The National Immigration Agency (NIA) has warned that Chinese students might attempt to enter Taiwan on tourist visas from a separate country or location, such as Malaysia.
The Malaysian government in December last year instituted a visa waiver for Chinese citizens. Since then, many Chinese students have falsified their proof of study documents or engaged agencies to help them enter Taiwan, unaware that the documents were doctored, a person affiliated with a Malaysia-based human resource group and familiar with the Taiwanese visa application processes said.
The source, commenting on the condition of anonymity, cited a post on Xiaohongshu (小紅書, “Little Red Book”) titled, “The dates of my proof of study were photoshopped,” as evidence that the trend is being discussed among Chinese students.
Photo: CNA
They also said that replies to the post showed that some students were willing to try the method.
NIA officials in Malaysia confirmed that there have been multiple instances of Chinese students attempting to obtain tourist visas with falsified data since the resumption of allowing Chinese students studying or living in countries other than Taiwan or China to apply for tourist visas to Taiwan on Sept. 1 last year.
The officials said that such applications undergo rigorous inspection, and applicants must provide proof of study, customs entry and exit records, proof of registration fees or an employment verification document, the official said.
Suspicious cases would be subject to a face-to-face interview and must back up their claims that they are studying, working or residing in the country or territory they specified, the official said.
The officials urged Chinese not to risk attempting to enter Taiwan with falsified documents, as providing such documents or making false statements would result in them being banned from entry and annul their previously approved permits under the Regulations Governing the Approval of People of the Mainland Area Visiting Taiwan for Purposes of Tourism (大陸地區人民來台從事觀光活動許可辦法).
The individuals would be prohibited from applying for entry into Taiwan for five years, they added.
People traveling to Taiwan through proper channels should plan in advance, as a high volume of applications are received during the holiday season, they said.
Permits are only valid for three months, and the office would not expedite the processes, even if tourists have already purchased plane tickets, they added.
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