TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Legislative Yuan's Internal Administration Committee approved amendments to the Nationality Act on Wednesday (April 24) that lessen the residence requirements for highly trained foreign professionals who wish to become citizens.
Foreign professionals can apply for citizenship after two consecutive years of residency or lawfully staying in Taiwan for more than five years, according to the modifications, evaluated by Deputy Minister Wu Jung-hui, Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang, and others.
The revised article also allows stateless minors to apply for naturalization with the assistance of their guardians or welfare institutions, granting them access to social welfare services, medical care, and educational rights.
The Executive Yuan stated in the proposal that the amendments aim to attract outstanding foreign talents to Taiwan and increase incentives for naturalization, without requiring them to renounce their original nationality.
When Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Lo Mei-ling asked if sports talents were included in the category of highly skilled professionals, Chen Tzu-ho, acting director of the Department of Household Registration, confirmed that they were.
Committee convener and DPP legislator Wu Chi-ming said the amendments to the Nationality Act have been reviewed and will be submitted to the Yuan meeting for discussion without the need for party caucus negotiations.
