The application process, issuance, and management of passports of the Republic of China (hereinafter referred to as the “ROC”) are governed by the Passport Act (hereinafter referred to as the “Act”).

The Competent Authority of the Act is the ROC Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

Passports shall be produced by the Competent Authority.

Terms and definitions used in the Act are as follows:
1. Passport: refers to the document issued to citizens of the ROC by the Competent Authority or by ROC 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

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.

Passports are issued to ROC 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.

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

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

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

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. ROC 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

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.

With regard to passports held by male ROC nationals who have not yet fulfilled their compulsory military service, passport validity, required annotated stamps, application for reissuance and replacement, endorsement of overseas Chinese status, as well as other matters to be complied with, shall be prescribed by the Competent Authority after consultation with other relevant authorities.

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.

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.