Taiwan Plans to Tighten Citizenship Rules for Hong Kong and Macau Residents

Synopsis

Taipei is set to implement stricter citizenship regulations for residents from Hong Kong and Macau, eliminating leniency in permanent residency applications. This move is driven by concerns over Chinese policies and aims to bolster national security.

Key Takeaways

Taiwan is tightening citizenship laws for Hong Kong and Macau residents.
The residency requirement may increase from one year to four years.
Individuals associated with the CCP will face rigorous scrutiny.
The changes aim to enhance national security.
Less interest in Taiwanese citizenship noted among migrants.

Taipei, March 3 (NationPress) Residents of Hong Kong and Macau will no longer enjoy leniency in obtaining permanent residency in Taiwan, as the nation is contemplating stricter citizenship regulations in light of China's policies, according to local media reports.

The Taiwanese administration is considering eliminating the optional citizenship pathway for individuals from Hong Kong and Macau and may extend the residency duration required for eligibility for permanent residency, as reported by the nation's leading newspaper, Taipei Times, citing unnamed sources.

An official familiar with the situation, speaking on the condition of anonymity, informed the Taipei Times that the Taiwanese government might revise immigration laws for residents of these territories to prevent infiltration by the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) through immigration.

Under the proposed changes, individuals from Hong Kong and Macau would need to reside in Taiwan for four years before qualifying for permanent residency, an increase from the current one-year requirement, and they would be barred from applying for citizenship after achieving permanent residency.

Additionally, the amendments would impose strict scrutiny on residency applicants from Hong Kong and Macau who have affiliations with the CCP, the Chinese military, or Chinese public institutions, which could lead to application denials, according to the report.

This initiative is part of Taiwan's broader legislative reforms related to national security, as stated by the official.

Taiwan is considering this proposal in response to the evolving situation in Hong Kong, where over 2 million mainland Chinese have migrated since the 1997 handover.

Following the implementation of the National Security Law in 2020, which significantly transformed Hong Kong’s social and political landscape, Taiwan's previously lenient immigration policies for Hong Kong residents have become a notable national security vulnerability, according to local media.

The official noted, "Regardless of whether they arrived through marriage to a Taiwanese citizen, investment immigration, or professional skills, migrants from Hong Kong often seek permanent residency within their second year in Taiwan."

"We've observed that some individuals from Hong Kong and Macau are primarily interested in obtaining permanent residency rather than Taiwanese citizenship, so we do not foresee this change causing significant issues," the official concluded.