Authorities are set to step up efforts to deport foreigners overstaying their visas as the world enters the post-COVID era. That’s according to a press release from Taiwan’s immigration authorities on Wednesday.
Authorities say beginning in 2020 disruptions to international travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic increased the number of visa overstays in Taiwan. Most people overstaying their visas in Taiwan are undocumented immigrants. That refers to migrant workers who left their original employer, often due to abuse, but choose to remain in Taiwan and work illegally.
Immigration authorities say from today until the end of June they will enhance efforts to find overstays through a variety of measures. Those include temporary leniency for those who turn themselves in, for example by reducing their penalty to NT$2,000 (US$67).
The efforts come as lawmakers are set to review amendments to immigration law which would increase penalties for undocumented workers later this year.
Critics say Taiwan’s stringent migrant worker regulations are driving up the numbers of undocumented immigrants. Taiwanese law prevents foreign workers from changing employers within the country. This forces some abused workers to leave their workplace and continue working illegally, often to pay off debts incurred to come to Taiwan.