Taiwan Immigrants' Global News Network-NIA to Publicize "Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program” at Taipei Main Station

[Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network] Given that the relaxation of the epidemic situation in countries and the resumption of international flights, National Immigration Agency promotes the "Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program” from February 1^st to June 30^th, 2023. On the first Sunday (February 5^th) of the project, a press conference was held at Taipei Main Station. Not only the Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior, but also the Director-General of NIA and guests from various units stationed in Taiwan also attended the event. Indonesian band and Taiwan-Vietnamese second-generation immigrants singers were invited to perform live. There were also activities such as check-in and gift giving, hoping to attract the crowds of Taipei Main Station on weekends and holidays to publicized "Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program” to the general public, so that foreigners who have overstayed in Taiwan for some reason can return home as soon as possible.

Many new immigrants who wore traditional costumes and brought their families to participate in the event. Photo provided from Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network

Undersecretary of the Ministry of the Interior(吳堂安), but also the Director-General of NIA(鐘景琨), promote the policy in person and toured the food stalls. Photo provided from Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network

In the hall on the first floor of Taipei Main Station, there are also cultural and food stalls from the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, which bring artworks and daily necessities with cultural characteristics from each country. Each stands also prepares local traditional food for free to the people participating in the event. Before the start of the publicity activities, the main stage of the hall invited the Indonesian band(第5音符) and the well-known rapper "Peach A1J" of the second-generation immigrant of Vietnamese to sing the opening performance in the hall of Taipei Main Station. There were also many new immigrants who wore traditional costumes and brought their families to participate in the event.

National Immigration Agency also sent out immigration officers who are fluent in several languages to take turns at the activity. Photo provided from Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network

The immigration officer doll at the activity. Photo provided from Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network

National Immigration Agency also sent out immigration officers who are fluent in several languages to take turns at the activity and inform the locals of this policy in Chinese, English, Thai, Indonesian, and Vietnamese. This was done in order to ensure that everyone there understood this measure.

Indonesian band(第5音符) performed at the activity. Photo provided from Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network

The Ministry of the Interior said that a draft modification of several sections of the "Immigration Act " has been revised to stop foreigners from overstaying in our nation and has been forwarded to the Legislative Yuan for evaluation. After the project period, the overdue fine will increase from NT$ 30,000 to NT$ 150,000, and the control period for entering Taiwan has been changed from a maximum of 3 years to a maximum of 10 years. The current overdue fine is NT$ 2,000. It is strongly advised that immigrants who have overstayed in Taiwan to seize the opportunity to report themselves.

Participating new immigrants went on live to share the information to friends. Photo provided from Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network

According to the National Immigration Agency, a couple of Indonesians who had gone in a relationship during their overstay in Taiwan returned to their country together and got married on the first day the program was put into action. National Immigration Agency has set up a free consultation hotline 0800-024-881 for this program, which provides multi-language services. Citizens and foreigners who have overstayed can also use this hotline to inquire.

There are also cultural and food stalls from the Philippines, Vietnam, Thailand and Indonesia, which bring artworks and daily necessities with cultural characteristics from each country. Photo provided from Taiwan Immigrants’ Global News Network

"Taipei Main Station is gathered with people on weekends and holidays, and it's also a place where many new immigrants gather here," said Undersecretary (吳堂安) of the Ministry of the Interior. “In order to return home and be reunited with their families as soon as possible, foreigners who have overstayed in Taiwan can learn about this program and are invited to come to the case on their own.” He added.