the expiring date will be extended for thirty days unlimitedly, and the measures will be implemented until thirty days after the COVID-19 alert for the country drops to level 2 when people can go to NIA service stations to apply for an extension of residency, NIA said.
For aliens with an expiring permitted date for visiting or with an original permission to extend the duration of stay by NIA, there is temporarily no need for application at service stations, and qualified aliens can wait until the COVID-19 alert for the country drops to level 2 to reapply with required documents within ten days, NIA said.
To simplify the application process, for aliens who are not qualified to apply for an extension of the duration of stay, within ten days after the COVID-19 alert for the country drops to level 2, they can go through relevant procedures directly at airports instead of service stations before departure, and the duration of stay from now on will not be classified as overstay, NIA added.
To prevent cluster infections involving migrant workers, NIA also calls for taking disease control measures by both employers and migrant workers and encourages migrant workers to seek medical attention or take rapid tests if not feeling comfortable or having contact with confirmed cases.
For the upcoming Dragon Boat Festival, aliens should reduce movements beyond residential areas and postpone gatherings to prevent the disease, NIA added.
