Citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan) will be able to apply for passports with the new cover design starting Jan. 11, 2021, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Unveiled by the MOFA during a special press conference Sept. 2 in Taipei City, the new design follows a resolution passed by the Legislature in July requiring the government to make “Taiwan” more prominent on the cover, thereby distinguishing the country more clearly from China.
According to the ministry, the change will help ensure the dignity and rights of Taiwan’s citizens traveling abroad while mitigating inconvenience caused by other countries mistaking Taiwan passports for those of China. Current passports will remain in effect until their date of expiration, it added
The new cover retains the color and general layout of the older version as well as most of the elements, including the country’s official name in Chinese and English and the national emblem.
Major changes include enlarging the English text for Taiwan and placing it directly above the word “passport” to clearly indicate holders’ national identity. In addition, the country’s official English name now encircles the national emblem for greater aesthetic appeal.
The MOFA said it has also asked airline companies, the International Air Transport Association and immigration and port authorities of countries around the world to expedite immigration clearance for holders of the new passports. (SFC-E)
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