Taiwan is overhauling its residency rules to tighten control on mainland Chinese nationals seeking to settle on the island, in an escalating push to counter what it perceives as Beijing’s growing infiltration and influence operations.
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The draft amendment covering family-based residency applications drew swift condemnation from Beijing, which accused the administration of Taiwanese leader William Lai Ching-te of stoking confrontation and suppressing cross-strait exchanges.
The regulatory revision – led by the interior ministry and tied directly to Lai’s 17-point national security strategy – introduces sweeping restrictions on mainland nationals applying to live or settle in Taiwan.
Lai cited escalating threats to the island from Beijing – including identity ambiguity, economic coercion, and military and societal infiltration through cross-strait exchanges – when he announced the strategy in March.
The policy marks one of the sharpest turns in cross-strait residency governance in decades and underscores Lai’s intent to eliminate dual-status ambiguities that he believes may pose security risks.
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The proposed amendment requires mainland nationals applying to live in Taiwan to provide notarised proof that they have relinquished their household registration in mainland China.
Applicants must also provide a certificate saying they have never held, no longer possess, or have officially renounced their Chinese passport. If they still hold one, it must be invalidated by cutting off a corner. A sworn affidavit will be acceptable in the absence of certified proof.