Taiwan Passport Application And Photo

If you want to apply for a Taiwan passport, you'll need to familiarize yourself with the specific guidelines and processes that ensure your documents meet official standards.

Read this guide to find out everything you need to know about how to apply, how much it costs, what the latest updates are, and where to get a compliant passport photo for Taiwan.

Table of contents

• Types of Taiwan passports
• Eligibility criteria for Taiwan passport
• How to get a Taiwan passport: step-by-step application process
• Taiwan passport photo requirements
• Taiwan Passport Photo App
• Taiwan passport fees
• How long does it take to get Taiwan passport
• Taiwan passport expiry rules
• Recent news and updates concerning Taiwan passport

Types of Taiwan passports

Taiwan issues three primary categories of passports: diplomatic, official, and ordinary. Each passport type is designated for specific uses and is available under certain criteria:

• Diplomatic passport: This passport is provided to top officials including the President, Vice President, and members of diplomatic and consular staff, along with their families. It may also be issued to individuals on diplomatic missions and to diplomatic couriers.
• Official passport: This is meant for government officials who are traveling for work-related purposes. It is not as commonly distributed as the ordinary passport.
• Ordinary passport: This is the standard passport available to all citizens of Taiwan. Any person who meets the nationality criteria can apply for it, making it the most prevalent passport type.
• There are also special passport categories, such as the Overseas National passport. This passport is for overseas Taiwanese and overseas Chinese who may not have resided in Taiwan but are recognized as nationals. It serves as proof of their nationality.

The Taiwan passport follows a specific Taiwan passport name format, which includes both traditional Chinese characters and their romanized versions of the holder's name, with a limit of 39 characters.

The Taiwan passport number format is as follows: it has nine characters: an initial letter (A-Z) followed by eight digits. For biometric passports, the initial character is usually “3,” whereas non-biometric passports adhere to the nine-character format without a designated lead letter.

Eligibility criteria for Taiwan passport

Eligibility to obtain a Taiwan passport depends on one's status, particularly whether they have household registration or are nationals without household registration:

Nationals with Household Registration
The applicant must provide a National Identification Card for identity verification, an application form, and two recent passport-sized photos. New applicants must submit their documents in person at specified Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) offices.

Nationals without Household Registration (NWOHR)
Applicants must demonstrate nationality through ancestry or other acceptable documentation. The applicant must provide a Certificate of Nationality to prove Republic of China (Taiwan) nationality and two passport-sized photos. Applications are usually made at Taiwanese embassies, consulates, or Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Offices in the applicant's country of residence.

How to get a Taiwan passport: step-by-step application process

The process for getting a Taiwan passport varies depending on whether you have household registration in Taiwan or are a national without household registration (NWOHR). Here is a detailed guide for each situation.

Nationals with Household Registration:

1. Gather necessary documents:
   • Application form
   • National ID Card
   • Two recent passport-sized photos
2. Decide on application method:
   • In-person: visit the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) or a Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) branch.
   • Through an authorized agent: you can appoint someone to apply on your behalf once your identity has been verified at a household registration office.
   • One-stop passport service: apply directly at a household registration office that offers this service.
3. Hand in your completed form and required documents at your chosen location. Ensure all information is accurate to prevent delays.
4. Pay the fee.
5. Wait for processing.

Taiwan NWOHR passport application:

1. Gather required documents:
   • Application form
   • Documents proving your Taiwanese nationality, such as a birth certificate or parents’ IDs
   • Two recent passport-sized photos
   • If needed, show proof of your residency abroad
2. Decide where to apply:
   • Overseas locations: submit your application at a Taiwanese embassy, consulate, or representative office in your country.
   • Mainland China: you may apply through a relative or spouse residing in Taiwan, or through an immigration service agency.
   • Hong Kong or Macao: use the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in these areas for your application.
3. Apply in person or via an authorized agent, including all necessary documents.
4. Pay the fee.
5. Wait for processing.

Taiwan passport photo requirements

When applying for a Taiwan passport, you'll need to provide two identical Taiwan passport-size photos that meet specific criteria:

• The Taiwan passport picture size must be 35 × 45 mm with a resolution of 600 dpi.
• The background should be plain white, without shadows or any objects.
• The head should measure between 32-36 mm in height, with a 3 mm gap from the top of the photo to the top of the hairstyle.
• Keep a neutral expression; a slight smile is allowed, but no teeth can be visible.
• Both eyes should be clearly visible, with no glare from glasses. Tinted glasses are not accepted unless for medical reasons.
• Both ears should be visible unless a medical condition prevents this.
• Hats or headscarves are generally not permitted, except for religious reasons. In such cases, the face must be entirely visible from the chin to the forehead.
• It’s best to remove earrings and other accessories to ensure the photo is distraction-free.

Taiwan Passport Photo App

Wondering where to take Taiwan passport photo? For a convenient and cost-effective way to get a compliant passport photo, check out the best Taiwan passport photo maker — 7ID App.

The app is simple to use: upload your photo, select the document type and country, and let the app adjust the picture to meet official standards, including size, format, background, and proper facial alignment.

You'll get a digital image and a print template suitable for common paper sizes like 10×15 cm, A4, A5, or B5. If you're not happy with the outcome, the app offers free photo replacement. If the photo is rejected by officials, you can obtain a full refund. Plus, 24/7 technical support is available for any assistance you need.

Taiwan passport fees

Here's a breakdown of the fees for applying for a Taiwan passport:

For Nationals with Household Registration:

• Ordinary passport: USD 39;
• Passport for applicants under age 14: USD 27.

For Nationals without Household Registration (NWOHR):

• Ordinary passport (10-year validity): USD 45;
• Passport with restricted validity period: USD 31.

How long does it take to get Taiwan passport

The usual Taiwan passport processing time is approximately four working days for standard passports. NWOHR applications generally take about five working days to process.

Taiwan passport expiry rules

The following rules apply to the validity of Taiwan passports:

• Ordinary passports: valid for 10 years.
• For those under age 14: valid for 5 years.
• Diplomatic and Official passports: typically valid for up to 5 years.

Once expired, passports cannot be renewed or extended. If your passport is close to expiring, generally with less than one year of validity left, it's recommended to apply for a renewal. It's important to ensure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond any planned travel dates to comply with international travel requirements.

A passport can be reissued in specific situations, such as:

• When it has less than one year of validity remaining.
• If the passport has been damaged or altered.
• If you've obtained a National Identification Number.
• In the event of a lost or destroyed passport, a replacement can usually be issued. These replacements are typically valid for up to 5 years unless particular conditions permit a longer validity.

Recent news and updates concerning Taiwan passport

Starting from 1 January 2025, Taiwan fully launched an online passport renewal service. This service, which began as a trial in September 2024, enables eligible Taiwanese citizens to renew their passports online and collect them from designated Bureau of Consular Affairs offices within 10 days. Originally available only to those with household registration in Taiwan, the service is now also open to Taiwanese nationals residing abroad who still retain their household registration.

Use the 7ID App to get your Taiwan passport photo online in a few clicks!

Download the 7ID app now for Android or iOS.

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