
Taiwan is launching its newly designed passport in January. The new passport cover features the word “Taiwan” in English much more prominently and the "Republic of China" in much smaller font.
The new passport is to help distinguish citizens of Taiwan from that of China. Taiwan’s official name is the Republic of China while China’s is the People’s Republic of China.
Citizens who hold valid passports can still use their passports until they expire or apply for a new one if they want to.Citizens can apply for the new passport at Taiwan's embassies, consulates and representative offices abroad and the Bureau of Consular Affairs and the ministry’s branch offices in Taiwan.
The foreign ministry said on Monday that the application process and requirements for the new passport will remain unchanged. The passport fees will be NT$1,300 (US$45.51) for adults and NT$900 for children 14 years and under.
The ministry is also giving gifts to some applicants who apply on the day of the launch which is Jan. 11, 2021. There will be a computer-generated lottery for the first 100 series numbers.
The ministry has directed Taiwan's embassies, consulates and representative offices abroad to ask immigration authorities, airline companies, and International Air Transport Association in other countries to expedite immigration clearance for holders of the new Taiwan passport.