Taipei: A new rule took effect Wednesday that cuts by half fines for overstaying foreign nationals or Republic of China (ROC, Taiwan) nationals without household registration who turn themselves in before being apprehended, the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) announced. The amendment to the Regulations Governing the Recognition and Reduction Standards of Special Reasons in Article 74-1 of the Immigration Act encourages overstayers to not "live in hiding," but turn themselves in and "return home sooner," the ministry said in a news release.
According to Focus Taiwan, individuals who wish to take advantage of this new rule must prepare their travel documents and depart before a set deadline, failing which the full fine will be imposed. Meanwhile, national security authorities are set to intensify investigations with the aim of enhancing border management efficiency by combining enforcement measures with leniency.
The MOI emphasized that managing the foreign national population in Taiwan requires adapting to current trends by balancing human rights protection and safety, while also considering population mobility trends. This initiative reflects a responsive approach to contemporary challenges in immigration and border control.