Following a revision of the Operational Regulations Governing Speedy Immigration Inspection and Clearance of Foreign Businesspeople Immigration procedures at Taiwan’s international airports that took effect on March 15, immigration became speedier for foreign businesspeople. Express immigration is now available for four categories of foreign business people: (i) investors of NT$50 million or more in Taiwan; (ii) executives or managers sent to Taiwan of foreign-invested businesses or multinationals in Taiwan; (iii) executives or managers of local businesses; and (iv) contributors to Taiwan’s economy. Those that qualify must be recommended by the local chamber of commerce to which they belong and examined by the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MOEA). Qualified individuals who are not recommended by a chamber of commerce, however, can apply directly to the MOEA. Following approval, businesspeople are listed on the National Immigration Agency’s website (at
www.immigration.gov.com) and have access to express immigration counters at international airports. As an added benefit, they may also take accompanying spouses and lineal descendants with them when clearing immigration through the express counters.
In terms of the process, the MOEA transmits the list of approved foreign businesspeople to the National Immigration Agency over the Internet, and the agency then sends the list to immigration offices at international airports. Approved businesspeople are able to download their data from the Internet so that they can present it with their passports when clearing immigration. The approval period is for one year only; and in order to receive the express treatment again, the businessperson must be recommended or apply again to the MOEA. It should also be noted that the approval may be revoked for persons who violate local laws or become ineligible for other reasons.
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