Fourth automatic 30-day extension for foreigners entering Taiwan on or before March 21 with visa waiver, visitor visa, or landing visa (no application required) (overstayers excepted)
- Created:2020-06-15
- Data Source:Bureau Of Consular Affairs
- Counter:29223
Due to the impact that COVID-19 border control measures and flight bans have had on foreign visitors to Taiwan, MOFA announced the first automatic 30-day visa extension on March 21, the second on April 17, and the third on May 18.
Although the pandemic has recently showed signs of abating, nations worldwide are still generally enforcing strict border controls and international airlines have yet to resume regular operations, making international travel difficult. In light of these conditions, MOFA announces that all travelers who entered Taiwan on or before March 21, 2020, on a visitor visa, a landing visa, or through a visa-waiver program and who have not overstayed their legal stay period will now be granted a fourth automatic 30-day extension (The duration of stay has thus been extended to 120 days in total). No application is required. The total period of stay cannot exceed 180 days. (The day after the entry date will be counted as the first day of stay). These conditions are subject to change and may be adjusted as circumstances require.
Foreigners who have already stayed in Taiwan for the maximum 180 days or those who have overstayed their visas should consult the National Immigration Agency website ( https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/ ). The website details the regulations for foreigners who meet specific criteria during the pandemic to apply for special duration of stay extensions, as well as explaining the Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program and other measures.
【Frequently Asked Questions】
Q1:
How is the duration of stay calculated for foreign visitors who are covered by the 30-day automatic extension measures announced on March 21, April 17, May 18 and June 15?
A:
The total duration of stay is the period granted by the original visitor visa, landing visa, or visa-waiver program plus 30 days for each of the automatic extensions (The duration of stay thus has been extended to 120 days in total). The day after the entry date is counted as the first day of stay.
Example
A Singapore national entering Taiwan on March 18 under the visa-waiver program was granted a 30-day stay until April 17. Based on the previous extension measures announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 21, April 17 and May 18, this Singapore national’s duration of stay was automatically extended to July 16. According to MOFA’s announcement of the fourth 30-day extension on June 15, the duration of stay has been further extended to August 15. The total duration of stay for this Singapore national under the visa-waiver program has thus been extended from 30 to 150 days.
Q2:
Will the third 30-day automatic extension be fully granted if it brings the total duration of stay to more than 180 days?
A:
No. Foreign visitors are permitted a maximum duration of stay of 180 days. If the 30-day automatic extension brings the total duration of stay to more than 180 days, the extension will only be partially granted, i.e., enough days to reach the maximum of 180. Foreigners who have already stayed in Taiwan for the maximum 180 days or those who have overstayed their visas should consult the National Immigration Agency website (https://www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/). The website details the regulations for foreigners who meet specific criteria during the pandemic to apply for special duration of stay extensions, as well as explaining the Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program and other measures.
Example
A foreign national entered the Republic of China prior to March 21, 2020 on a visitor visa or the visa waiver status and has already stayed in Taiwan for 170 days according to the previous automatic extension schemes is only allowed to have another 10 days stay duration.
Q3:
Does the 30-day automatic extension of duration of stay announced on June 15 apply to foreign nationals who entered Taiwan after March 21?
A:
No. The automatic extensions announced by MOFA on March 21, April 17, May 18 and June 15 are applicable only to foreign nationals who entered Taiwan on or before March 21, 2020, on a visitor visa, landing visa, or through a visa-waiver program, and who have not exceeded the duration of stay accorded by their visa or visa-waiver program.