Although most government offices will be closed during the Lunar New Year holidays from today until Jan. 17, several functions provided by the Ministry of the Interior concerning social welfare and immigration services will remain available.
In order to serve foreign residents, the ministry said in a press release that local branches of the National Immigration Agency’s (NIA) specialized operation departments and the border affairs corps at the nation’s international airports would remain open throughout Lunar New Year holiday.
“Foreigners who have lost their passports during the holiday can report to the mentioned offices to obtain paperwork to apply for replacement passports or travel documents from the diplomatic offices of their countries of origin,” the statement said.
“With temporary travel documents or new passports, foreigners who have lost their passports may leave the country after receiving a permit from border affairs corps at international airports in the country,” it added.
In addition, foreign residents who need to renew their Alien Resident Certificates during the holidays can wait until the first working day after the holiday, Feb. 18, to do so, the statement said.
For additional information, including contact information for the NIA’s Specialized Operation Brigade, visit http://iff.immigration.gov.tw.
In addition to immigration services, the 113 domestic violence prevention hotlines will continue around-the-clock operations throughout the holiday, while the 1957 social welfare hotline for families in need will operate from 8am to 10pm daily. The hotline for men suffering abuse (0800-013-999) will also remain in operation daily from 9am to 11pm, the ministry’s statement said.
For inquiries regarding other services provided by the ministry, the 1996 service hotline will also be accessible from 8am to 10pm daily during Lunar New Year holiday, it said.
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