The NIA posted this announcement, along with the fifth visa extension. I entered on a visa-free tourist entry (US citizen) on Feb 15, so my 180 days will be up in mid-August.
Originally, they said that the total period of stay could not exceed 180 days, but the new announcement that I linked above makes it sound like I would be able to stay for more than 180 days. Does this new announcement apply to tourists, i.e., will I qualify for the fourth and fifth visa extensions?
“For foreigners who have legally stayed over 180 days.”
You, as a visa-exempt visitor, have not (and can not) legally stay over 180 days, so this does not apply to you.
This is more for people with long(er)-term visas that expire soon. One example might be a teacher who did not get their contract renewed, so their residency visa will expire.
Im from usa and came here 1/28 visa exempt and paid to get a $5800 visitor visa before my 90 days Was up.
Now im on a 30 day extension after my 180.
Not sure thats why nia can help answer questions and hopefully help you
I had the same initial reaction as the OP, mostly out of excitement, but when I read the BOCA version of the announcement then went back to read the MOFA announcement with that context, it was clear that, as aforementioned, this only really applies to people who can legally stay more than 180 days already, which a standard visa exempt entry is not allowed, because even with all those automatic extensions, The limit is still 180.
However, they do give special extensions on a case by case basis, which technically means that you are legally allowed to stay more than 180 days.
To the OP, if you go into immigration, they will probably tell you that it doesn’t apply to your situation, but a prudent question to ask would be if you could get the special extension, and then if this would apply to that circumstance, so basically the special extension you would get would be 60 days instead of 30.
One rule that changed is they allow folks to stay past 180 .
Yes i know the (student) visa requires folks to leave i think that should be changed
I dont know if there is a list of nia and boca changes due to china sickness but there should be one
Thank you for the information and suggestion! I may roll up and ask for a special extension next week, since I’m waiting for my gold card application to process. It’s getting down to the wire, and I’m getting a bit nervous, especially since airlines seem to be randomly cancelling flights (looking at you, China Airlines…).
According to several people on facebook who today contacted immigration, this extension apparently applies to everyone in spite of the announcement saying it is only for foreigners who have legally stayed over 180 days. And it is so many that it seems unlikely to be fake news. But the wording of the announcement itself certainly does not seem to fit with this.
Thank you very much. That is great. Could you also please kindly share the link of the page from which your screenshot is taken? I thought this is Twitter, but I cannot find it in Twitter. Thanks!