The foreign affairs division of the National Police Administration in Taipei has indicated that strict new enforcement policies regarding visa extensions for foreign passport holders have been put into place. As a result, renewal applications filed late could mean a cancelation of resident visas and a trip out of the country to begin the process all over again.
One officer said yesterday that the new guidelines, handed down from the interior ministry and valid as of Feb. 1, specify a `zero tolerance' policy for late applicants.
"If you don't renew on time, it means the applicant will have to leave Taiwan and come back to reapply," the officer said.
"We are under orders not to make any exceptions," he said.
The new policy appears to bring an end to the NPA's once-flexible guidelines for dealing with visa extensions for foreign passport holders, who in the past have often been given a grace period of several days or weeks. Cases of foreigners overstaying had also in the past been dealt with by fines.
Foreigners with resident or visitor visas should complete the necessary paperwork early in order to avoid unnecessary hassles.
Cancelation of a person's resident visa requires applicants to leave Taiwan, re-enter on a visitor's visa and then re-submit all necessary documents -- including letters verifying employment -- to the foreign ministry.
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