After meeting with immigrant groups, the Ministry of the Interior announced yesterday changes to financial regulations for immigrant spouses seeking naturalization.
“The ministry will make changes in the regulations so that such regulations can better meet the needs of immigrant spouses,” the ministry said in a statement.
The Nationality Act (國籍法) stipulates that immigrants seeking naturalization must provide proof that they possess “properties or skills that may help them lead an independent and decent life” in Taiwan.
Immigrants were required to submit proof that they possess NT$420,000 (US$13,000).
The requirement can also be fulfilled with property with a value equal to that amount or proof of annual income of that amount.
Immigrant groups have opposed the rule, saying it set the bar too high for immigrant spouses from poor families.
“As many immigrant spouses are unable to earn wages because of their heavy household work, the required annual household income will be changed from two times the minimum wage to 1.1 times the minimum wage,” the statement said.
In addition, real estate owned by the family of immigrant spouses, deemed to be worth NT$420,000 in the past, will now be valued at NT$800,000, the statement said.
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