TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Taiwan's Legislative Yuan passed amendments to the Nationality Act on Tuesday (May 7), aiming to attract foreign talent by easing naturalization requirements and waiving fees for those who have made special contributions to the Republic of China (R.O.C., Taiwan), according to Minister of the Interior Lin Yu-chang.
The revised law reduces the residency requirement from five years with at least 183 days of legal residence each year to two years, or five years of legal residence in Taiwan, without the need for 183 days of residence each year.
The amendments also waive the NT$1,200 nationality permit fee for foreigners or stateless individuals who have made "special contributions" to healthcare, social welfare, education, or remote rural areas.
In line with Article 7 of the Convention on the Rights of the Child, the amendments also allow guardians of stateless minors under the care of social welfare organizations to apply for naturalization on their behalf.
Lin emphasized that the amendments to the Nationality Act will more fully implement the government's commitment to ensuring children's right to nationality and strengthen efforts to attract foreign professionals. He hoped the changes would draw more outstanding foreign talent to Taiwan.