萬國法律事務所

　　The Ministry of the Interior (MOI)’s National Immigration Agency began operating formally on Jan. 2, 2007. The new agency centralizes authority, helps resolve the increasingly complex entry, exit, and immigration issues, and enhances administrative efficiency.

　　Pursuant to the Organic Law of the National Immigration Agency, the Agency is responsible for the formulation and execution of national entry and exit policy; formulation, coordination, and execution of immigration policy; examination of matters regarding the entry of residents of mainland China, Hong Kong, and Macao, and ROC citizens that have no registered domicile in Taiwan; examination, authentication, investigation, and disposition of documents upon entry and exit; examination and granting of permission for stay and residence in Taiwan; matters regarding the examination of rules, acceptance, compulsory expulsion, and repatriation of illegal entrants and immigrants; promotion of cooperation and liaison with other countries regarding entry, exit, and immigration matters; coordination and execution regarding immigrant assistance; management of identification, asylum, and settlement of refugees; collection of data regarding entry/exit security and immigrants, and investigation of incidents; integrated planning and management of matters regarding information on entry, exit, and immigration operations; human rights protection of immigrants; and planning and implementation of other matters regarding entry/exit and immigration operations.

　　The Ministry of the Interior noted that the new National Immigration Agency is centered at the Immigration Office of the National Police Agency of the MOI and will integrate the immigration-related operations and personnel quotas of the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission (overseas Chinese documentation services), MOI Department of Population (immigrant matters), Aviation Police Bureau and harbor police bureaus (documentary examination), and National Police Administration and local governments (administration of aliens). The agency will have a total personnel allotment of 2,012 persons.