Ukrainian nationals can apply for a special visa to travel to Taiwan if they have relatives in the country who are either Taiwan nationals or alien residency holding Ukrainian nationals, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement Friday.

Considering the situation facing Ukraine amid Russia’s invasion, the ministry said that as of Friday, other than those Ukrainians who are already eligible to apply for a visa to Taiwan for studying, business, or other purposes, Ukrainian nationals can now also do so if they have relatives in Taiwan.

The relatives, the ministry pointed out, have to be Taiwan nationals, or Ukrainian nationals who hold an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) in Taiwan.

The eligible individuals under the newly announced special visa scheme must be Ukrainian passport holders and be able to present documents proving they have relatives in Taiwan, according to the ministry.

The application for the visitation visa, which usually allows a stay of 30 days to six months, can be made at Taiwan’s embassies or representative offices aboard, or online through the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ website, the ministry said.

According to the United Nations’ refugee agency, UNHCR, more than 2.5 million Ukrainians have fled the country since Feb. 24, when Russia began its invasion, after staging military exercises near the border in January.

Source: Focus Taiwan News Channel