Easing the Path: Taiwan's MAC Offers Affidavit Option for Some Chinese Spouses

New rules provide flexibility for Chinese spouses and children regarding residency requirements in Taiwan.

Taipei, Taiwan – The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) of Taiwan has announced modifications to the requirements for Chinese spouses and their children seeking residency, introducing an affidavit option in place of the standard proof of renouncing Chinese household registration. This change aims to ease the process for individuals facing specific challenges.

According to MAC deputy head and spokesperson Liang Wen-chieh (梁文傑), the alternative will be granted to individuals facing "objective inability or significant difficulties" in providing the required documentation. This approach upholds the principle of "administering according to law," as stated by Liang.

The new policy allows for affidavits in lieu of documentation for several groups. These include individuals who may face personal safety risks when traveling to China, such as those persecuted for political or religious reasons. It also extends to those with serious health conditions, including severe illness or limited mobility. Furthermore, individuals who have not traveled to China since January 1, 2015, are also eligible, with the caveat that any future travel to China may still require the standard documentation.

Another group eligible for the affidavit option includes those who returned to Taiwan shortly after being born in China and claim they never held household registration there, pending verification by Taiwanese authorities. Liang noted that this category often involves children of Taiwanese businesspeople in China.

The announcement comes amid recent controversy surrounding notices issued by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) to some Chinese spouses and their children. The notices required them to submit proof of renouncing their Chinese household registration within three months, as stipulated by Article 9-1 of the Act Governing Relations between the People of the Taiwan Area and the Mainland Area.

NIA Deputy Director-General Chen Chieh-cheng (陳建成) stated that the majority of the approximately 140,000 Chinese spouses with "settlement residency" in Taiwan have already complied with the requirement. However, around 12,000 have yet to do so and have received notification. Failure to provide the required proof can result in the revocation of "settlement residency" and potentially the loss of Taiwanese citizenship for those who already hold it.

The announcement follows a news conference by Kuomintang (KMT) legislators who urged authorities to reconsider the measures. Lawmaker Weng Hsiao-ling (翁曉玲) cited widespread public discontent, urging the government to consider the difficulties faced by families with Chinese spouses.

Nadia Liu (劉千萍), chairperson of the Taiwan Immigration Youth Alliance, highlighted concerns about the policy's implementation and its impact on immigrants, pointing out the uncertainty it creates.