TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA, 移民署) sought Thursday (April 10) to calm fears among Chinese residents amid a controversial new documentation requirement that has sent ripples through immigrant communities. The agency has mandated that Chinese spouses provide notarized proof they've relinquished their original nationality within three months or risk losing their household registration status, a critical legal designation that affects access to healthcare, voting rights, and social benefits.
Officials defended the measure as necessary to prevent individuals from maintaining dual household registrations in both Taiwan and China, which creates administrative and security complications. The NIA has created a comprehensive support system including an online Q&A section, a dedicated service email (NIA2025@immigration.gov.tw), and a special phone line (02-2388-9393, extensions 5042 to 5048 and 5660) for those encountering significant obstacles in securing the required documentation from Chinese authorities.
The agency reaffirmed its commitment to protecting the rights of Chinese immigrants who have integrated into Taiwanese society and demonstrated respect for the Republic of China (ROC, 中華民國), Taiwan's official name. Officials encouraged affected individuals to utilize the provided contact channels or visit local service centers to discuss their specific circumstances. The NIA promised coordination with key cross-strait institutions, including the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 陸委會), Taiwan's primary China policy body, and the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF, 海基會), which handles negotiations with Beijing in the absence of official diplomatic ties.
