Regulations on Restrictions for Males Who Have Not Fulfilled Compulsory Military Service Applying for Passport and Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement

Promulgation Date: May 13, 2025

Article 1

The Regulations on Restrictions for Males Who Have Not Fulfilled Compulsory Military Service Applying for Passport and Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement (the “Regulation”) is prescribed in accordance with Article 12 of the Passport Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”).

Article 2

The Competent Authority of the Regulation is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 3

Males who have not fulfilled compulsory military service referred to in the Regulation shall mean males who once had household registration in Taiwan and who are of the conscription age from January 1 of the year immediately after they are reaching the age of eighteen to December 31 of the year in which they reach the age of thirty-six (hereinafter referred to as the “Draftee(s)”), who have not fulfilled or been exempted from compulsory military service.

The application for issuance, renewal or replacement of passport for Draftees living abroad referred to in the preceding Paragraph shall be processed in accordance with the provisions of the Regulation stipulated herein.

Article 4

Males who are Draftees living abroad applying for reissuance of passports with the overseas embassies and representative offices pursuant to Article 19 of the Act shall prepare two passport photos as well as the following requirements:

1. The latest issued passport. In the event of such passport has expired or has been lost or missing and cannot be submitted for inspection and verification, the overseas embassies and representative offices may require the applicant to provide other documents as proof of R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationality.

    2. Application form for ordinary passport.

3. Relevant documents required by the Competent Authority based on the reasons prescribed in the provision for reissuance.

4. Personal identification document which the overseas embassies and representative offices deem imperative for verification.

For Draftees abroad who meet the schooling requirements stipulated in the Enforcement Act of Act of Military Service System as well as the Regulations for Exit of Draftees can, after January 1 of the year they reach the age of nineteen, renew their passports with validity of three years each time upon verification of their certificate of school enrollment or school admission letter for studies commencing effective within three months.

For Draftees abroad who do not meet the requirements set forth in the preceding Paragraph for passport renewal after expiry of their passports, the overseas embassies and representative offices can issue a passport with validity of one year for such Draftees to return to the R.O.C.（Taiwan）.

The issuance of passports with validity of one year in the preceding Paragraph shall be limited to once, unless an unavoidable reason with approval by the overseas embassies and representative offices, and shall also inform the Ministry of the Interior.

Article 5

For Draftees applying for passport abroad, the application can be submitted by post to the nearby overseas embassies and representative offices. Unless the applicant will collect the passport in person, return postage or fees equivalent to the cost of postal delivery shall be provided along with any application submitted by post.

Article 6

For Draftees abroad, if any one of the circumstances listed below is met, the application procedure and passport validity period when applying for passport renewal at nearby overseas embassies and representative offices or institution or non-governmental organization established or designated by the Executive Yuan in Hong Kong or Macau shall be processed in accordance with the general provisions:

1. who already holds passport with overseas Compatriot Identity endorsement and who is  not yet required to be drafted for military service immediately in accordance with the laws.

2. who exited the R.O.C.（Taiwan）before December 31 of the year he reaches the age of fifteen and has entered theR.O.C.（Taiwan）ever since.

Draftees who hold a foreign passport when entering the R.O.C.（Taiwan）or who are abroad, in the Mainland China Area, Hong Kong or Macau cannot be permitted to apply for passport renewal in the R.O.C.（Taiwan）However, the foregoing does not apply to holders of passport with overseas Compatriot Identity endorsement.

For applicants met the requirements as specified in the preceding Paragraph, the documents required and the procedures for passport application shall be processed in accordance with the Regulations for Application and Issuance Passports

Article 7

Draftees abroad applying for replacement of lost passport at the nearby overseas embassies and representative offices shall submit the following documents:

1. Document issued by local police substantiating the reporting of loss. In the event that the local police has not issued or is unable to issue such document, a written explanation notice for loss of passport may be used as substitute.

2. Other required documents for application for passport.

For Draftees referred to in the preceding Paragraph who meet the requirements of replacement of passport stipulated in Paragraph 2 of Article 4, the validity for the replacement passport shall be limited to three years pursuant to the aforesaid provision. For Draftees who do not meet the aforementioned requirements, the validity for the replacement passport shall be reissued in accordance with Paragraph 3 of Article 4. For the event of passport stains, application for reissuance shall apply the same provision as stipulated in the Paragraph 3 of Article 4.

Article 8

The determination of the endorsement of overseas Compatriot Identity shall be processed in accordance with the Overseas Compatriot Identity Certification Act, the Enforcement Rules of the Overseas Compatriot Identity Certification Act, and the Regulations Governing Application for Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement by Males Who Have Not Completed Compulsory Military Service of Conscription Age or Near Conscription Age which are administered by the competence of the Overseas Community Affairs Council.

Article 9

For Draftees abroad applying for passport at the designated authorities or the non-governmental organizations appointed by the Executive Yuan in Hong Kong and Macao, the provisions related to the application of passport at overseas embassies and representative offices stipulated in the Regulation shall apply.

Article 10

These Regulations shall come into force as of the date of promulgation.

Chapter I. General Provisions

Article 1 
The application process, issuance, and management of passports of the Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “R.O.C.（Taiwan）”) are governed by the Passport Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”).

Article 2 
The Competent Authority of the Act is the R.O.C.（Taiwan）Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Article 3 
Passports shall be produced by the Competent Authority.

Article 4 
Terms and definitions used in the Act are as follows:

1. Passport: refers to the document issued to citizens of the R.O.C.（Taiwan）by the Competent Authority or by R.O.C.（Taiwan）overseas embassies, consulates, representative offices, and offices (hereinafter referred to as “Overseas Missions”) for international travel and proof of nationality.
2. Dependent: refers to a spouse, parent, minor child, adult child who is still in school, or an unmarried adult child with physical and/or mental disabilities who is incapable of maintaining a livelihood independently.

Article 5 
Passport holders shall keep possession of their passport and use it legally. They shall not alter their passport, sell it to others, leverage it as collateral, use it to offset debt, or offer it to others for identity fraud.
Passport holders shall fill in relevant information and affix their signature to the passport as instructed. No alterations, additions, or deletions shall be made to the passport and no stamps shall be affixed thereon, except by the Competent Authority.

Article 6 
Passports are issued to R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationals. Unless the Competent Authority decides otherwise, passports shall not be issued to people from the Mainland Area or residents of Hong Kong and Macau before they become citizens of the Taiwan Area.

Article 7 
There are three types of passport: diplomatic, official, and ordinary.

Article 8 
Diplomatic and official passports shall be issued by the Competent Authority. Ordinary passports shall be issued by the Competent Authority or Overseas Missions.

Article 9 
The following persons are eligible for diplomatic passports: 

1. The President, Vice President, and their dependents.
2. Diplomatic and consular personnel and their dependents, and attaches to heads of Overseas Missions.
3. Dignitaries sent abroad by the central government on diplomatic missions and their dependents, as well as approved attaches.
4. Diplomatic couriers.
5. Any other person approved by the Competent Authority.

Article 10 
The following persons are eligible for official passports: 

1. Personnel stationed abroad on official business by government agencies at various levels, and their dependents
2. Personnel sent abroad on official business by government agencies at various levels, and their accompanying spouses.
3. R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationals employed by intergovernmental organizations, and their dependents.
4. Personnel stationed abroad, with approval from the Competent Authority, by legal persons or organizations conducting official business commissioned by the government, and their dependents; and personnel sent abroad by organizations to engage in international exchanges or activities commissioned by the government, and their accompanying spouses.

Article 11
Diplomatic and official passports are valid for up to five years. Ordinary passports are valid for up to 10 years. However, for those under 14 years of age, ordinary passports are valid for up to five years.
The actual validity of passports may be determined by the Competent Authority within the limits specified in the preceding paragraph.
The validity of passports may not be extended upon expiry.

Article 12
With regard to passports held by male R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationals who have not yet fulfilled their compulsory military service, passport validity, required annotated stamps, application for reissuance and replacement, Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsements, as well as other matters to be complied with, shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority after consultation with other relevant authorities.

Article 13 
With regard to passports containing an electronic chip, the information listed on the passport’s data page, as well as a photo of the passport holder, shall be stored on the electronic chip.

Article 14 
Diplomatic and official passports are issued free of charge. Fees shall be charged for ordinary passports unless they are issued for official purposes as approved by the Competent Authority. However, in the event that, within three months of issuance of the passport, the Competent Authority agrees to reissue the passport in accordance with Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 2 of Article 19 due to inauspicious homophones appearing in the passport number or other special circumstances, the fees may be reduced. Fee standards shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.

Chapter II. Application for, and Reissuance and Replacement of, Passports

Article 15 
The application for passports shall be made in person or by an authorized agent of the applicant. However, in the event of the following circumstances, the application shall be made in accordance with relevant regulations:

1. When applying for an ordinary passport for the first time in the R.O.C.（Taiwan）, the applicant shall apply in person at the Competent Authority, or shall apply in person for identity verification at a Household Registration Office designated by the Competent Authority and then authorize an agent to submit the passport application to the Competent Authority on his or her behalf.
2. When applying for an ordinary passport, or for reissuance or replacement of an ordinary passport, in the Mainland Area, Hong Kong, or Macau, the applicant shall apply in person at the relevant institution or nongovernmental organization established or designated by the Executive Yuan.

For the circumstances stipulated in the preceding paragraph, in the event the applicant cannot submit the application in person due to special reasons, it may be submitted by an authorized agent upon approval of the Competent Authority.
The criteria, methods, and procedures for passport application, reissuance, and replacement, as well as required documents and other matters to be complied with, shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.

Article 16 
Minors over seven years of age applying for a passport require the written consent of their legal guardian. 
For minors below seven years of age or persons under guardianship, the application shall be submitted by their legal guardian. 
For those who have two or more legal guardians as referred to in the preceding two paragraphs, their applications may be submitted by only one of their legal guardians.

Article 17 
Information other than that listed on the data page may be added to the passport when needed in accordance with relevant laws and regulations.

Article 18 
Passport applicants shall not apply for a joint passport with others. Passport holders shall not hold more than one passport at the same time except for special circumstances approved by the Competent Authority.

Article 19 
In the event of any one of the following circumstances, an application shall be submitted for passport reissuance: 

1. Wear and tear on the passport has rendered it unfit for use. 
2. Alteration of the passport holder’s physical appearance has rendered it inconsistent with the passport photograph.
3. Changes have occurred concerning the information on the passport data page. 
4. The passport holder has acquired a National Identification Number. 
5. Defects and blemishes are found on the passport.
6. The electronic chip of the passport cannot be read properly.

In the event of any one of the following circumstances, an application may be submitted for passport reissuance: 

1. The remaining validity of the passport is less than one year. 
2. The passport currently held is not of the latest design. 
3. The passport holder deems reissuance necessary and has obtained approval from the Competent Authority.

Article 20 
Passport holders whose passport has been lost or destroyed may apply for a replacement, which will be valid for five years. However, in the event of any one of the following circumstances, relevant regulations shall apply: 

1. If the passport is destroyed due to a natural disaster or other special circumstances, which have been confirmed by the Competent Authority or Overseas Missions, validity shall be in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 11. 
2. If the passport that has been lost is found prior to replacement, and the original passport has remaining validity of more than five years, the replacement passport shall have the validity of the original passport. 
3. Provisions stipulated in Paragraph 3 of Article 21 apply.

Article 21
In the event of any one of the following circumstances, the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission processing the passport application may request that the applicant provide additional documentation within a specified period of time or appear in person for an interview:

1. The application does not follow the required procedures or the required documentation is incomplete. 
2. The information or photograph contained in the application is inconsistent with the identification information submitted or passport data on file. 
3. Inaccurate information or incomplete statements have been provided concerning important items in the application. 
4. Alterations, additions, or deletions have been made to the passport, or additional stamps have been affixed thereon.
5. On more than two occasions within the last 10 years, the applicant has applied for a passport due to a lost or destroyed passport.
6. The original passport is worn and torn or damaged. 
7. The passport has been sold to others, or handed over to others as collateral, or to offset debt.

In the event of any of the circumstances in the preceding paragraph, the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission may extend the processing time for applications to two months, or six months if necessary.
In the event of any one of the circumstances described in Subparagraphs 4 to 7 of Paragraph 1, the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission may shorten the validity of the passport to between 18 months and three years.

Chapter III. Denial, Seizure, Revocation, and Rescindment of Passports

Article 22 
Diplomatic or official passport holders shall return their passport by the deadline specified by the Competent Authority once the purpose of holding such passport ceases to exist during the validity period, unless the Competent Authority has approved continued use.
In the event the passport holders referred to in the preceding paragraph fail to return the passport by the specified deadline, the Competent Authority shall rescind the issuance of the passport and cancel the passport.

Article 23 
In the event of any one of the following circumstances, the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission shall deny the applicant a passport:

1. The applicant uses a false identity, provides false information, or uses documents that have been illegally acquired, counterfeited, or altered. 
2. Judicial or military justice agencies have informed the Competent Authority that a passport shall not be issued to the applicant. 
3. The National Immigration Agency of the Ministry of the Interior (hereinafter referred to as the National Immigration Agency) has in accordance with the law placed restrictions on the applicant’s overseas travel or prohibited the applicant from leaving the country, and has informed the Competent Authority of these restrictions or prohibition.
4. The applicant has failed to provide additional documentation within a specified period or appear in person for an interview in accordance with Paragraph 1 of Article 21.

When judicial or military justice agencies or the National Immigration Agency notify the Competent Authority as specified in the aforementioned Subparagraphs 2 and 3, such notification shall be made in writing or via electronic transmission and shall contain the name, date of birth, and National Identification Number of the applicant, as well as the reason and legal basis for the restriction or prohibition. Notifications from judicial or military justice agencies shall also specify the duration of the restriction or prohibition.

Article 24 
Passports shall not be seized except in circumstances specified by the law.
When a passport holder presents a passport, the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission shall seize it in the event of any one of the following circumstances: 

1. The passport has been forged or altered, or uses a false identity; the information contained in the application is false; or forged, altered, or illegally acquired documents are used for the application.
2. The passport holder is abroad, in the Mainland Area, Hong Kong, or Macau, and any of the circumstances described in Subparagraph 2 or Subparagraph 3 of Paragraph 1 of the preceding Article apply.

Forged passports shall be confiscated regardless of who the bearer is.

Article 25 
In the event of any of the circumstances described in Subparagraph 1 of Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article, the Competent Authority or the Overseas Mission shall revoke the issuance of the passport and cancel the passport, except when it has been forged.
In the event of any of the following circumstances, the Competent Authority or the Overseas Mission shall rescind the issuance of the passport and cancel the passport:

1. Circumstances described in Subparagraph 2 of Paragraph 2 of the preceding Article. 
2. Alterations, additions, or deletions have been made to the passport or additional stamps have been affixed thereon.
3. There is sufficient evidence proving that the passport which should be returned pursuant to relevant regulations cannot be returned. 
4. The passport holder has become a citizen of the Mainland Area. 
5. The passport holder has lost R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationality. 
6. The passport has been lost, or an application for reissuance or replacement has been submitted.
7. The passport has not been claimed within three months of the date of issuance.

In the event of death of the passport holder, or declaration of death, the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission shall cancel the passport. 

Article 26 
With regard to R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationals who are abroad, have household registration in the R.O.C.（Taiwan）, and have been denied a passport, or whose passport has been seized as a result of circumstances described in Subparagraphs 2 and 3 of Paragraph 1 of Article 23, the Overseas Mission may issue a passport with a validity of less than one year, or an entry permit to the R.O.C.（Taiwan）, to such persons for the specific purpose of traveling back to the R.O.C.（Taiwan）.
With regard to R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationals who are abroad, have household registration in the R.O.C.（Taiwan）, and whose passport has expired or has been lost or destroyed and who cannot wait for reissuance or replacement, the Overseas Mission may issue an entry permit for such persons.

Article 27 
In the event that the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission makes a decision in accordance with Articles 22 to 25, such decision shall be made in writing, except for decisions related to circumstances described in Subparagraphs 3, 5, and 6 of Paragraph 2 of Article 25.

Article 28 
With regard to the seizure, confiscation, and retention of passports by the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission, as well as passport applications or passport applications submitted by third parties to the Competent Authority or Overseas Mission, the retention period, cancellation, and method of destruction, as well as other relevant matters to be complied, shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.

Chapter IV. Penal Provisions

Article 29
In the event of any of the following acts, imprisonment of no less than one year but no more than seven years and a fine of no more than NT$700,000 may be imposed on related persons when such acts are deemed to harm the general public or others:

1. Purchase or sale of passport.
2. Use of passport to offset debts or liabilities.
3. Forgery or alteration of passport.
4. Use of a forged and altered passport referred to in the preceding Subparagraph.

Article 30
In the event of any one of the following acts, imprisonment of no more than seven years and a fine of no more than NT$700,000 may be imposed on related persons: 

1. When deemed to harm the general public or others: intention to provide a fraudulent identity for use in a passport application; or forgery, alteration, or illegal obtainment of a National Identification Card, Household Registration Transcript, Household Certificate, R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationality certificate, Overseas Compatriot Identity Certificate, document proving the R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationality of at least one parent, birth certificate of the applicant, or other ROC nationality certification documents.
2. Use of forged, altered, or illegally obtained R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationality certification documents for passport applications.
3. Intention to provide a fraudulent identity for use in a passport application through provision of R.O.C.（Taiwan）nationality certification documents specified in Subparagraph 1 to others, or submission of fraudulent reports of loss of such documents. 
4. Use of fraudulent identity in passport applications.

Article 31 
In the event of any one of the following acts, imprisonment of no more than five years, detention, and/or a fine of no more than NT$500,000 may be imposed on related persons: 

1. Provision of passport to others, or submission of false reports of passport loss to facilitate illegal use by others.
2. Fraudulent use of passport issued to another person.

Article 32 
Imprisonment of no more than three years, detention, and/or a fine of no more than NT$300,000 may be imposed on those who illegally seize another person’s passport or use a passport as collateral for debts or liabilities, when such acts are deemed to harm the general public or others.

Article 33 
If the acts described in Articles 29 to 32 are committed outside R.O.C.（Taiwan）territory, they shall be punished in accordance with this Act regardless of whether the law where the acts are committed stipulate related punishment.

Chapter V. Supplementary Provisions

Article 34 
Institutions or nongovernmental organizations established or designated by the Executive Yuan shall use this Act when dealing with passport matters.

Article 35 
If the Competent Authority, when dealing with matters related to the issuance, replacement, reissuance, and management of passports, requests other agencies to provide information concerning nationality changes, household registration, military service status, dates of entry or exit, legal restrictions or prohibitions on overseas travel, arrest warrants, protective measures, and military personnel, such requests may not be refused.

Article 35-1
For those who married before the amendments to this Act entered into effect on December 29, 2020, and had not yet reached 18 years of age at that date, the regulations in place before the amendments shall be applied until they reach 18 years of age.

Article 36 
The Enforcement Rules of the Act shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority.

Article 37 
The effective date of this Act shall be prescribed by the Executive Yuan.