Offshore Control Division
Adjusted Plan
I. Since the "Type B Home Quarantine Measures" came into force on April 28, a total of 26, 461 people were placed under home quarantine. Temperature checks at airports and harbors had found abnormal body temperature in 179 of these, and 11 of them were admitted to a hospital, where four were diagnosed as suspected SARS cases. This indicates that the implementation of quarantine measures has indeed been effective in discovering suspected SARS patients, and has helped to prevent import of the virus from aboard. On the other hand, since patients in the early stages of the disease do not display abnormal body temperature, temperature checks at airports and harbors cannot be 100% effective in preventing carriers of the virus from entering Taiwan and spreading the virus here (recently there was the case of a foreign laborer from Vietnam who developed SARS symptoms only after entering Taiwan). Therefore, in the interest of effectively preventing the import of the SARS virus and avoiding its local transmission, and to reach the policy goal of supporting domestic SARS prevention efforts, the Offshore Control Division submitted a draft to the Executive Yuan proposing to extend the period of "Type B Home Quarantine Measures" for another two weeks, starting May 26. The draft was adopted on June 23.
II. To prevent creating a strong negative impact on domestic economic activities and the operations of local industries, adequate adjustments were made to the current regulations on immigration control and quarantine. The scope of entry control will thus be relaxed to facilitate normal business operations. We will also be adopting a new set of "Flexible Quarantine Measures." What follows are the basic principles of these eased visa/entry regulations and flexible quarantine procedures:
A. Relax Restriction on Entry Purposes: Foreign passport holders are allowed to enter Taiwan from an "area with recent local transmission of SARS" (hereafter referred to as "SARS transmission area") for family visits, visiting a sick person, and attending a funeral. The same applies for Hong Kong residents. The Mainland people may apply for travel permits to enter Taiwan on business. After entering Taiwan, they will be subject to the same measures, that is, they are required to comply will the regulations of "Type B Home Quarantine Measures."
B. Flexible Implementation of "Type B Home Quarantine Measures": To facilitate the demand of business operations, more convenient and speedy quarantine measures are introduced and more flexible arrangements made for business-related activities by foreign passport holders, Hong Kong residents, and for the Mainland people employed by multinational corporations.
III. Adjustments in Detail:
A. Foreign Passport Holders: The temporary suspension of visa-exempt entries and landing visas for foreign passport holders remains valid, but those entering Taiwan on business and/or holding an employment permit issued by a competent authority, and those who are coming to Taiwan for a family visit, visiting a sick person, or attending a funeral, and have obtained a boarding permit (incl. a certificate stating that he/she is without SARS symptoms) from an ROC representative office abroad, may be issued a visitor or a resident visa.
1. Visa Regulations
a. Boarding Procedures for Foreign Passport Holders Entering Taiwan from a SARS transmission area:
i. Holders of Diplomatic Visas or Courtesy Visas: No boarding permit required.
ii. Holders of Permanent Resident Certificates, Alien Resident Certificates and Re-entry Permit: No boarding permit required.
iii. Holders of Multiple/Single Entry Visitor Visas or Resident Visas: Must apply for a boarding permit, to be used in combination with their valid visa.
iv. Travelers to Taiwan boarding a plane/ship in a SARS transmission area will not be granted visa-exempt entries or landing visas.
b. Application Procedures for Visitor/Resident Visas, Boarding Permits:
i. After processing, all applications must be respectively submitted to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) for examination and final approval. In so doing, the purpose is to lower the nation's anti-epidemic workload.
ii. Local companies/business partners/employers/relatives have to provide guarantees for their visitor. To do so, a guarantor must submit the following documents to the MOFA Bureau of Consular Affairs to finalize the guarantee procedures:
(1) A letter of guarantee that the visitor will undergo home quarantine after arrival (in which the guarantor confirms that he is responsible for the proper implementation of home quarantine measures with regard to his visitor).
(2) Notification of approval of the visitor's visa.
(3) A record showing that a room has already been booked at a CKS International Airport transit hotel (this only applies to foreign laborers already holding a resident visa).
c. Valid Reasons for Visa Application: For the time being, applications for visitor visas for tourist (sightseeing) purposes will not be processed. In addition to this restriction, all applications for valid reasons have still to be respectively reviewed by the MOFA:
i. Visitor Visa Application: Applicants for the purpose of conducting business deals, dependence on family members, visiting a sick person, attending a funeral, or other urgent matters, must supply a medical certificate stating that they are without SARS symptoms. The MOFA will review the application, and, if all is satisfactory, will issue a visitor visa, remaining valid for entry within a reasonable period of time, and allowing a stay of 60 days (extension possible), and a boarding permit.
ii. Resident Visa Application: Applicants must obtain an employment permit from the competent central government authority (for the time being, principally only white-collar applications will be processed; blue-collar application will only be considered in case of emergencies). The processed application will then be reviewed by the MOFA. If all is in order, and the applicant has provided a certificate to show that he/she has no SARS symptoms, a resident visa will be issued (valid for entry within three months, and allowing a stay for an unidentified period time), along with a boarding permit.
iii. Applicants already holding a multiple/single entry visitor visa or resident visa will be issued a boarding permit, if their application is based on any of the reasons listed above (II A/B), is approved by the MOFA, and is supported by a valid medical certificate stating that they are without SARS symptoms.
iv. To facilitate the monitoring and tracking of each individual case, boarding permits must be issued with a serial number, and with a stamp indicating date and number of MOFA approval.
2. Mode of Quarantine Implementation:
a. In case the quarantine subject has an employer, or is in Taiwan for a family visit, visiting a sick person or attending a funeral, the employer or the relatives shall be legally bound to guarantee the proper implementation of all required quarantine measures.
b. In case the quarantine subject has no employer or relative in Taiwan, but does have a business partner/client, that business partner/client shall guarantee and be responsible for the proper implementation of all quarantine measures.
c. Those without any guarantor in Taiwan shall be required to stay at an international airport hotel at their own expense. The Civil Aeronautics Administration will upgrade the business facilities at international airport hotels.
d. Those in Taiwan for a family visit, visiting a sick person, or attending a funeral, are still required to undergo a 10-day home quarantine.
B. Hong Kong Residents
1. The temporary suspension of landing visas will remain in place until June 28. Hong Kong residents entering Taiwan on business affairs, or coming to Taiwan for a family visit, visiting a sick person or attending a funeral, shall receive the same treatment as foreign passport holders entering on the same errands.
2. Issuance of Entry/Exit Permits
a. Taiwan Entry Permit: Those entering Taiwan to conduct business deals, or are coming for a family visit, visiting a sick person or attending a funeral, or other urgent matters, and have submitted a valid medical certificate showing them to be without SARS symptoms, shall be directly issued a Taiwan Entry/Exit Permit (valid for entry within a reasonable period of time) and a boarding permit.
b. Resident Visa (Study, Work, Residence): Applicants who have already obtained an employment permit from the competent central government authority need to supply a medical certificate stating that they are without SARS symptoms. Then they will be issued an entry permit, a copy of their residence visa and a boarding permit.
c. Holders of a multiple/single entry visitor or resident entry permit will be issued a boarding permit, if their application is based on any of the reasons listed above (B 1/2), and is supported by a valid medical certificate stating that they are without SARS symptoms.
d. The temporary suspension of landing visas (i.e. temporary visas for visits of up to 14 days) will remain in place until June 28.
e. Before issuing Taiwan entry permits or boarding permits, the Hong Kong Affairs Bureau is instructed to inform applicants that after arrival in Taiwan they will have to undergo home quarantine, or quarantine at a designated location at their own expense, for ten days. During their entire stay in Taiwan, they will also be required to wear a mask when going out, and they must avoid going out except for activities pertaining to the purpose for which their visa/permit was issued.
C. The Mainland People
1. Business/Professional Activities
a. Entering Taiwan from an overseas area "without recent local transmission of SARS" (overseas residents)
i. The Mainland people from such areas are allowed to enter Taiwan to conduct business activities. In accordance with the "Permit Guidelines Governing the Entry to Taiwan by the People of the Mainland Area Invited by A Multinational Corporation to Conduct Commercial Activities," promulgated on May 16, travel permits will be issued to all those meeting the relevant requirements. The inviting corporation will be responsible for regular temperature checks and for reporting any symptoms the visitor may develop.
ii. Adjustment is made for the people of the Mainland area coming to Taiwan to engage in professional exchanges. In accordance with the "Guidelines for Permitting Mainland Experts to Visit Taiwan and Engage in Professional Activities," such applications will be processed as special cases respectively based on their necessity and urgency. The inviting organization/enterprise will be responsible for regular temperature checks and for reporting any symptoms the visitor may develop.
b. Entering Taiwan from an overseas "area with recent local transmission of SARS," or from the Mainland area
i. The Mainland people coming to Taiwan to provide technical assistance, or to examine or purchase goods, or based on the necessity and urgency of their mission, may, with the approval of quarantine authorities, and in accordance with the "Guidelines for Permitting Mainland Experts to Visit Taiwan and Engage in Professional Activities," apply for a visa. If the above conditions are not met, visa issuance is in principle suspended or postponed.
ii. In accordance with the "Permit Guidelines Governing the Entry to Taiwan by the People of the Mainland Area Invited by A Multinational Corporation to Conduct Commercial Activities," travel permits will be issued to all those meeting the relevant requirements.
c. All the Mainland people entering Taiwan on business trips or to perform technical/professional services (as specified under 1 a/b), must submit a medical certificate stating that they are without SARS symptoms.
d. Mode of Quarantine Implementation
i. In case the quarantine subject is affiliated with an enterprise in Taiwan (parent company, subsidiary or branch), the responsible person of that enterprise shall be legally bound to guarantee the proper implementation of all required quarantine measures.
ii. In case the quarantine subject is not connected with any enterprise in Taiwan, but does have a business partner/client, that business partner/client shall guarantee and be responsible for the proper implementation of all quarantine measures.
2. Social Exchanges
a. Mainland spouses or children, and the people of the Mainland area entering Taiwan for family visits, visiting a sick person, attending a funeral, or otherwise based on special case and with the approval of quarantine authorities, are still subject to "Type B Home Quarantine Measures." In all such cases, the ROC spouse/relative handling the application is required to sign beforehand a "Home Quarantine Guarantee Letter" at the police station of the relevant precinct (i.e. the precinct with jurisdiction over the quarantine location), and then to submit this letter to the MOI Bureau of Immigration to file an entry application.
b. In cases where the visitor was already issued a travel permit (copy) before these new measures come into force, his/her ROC spouse/relative in Taiwan is still required to supplement a "Home Quarantine Guarantee Letter," before the original of the travel permit will be issued to allow the visitor's entry to Taiwan.
3. Sightseeing: Processing and issuance of visitor visas for sightseeing purposes remain temporarily suspended, i.e. applications will not be processed for the Mainland people traveling abroad as tourists or on business trips who wish to enter Taiwan for sightseeing (type 2 Mainland people), or who reside abroad (incl. the Mainland people studying abroad or having obtained permanent resident rights in a foreign country) (type 3 Mainland people).
D. Implementation of the "Guidelines for Entrants to Conduct Business Activities During the Period of Quarantine Measures"
1. In accordance with the "Guidelines for Entrants to Conduct Business Activities During the Period of Quarantine Measures," every employer/business partner/client in Taiwan (hereafter referred to as "a responsible person") is legally bound to guarantee the following items with regard to his business visitor:
a. In case the visitor comes to Taiwan for a long-term work assignment, the employer has to guarantee that the visitor will undergo a 10-day home quarantine.
i. Companies must inform their visitors that they are required to comply with the following quarantine regulations:
(1) While under quarantine, they may only leave the house for the following reasons, provided they wear a surgical mask:
(a) to seek medical treatment
(b) to take a walk or exercise (only in an open area)
(c) to buy prepared meals and newspapers, to dispose of garbage
(d) after having obtained permission from the local health authorities.
(2) If they go out after having obtained permission from the local health authorities, they have to keep a detailed record of their itinerary for future reference.
(3) While under quarantine, use of any form of public transportation vehicles is strictly prohibited.
(4) While under quarantine, they are barred from visiting hospitalized patients.
(5) While under quarantine, they are strictly prohibited from visiting crowded public places, such as banks, libraries, traditional markets, hypermarkets, department stores, gyms, movie theaters, restaurants, KTV parlors, Internet cafes, etc.
ii. Companies are required to submit the following information to the local health authorities as quickly as possible: a list with the names of visitors/employees, their arrival time in Taiwan, and their designated home quarantine location.
b. In case the visitor is in Taiwan for short-term business activities, the responsible person has to fill in a "Health Condition and Taiwan Itinerary Form," and to guarantee compliance with the following 9 items in accordance with the "Guidelines for Entrants to Conduct Business Activities During the Period of Quarantine Measures":
i. Companies are required to submit the following information to the local health authorities (Health Station) as quickly as possible: a list with the names of visitors/employees, their arrival time in Taiwan, and their designated accommodation.
ii. Business visitors must wear a surgical mask whenever going out.
iii. The responsible person must provide special means of transport to ensure that visitors do not use any form of public transportation vehicles.
iv. A temperature check must be performed on visitors twice a day (morning and evening), and the measurements should be recorded in detail for reference.
v. Every visitor's entire itinerary during his/her stay in Taiwan must be recorded in detail for reference.
vi. Every visitor is required to avoid going out, except for activities and errands pertaining to the purposes for which his/her visa or permit was issued. Visitors must avoid crowded public places such as banks, libraries, hypermarkets, department stores, gyms, movie theaters, KTV parlors, Internet cafes etc.
vii. If a visitor develops a fever, a cough, shortness of breath, diarrhea or other symptoms, he/she must immediately be admitted to a hospital, and the local health authorities should be notified.
viii. The responsible person must sign (the responsible person's chop and the company chop) in the Home Quarantine Notice's "Reported" column. The visitor has to present the stamped Home Quarantine Notice during customs clearance (exit) procedures before he will be allowed to leave the country.
ix. In case a visitor has to leave Taiwan again before the ten days of quarantine are up, the responsible person must record in the quarantine notice, and confirm with the chop, that the visitor has normal body temperature (meaning lower than 37.5 degrees Celsius). This will allow the visitor to clear exit customs.
2. Supervision and Random Checks
a. Responsible Governmental Agencies (Authority). The governmental agencies/authorities in charge of monitoring the implementation of the above measures shall conduct random checks to see whether or not the responsible persons are following procedures in accordance with the guarantee statement they have signed. The results of these checks are reported back to the Ministry of Economic Affair's (MOEA) Investment Commission, which will then forward them to the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC). The details of the division of labor for responsible governmental agencies are in the following:
i. For companies in science-based industrial parks, the Science-Based Industrial Park Administration shall be the competent authority.
ii. For companies in other industrial parks, the MOEA Industrial Development Bureau shall be the competent authority.
iii. For companies located in export processing zones, the MOEA Economic Processing Zone Administration shall be the competent authority.
iv. For all other companies not located in any kind of industrial park/export processing zone, the MOEA Investment Commission shall be the competent authority.
b. Supervision/Random Checks Procedures
i. Method: Mainly via telephone. In case of problems or doubts, on-the-spot examinations should be performed.
ii. Key Issues of Checks:
(1) In case of employees entering Taiwan for work, the responsible governmental agencies should check if the employer has already forwarded the relevant data about the employees' stay in Taiwan to the local health authority.
(2) In case of business trips to Taiwan, the responsible governmental agencies should check if and how the responsible person is enforcing the related regulations, and ask the company to fax back a chart stating the visitor's health situation and itinerary. Should a responsible person be found to report any relevant details untruthfully, the responsible governmental agencies can call in investigation units/prosecutors to examine the case in accordance with the law.
iii. Random Check Ratio: Generally, 1:10.
iv. Daily Report Form.
v. To facilitate speedy and efficient management procedures and follow-up checks, the competent authorities/park administrations should provide a list of service windows.
3. Procedural Details
a. The visitor's guarantor (i.e. local responsible person, business partner, etc.) has to submit a letter of guarantee to the MOFA Bureau of Consular Affairs (foreign passport holder) or the Bureau of Immigration under the National Police Administration, MOI (Hong Kong residents and the Mainland people).
b. The MOFA Bureau of Consular Affairs (for foreigners) and the Bureau of Immigration (for Hong Kong residents/the Mainland people) shall review every application, inform the company whether or not it has been approved, and then record all files in a list which will be forwarded to the relevant ROC representative offices abroad and the Chung Hwa Travel Service.
c. ROC representative offices abroad and the Chung Hwa Travel Service shall record every boarding permit they issue in special lists, and fax these lists twice a day (12:00 noon and 5:00 p.m.) to the Aviation Police Bureau for inspection by immigration officers. The fax numbers are: 03-3983736 at the CKS International Airport, Taoyuan, and 07-8065213 at the Kaohsiung International Airport. Only in cases of special urgency, ROC representative offices/the Chung Hwa Travel Service are required to fax relevant data immediately.
d. After thorough inspection of all required documents upon the visitor's entry, the Aviation Police Bureau shall record the relevant data of all newly arrived business visitors in special lists, and forward these lists to the MOEA Investment Commission for further processing. Copies of the lists shall also be to the Center for Disease Control's Taipei and Kaohsiung branches, who will then relay them to the local health authorities.
e. Upon receiving the Aviation Police Bureau's lists, the MOEA Investment Commission shall distribute them via fax or e-mail to the related departments for double-checking and confirmation.
f. The responsible governmental agencies shall then perform random checks at the prescribed 1:10 ratio, and via e-mail report back the results to the MOEA Investment Commission for compilation and classification, after which they shall be submitted to the Mainland Affairs Council.
g. The responsible person shall keep on file all records and documents, such as the approval issued by the MOFA Bureau of Consular Affairs or the Bureau of Immigration, and all other relevant documentation relating to the visitor, for future reference.
h. For further information call: Investment Commission, Ministry of Economic Affairs (02) 33435724