400th foreign high-level expert naturalized as ROC citizen since 2016

Taipei, Sept. 12 (CNA) A total of 400 foreign "high-level" professionals have been naturalized as Republic of China (Taiwan) citizens over the past decade as the government has eased nationality rules to attract talent from a wider range of fields, the Ministry of the Interior said Saturday.

The 400th high-level professional, who works in the electronics industry, was approved for ROC citizenship on Aug. 26, the MOI said.

The MOI quoted the newly naturalized citizen as saying that Taiwan is a leader in fields such as semiconductors, electronics manufacturing, artificial intelligence development and energy technology.

He also said Taiwan has built a comprehensive high-tech ecosystem that allows top professionals like him to develop their careers, while the country's high quality of life also attracted him to become a member of Taiwanese society.

The MOI did not disclose the new ROC citizen's original nationality.

According to the MOI, high-level professionals are experts in various fields, including technology, economics, education and academic research, culture and the arts, and sports, whose naturalization is expected to "serve the interests of the ROC."

Over the past 10 years, 170 of the high-level professionals naturalized as ROC citizens were from other Asian countries, 128 from the Americas, 76 from Europe, 13 from Oceania and 13 from Africa, the MOI said.

Among the 400 high-level professionals, 149 came from the fields of education and academic research, making it the largest group, followed by 85 in economics, 61 in technology, and 50 in culture and the arts, the MOI said.

The data showed that the naturalized professionals came from a wide range of backgrounds and areas of expertise, the ministry said.

The latest high-level professional to become an ROC citizen is the 400th to benefit from Taiwan's efforts to ease restrictions under the Nationality Act.

In December 2016, the act was amended to allow high-level foreign professionals to retain their original nationalities after obtaining ROC citizenship.

In May 2024, the act was again amended to reduce the residency requirement for high-level professionals applying for naturalization from five years to two.

The MOI said Taiwan has various channels through which foreign talent can apply for naturalization. High-level professionals who already hold a Plum Blossom Card, for example, can apply for ROC citizenship after a review and do not need to renounce their original citizenship after naturalization.

As many countries compete for talent, Taiwan is determined to create a friendly legal and living environment to attract more outstanding foreign professionals to develop their careers and settle in the country, the MOI said.