Minister pledges extensions of stay for Ukrainians in Taiwan

Taipei, March 1 (CNA) The government will allow Ukrainians who are in Taiwan to extend their stays in the country, Interior Minister Hsu Kuo-yung (徐國勇) pledged Tuesday, in response to a lawmaker's call to help Ukraine nationals after Russia invaded their country last week.

During a legislative session, Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) Legislator Chuang Jui-hsiung (莊瑞雄) urged the government to plan ahead to help Ukrainians in Taiwan, especially because Taiwan has not passed a refugee law.

Citing Ukrainian basketball player Ihor Zaytsev as an example, Chuang said Zaytsev may face visa problems when the basketball season ends around April, as the war in his country may prevent him from going home.

In response, Hsu said that as long as a Ukraine national applies to remain in Taiwan longer than allowed by their documented period of stay, his ministry, which supervises the National Immigration Agency, will grant them an extension, with no limit on how many extensions it can give.

"No problem" on this issue, Hsu pledged.

Also responding to Chuang's questions, Foreign Minister Joseph Wu (吳釗燮) said his ministry would work with the Ministry of the Interior to "do everything to help" Ukrainians living in Taiwan who wish to stay longer.