From February 1st to June 30th, 2023, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) of Ministry of the Interior (MOI) carries out the "Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program." In order to encourage the overstayers to step forward for help, during the program period, overstayers who voluntarily surrender to the NIA will receive reduced penalties, such as exemption from detention, paying minimum fine of only NT$2,000, and no entry-ban in the future. Deputy Minister of the MOI Mr. Wu Tang-An urges the overstayers to return home to rejoin their families at the earliest opportunity.
The COVID-19 pandemic swept the world in early 2020, and international flights were suspended or reduced, resulting a rising number of foreign population stranded in Taiwan. As the global pandemic is gradually fading away, and international flights gradually resume to normal operation, the MOI launched this program in order to help the overstayers to return home. Overstayers including foreign nationals, Mainland Chinese, and Resident of Hong Kong or Macao, who entered Taiwan in a lawful manner with any type of visa or entry permit, should report to the NIA as soon as possible.
The MOI emphasizes that the draft of harsher punishment based on the Immigration Act has been sent to the Legislative Yuan for approval. According to the amendments, the current fine ranging from NT$2,000 to NT$10,000 will raise to the amount ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$150,000, and the maximum entry-ban will increase from 3 years to10 years. The MOI appeals to the public to help those who have overstayed in Taiwan to seize the opportunity to turn themselves in before they have to face a heavier penalty in the future.
On the first day of the program, an Indonesian man and an Indonesian lady surrendered to the NIA together. They ran away from work before they met each other and then later became lovers. With the chance given by this program, they hoped to return to Indonesia to start a family. Anyone can contact the special brigades or service centers of the NIA to learn more details about the program, or call the toll-free hotline 0800-024-881.
Attendees to witness the launch ceremony of the program include Deputy Executive Director of the Thailand Trade and Economic Office Mr. Sunh Arunrugstichai, Supervisory Special Agent of the U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Mr. Brian E. Sherota, Director of Consular Section, Japan-Taiwan Exchange Association Taipei Office Mr. Tsujino Keiji, Assistant Representative of the Korean Mission in Taipei Mr. Jeon Gi-Seok, Assistant Head of Vietnam Economic and Cultural Office in Taipei Mr. Do Minh Hoai, Director of Immigration Department of the Indonesian Economic and Trade Representative Office in Taipei Mr. Jerry Risnandar, Director of Labor Affairs of Manila Economic and Cultural Office Mr. Cesar L. Chaves, Jr., Assistant Director of the Malaysian Friendship and Trade Center Mr. Thivagar Padavadah, and many other officials from various authorities. The ceremony was lively and warm with loving songs and tasty food.