萬國法律事務所

A measure proposed by Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior was approved on 29 November 2004 by Taiwan’s Mainland Affairs Council that results in the broadening of the scope of individuals who are permitted to act as guarantors for entry into Taiwan of Chinese spouses of foreign professionals working in Taiwan. If approved by the Executive Yuan, either the responsible persons of companies that hire foreign professionals, or the superiors of such foreign professionals (including responsible persons and superiors who are themselves foreign-nationals), will be authorized to guarantee Chinese spouses.

The relaxation is sought in order to relieve the difficulties faced by many foreign professionals. Under Article 17 of the Rules for Entry into Taiwan by Persons from China, foreign professionals working in Taiwan must have a Taiwan national guarantee their Chinese spouses in order for the spouses to be eligible to enter Taiwan. As the professionals are foreign nationals, it is frequently difficult to find a Taiwan national to assist in this regard.

The current relaxation follows an earlier measure promulgated on 1 March 2004 by Taiwan’s Ministry of the Interior, which provided that Chinese spouses of foreign professionals working in Taiwan may enter and reside in Taiwan for the same duration of times as their foreign professional spouses are permitted entry to Taiwan for the purpose of employment in Taiwan.