Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) announced the start of a three-month amnesty programme from 1 April until 30 June 2020. This programme is for foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas, allowing them to pay smaller fines and avoid detention should they report to immigration authorities during the grace period. The maximum penalty will be 2,000 NT$ (approximately 66 USD) and no re-entry ban, compared with detention, a maximum fine of 10,000 NT$, and an entry ban of one to eight years for those who do not voluntarily report to immigration authorities. The NIA’s Deputy Director-General urged all persons to use the programme, warning that heavier penalties will be imposed following the “grace period” and that a nationwide crackdown would be initiated once the pandemic subsides. (NB: Taiwanese authorities introduced a similar amnesty programme between January 1 and July 31 2019, warning of similar crackdowns in its aftermath.)
In Taiwan, prisoners are volunteering to make masks. They are paid a small salary and produce around 1000 masks per day.
- Focus Taiwan, “Taiwan Starts Amnesty Program for Overstaying Foreign Nationals,” 30 March 2020, https://tinyurl.com/sre6zp8
- National Immigration Agency, “Expanded Overstayers Voluntary Departure Program,” 20 March 2020, www.immigration.gov.tw/5475/5478/6928/146024/
- Taipei Times, “NIA Defends Visa Amnesty Program,” 26 February 2019, www.taipeitimes.com/News/taiwan/archives/2019/02/26/2003710442
- S. Chang & A. Wang, “Coronavirus: Taiwan Prisoners Tackle Outbreak by Sewing Masks,” Hong Kong Free Press, 11 March 2020, www.hongkongfp.com/2020/03/11/coronavirus-taiwan-prisoners-tackle-outbreak-sewing-masks/
