Start the paperwork early
For Taiwan travellers heading to the mainland, the Taiwan Compatriot Permit is the document that matters most, and it pays to begin the process early. We suggest applying at least a month before departure, and earlier than that in peak season, when applications are heavier and processing stretches out.
The permit does several jobs. It is your entry document, it is what you present when checking into a hotel, and it is what identifies you when boarding internal flights and high-speed trains. Because it is used so often, it needs to be carried as an original, with a copy stored separately in case the original is mislaid.
Checking the expiry date
Look at the expiry date before you plan anything else. If the permit has less than six months left, renew it before you travel; a document nearing its end can cause trouble at a checkpoint or a hotel desk. Renewal takes working days, and the volume of applications in peak season makes it slower, so treat it as a task to finish once flights and dates are fixed.
- Apply at least a month before departure, earlier in peak season.
- Carry the original permit and keep a copy separately.
- Renew if less than six months remain before expiry.
- Check the name spelling and the photo on the document.
What we remind you to do
Before departure we will prompt you to check the name spelling and the photo on the permit, and to know what you need to show at hotel registration. Getting these small details right early avoids an awkward moment at the front desk.
Before you go
Document rules are set by the authorities and can change, so check the latest official notice before you travel. If you are unsure whether your itinerary needs anything further, ask your consultant and we will set it out clearly.