Taipei, Feb. 1 (CNA) A visa overstay forgiveness program has been introduced to help foreign nationals who have overstayed their visas in Taiwan to leave the country easily and quickly, the National Immigration Agency (NIA) said Wednesday.
In a statement, the NIA said the measure encourages foreign nationals who have overstayed their visa to report to NIA offices across the country from Feb.1 to June 30.
As long as such individuals pay a minimum fine of NT$2,000 (US$66) before taking an expedited flight out the country, they will be allowed to leave without being placed in a detention center, the statement said.
The NIA said the measure seeks to help overstaying foreign nationals, stuck in Taiwan since the COVID-19 pandemic started in early 2020, to leave Taiwan as soon as possible.
Currently, a set of draft amendments have been referred to the Legislature for ratification with the aim of discouraging foreigners from illegally overstaying in Taiwan in the future, the agency said.
Under the revised law, fines for overstaying foreign nationals will be increased from NT$2,000-NT$10,000 to NT$30,000-NT$150,000, with the ban on offenders returning to Taiwan extended from three years to 10.
