The Cabinet yesterday approved an amendment to the Immigration Act (入出國移民法) that relaxes entry regulations for foreigners to help address a growing brain drain and a declining birth rate.
“As we are expected to see zero population growth by 2011, the government faces the challenge of drawing up immigration policies to attract talented people to make up for that gap,” Premier Wu Den-yih (吳敦義) told the meeting.
The amendment recommended simplifying entry procedures.
Under the current system, foreigners planning to work in Taiwan are required to file an application with the Council of Labor Affairs for a work permit and apply for a visitor’s visa at one of the nation’s representative offices abroad before coming to Taiwan.
After entering the country, they are required to file an application with the National Immigration Agency for an alien resident certificate and permission for re-entry.
If the amendment is approved by the legislature, foreigners will be able to apply for a combined certificate at a single government office through a process that will require fewer days.
The amendment also suggested removing regulations stipulating that Republic of China (ROC) citizens born abroad and under the age of 20 must apply for resident permits or permanent resident permits to live in Taiwan.
Should the amendment pass the legislature, ROC citizens with household registration in Taiwan could apply for resident permits or permanent resident permits for children born in other countries without being subject to the regulation.
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