TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's National Immigration Agency (NIA, 移民署), the government body overseeing immigration affairs, unveiled plans on Monday (May 26) to host a series of informational meetings across four counties in June. These sessions will guide approximately 12,000 Chinese spouses through the complex process of submitting documentation proving they have relinquished their original citizenship, a requirement they must fulfill before the month's end.
The initiative represents a coordinated effort between the NIA and two key cross-strait organizations: the Mainland Affairs Council (MAC, 大陸委員會), Taiwan's principal agency handling relations with China, and the Straits Exchange Foundation (SEF, 海基會), a semi-official organization managing practical matters with China in the absence of formal diplomatic ties. Officials will provide comprehensive one-stop services at multiple locations, including Taichung in central Taiwan. The schedule includes sessions in southern Taiwan's Kaohsiung and central Taiwan's Taichung in early June, followed by eastern Taiwan's Taitung and Hualien in late June.
The immigration authorities conducted a preliminary information session last Thursday at Chinese Culture University (中國文化大學), a prominent higher education institution in Taipei, which attracted dozens of Chinese spouses accompanied by family members. Participants expressed appreciation for the streamlined one-stop service model, particularly highlighting the convenience of online verification systems that allow applicants to check the status of their nationality renunciation documentation electronically.
Immigration officials have issued an urgent appeal to all notified individuals to finalize their documentation submissions without delay or, if necessary, to pursue alternative options through a formal declaration process. The NIA emphasized that government resources are available to help navigate procedural challenges and encouraged affected residents to utilize these support services. With the critical June 30 deadline looming, authorities strongly recommend that Chinese spouses regularly monitor the agency's official website for up-to-date information regarding session locations, scheduling changes, and documentation requirements. ◼
