The government has relaxed travel restrictions to make it easier for Chinese nationals living in Hong Kong, Macau or a foreign country to visit Taiwan, National Immigration Agency (NIA) officials said yesterday.
Starting yesterday, Chinese nationals can come to Taiwan for sightseeing as long as they have lived in a foreign country or in Hong Kong and Macau for at least one year, the officials said.
Previous regulations required them to have lived overseas for at least four years.
Applicants must also have a job in the countries or areas where they reside, or be the spouse or lineal relative of a Chinese expatriate to qualify for a tourist permit to visit Taiwan.
Taiwan only began opening its door for tourist visits by Chinese expatriates or those living in Hong Kong or Macau in 2002. Individuals who meet the requirements can apply to visit Taiwan by providing employment certificates, proof of family relationship, identification cards, as well as travel plans and an itinerary.
The applications can be filed with Taiwan’s representative offices either by travel agents or the applicants themselves, an official said.
An increasing number of Chinese tourists have visited Taiwan since direct flights were launched last year.
Given the rising demand for urgent entry permits by Chinese nationals wishing to visit Taiwan, the NIA has set up a mechanism to streamline the processing of travel documents of Chinese tourists on a case-by-case basis to enhance efficiency, the official said.
For instance, travel agencies that provide a security deposit of NT$1 million (US$31,000) with the Travel Agent Association of the Republic of China Taiwan to arrange tours for Chinese expatriates will not be charged NT$100,000 in case a tour member goes missing. The official said there had been no reported case of Chinese expatriates overstaying or absconding since Taiwan allowed their visits in 2002.
However, a fine will still be imposed for every Chinese tourist from Hong Kong, Macau, or China who overstay their visa or go missing, the official said.
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