A thicket of restrictions obstructing the entry of PRC nationals into Taiwan has for a long time now caused headaches for Taiwan-based enterprises. On August 20, Mainland Affairs Council (MAC) Chairwoman Tsai Ing-wen invited the directors of the local American, European and Japanese chambers of commerce to engage in a tete-a-tete for the purpose of clarifying the requirements of multinational companies in this respect. Also taking part in the discussion were representatives from several multinational companies, demonstrating their high level of concern on the issue.
According to MAC-announced liberalized rules for cross-border movements of multinational company employees, PRC nationals are now entitled to apply for three-year visas to work at their company's Taiwan branches in the capacities of top executive, senior manager or specialist. Upon expiry, such visas may be extended a year at a time for an indefinite number of years. Visa recipients, moreover, may be accompanied by their spouses and children under the age of 18.
For employees of international companies coming to Taiwan to attend training programs, the maximum stay of four months stipulated by current regulations is in many cases insufficient. In view of this, the MAC, in coordination with the Bureau of Immigration and other relevant agencies, is taking steps to assure greater flexibility, at first on a case-by-case basis. Additionally, the MAC is in the process of easing rules for the entry of PRC-national business visitors invited to Taiwan by multinational companies.
A major impetus for this policy change is that, following Taiwan's accession to the WTO, in accordance with the WTO General Agreement on Trade in Services and in keeping with the spirit of free competition in the global market, Taiwan is obliged to facilitate the cross-border movement of company personnel.
A further motivation lies in the eagerness of concerned Taiwan authorities in recent years to emulate the examples of Singapore and Hong Kong, with the aim of establishing Taiwan as an "open platform" promoting free cross-border flow of goods, people, capital and information, in the belief that such freedom will enhance Taiwan's attractiveness as a site for the headquarters of multinational corporations. In consideration of the PRC's ballooning economy, such a development can also serve to bring mainland China within the scope of Taiwan-centered economic activity and thereby augmenting Taiwan's economic clout.
Meanwhile, the establishment of a "free-trade harbor zone" in Kaohsiung City represents yet another step toward integration of Taiwan with the global economy. Amidst heightened expectations for positive action on recommendations of the Economic Development Advisory Conference, whose first anniversary has just recently passed, the easing of restrictions on movements of PRC-national employees of multinational enterprises is a measure whose time has indeed now arrived!
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