December 9, 2013
No. 088
The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) stated today (December 9, 2013) that the Ministry of Education (MOE) recently amended the Regulations for Hong Kong and Macao Residents Studying in Taiwan to create a friendly environment for students from these areas, and also to simplify their entry and exit procedures. The amendments removed provisions requiring Hong Kong and Macao students to present a letter of consent from their enrolled schools to the National Immigration Agency (NIA) field offices under the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) for successive entry and exit permit applications. In conjunction with legal amendments by the MOE, the NIA also revised the Rules Governing Permits for People from Hong Kong and Macau Setting Up Residence or Permanent Residence in Taiwan to allow application for Long-Term Resident Certificate and Entry/Exit Permit for the Taiwan Area by Hong Kong and Macao students. The MAC stated that related legal amendments streamline entry and exit procedures for students from Hong Kong and Macao, and will attract more such students to study in Taiwan.
The recent MOE revisions to the Regulations for Hong Kong and Macao Residents Studying in Taiwan cover many areas, among which include amendments concerning simplification of entry/exit procedures for Hong Kong and Macao students studying in Taiwan. During the period before the regulations were amended, an emergency mechanism was established to ensure prompt and smooth exit of Hong Kong and Macao students in cases of emergency. Whereas the revised law deleted the provision stipulating that "entry or exit applications by Hong Kong and Macao students during their period of study shall be transferred by their enrolled schools to the local National Immigration Agency field office under the Ministry of the Interior" to facilitate entry and exit of Hong Kong and Macao students.
In conjunction with the stated MOE amendments, the NIA also revised the Rules Governing Permits for People from Hong Kong and Macau Setting Up Residence or Permanent Residence in Taiwan. The amendments enable newly enrolled students from Hong Kong and Macao to apply for a three-year Long-Term Resident Certificate and Entry/Exit Permit for the Taiwan Area. Permit holders may enter and exit Taiwan freely during the valid period, and may apply for extension of validity period before the expiry date.
The MAC stated that the above-mentioned two amended laws will not only facilitate exit and entry by Hong Kong and Macao students but, in conjunction with review and amendment of related policies and supporting measures, will also help to attract more Hong Kong and Macao students to study in Taiwan.