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Third 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)

  • 發布日期:2020-05-18
  • 發布單位:Bureau Of Consular Affairs
  • 資料點閱次數:27694

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, and the second on April 17.

Although there are signs that the pandemic is abating, most global travel restrictions have yet to be lifted. 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 third automatic 30-day extension (The duration of stay has thus been extended to 90 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.

In addition, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) has announced the Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program. Foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas and turn themselves in from March 20 to June 30 are entitled to penalty relief measures: They will not be detained or receive an entry ban, and will be given only a minimum fine. For further information, please visit the NIA website at https://www.immigration.gov.tw/ .


 

【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 and May 18?

 

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 90 days in total). The day after the entry date is counted as the first day of stay.

 

Example
A US national entering Taiwan on February 7 under the visa-waiver program was granted a 90-day stay until May 7. Based on the first and the second 30-day extension announced by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 21 and April 17, this US national’s duration of stay was automatically extended to July 6. According to MOFA’s announcement of the third 30-day extension on May 18, the duration of stay has been further extended to August 5. The total duration of stay for this US national under the visa-waiver program has thus been extended from 90 to 180 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.

 

※ 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 two times automatic extension scheme is only allowed to have another 10 days stay duration.
 


 
Q3:
Does the 30-day automatic extension of duration of stay announced on May 18 apply to foreign nationals who entered Taiwan after March 21?

 

A:
No. The automatic extensions announced by MOFA on March 21, April 17 and May 18 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.