Who Needs This Article?
- Taiwanese citizens residing long-term in Thailand needing to renew or replace a passport
- Passport expiring soon, affecting visa extensions or future travel plans
- Planning international transit or applying for other countries’ visas, requiring a passport with sufficient validity
- Being in Thailand and wanting to understand the entire process in advance
Most Important 2026 Reminder: Passport Must Be Collected in Person in Taiwan
the collection rule requires you to appear in person you must still return to Taiwan in person to receive your new passport
Eligibility and Restrictions
Conditional Online Passport Renewal System
Eligible Applicants｜Who Can Apply Online
- Adults with household registration in Taiwan (minors are not eligible)
- Passport has expired, or passport validity is less than 1 year and not lost (effective from July 1, 2026)
- Passport data page information does not need to be changed (name, date of birth, nationality, etc., must match the current passport)
- Passport has no endorsements on its pages (e.g., no overseas resident status endorsement, no foreign alias)
- Possess a Citizen Digital Certificate (Natural Person Certificate) or the Mobile Citizen Digital Certificate App
Timeline of Eligibility Expansion: This system officially launched on January 1, 2025, initially only for passports that had expired. From July 1, 2025, it was expanded to include passports with less than 6 months validity. From July 1, 2026, it was further expanded to include passports with less than 1 year validity, aligning with the conditions for in-person counter applications.
Ineligible Cases｜These Situations Require In-Person Application
- First-time applicants for a Taiwan passport (regardless of age)
- Those needing a replacement due to loss or damage
- Those with name changes or changes in personal data (e.g., name change, gender correction)
- Those with overseas resident status or foreign alias endorsements on passport pages
- Overseas conscripts (役男): Must apply at the nearest overseas mission (e.g., TECO) as required by law; the online system is not applicable
- Those without a new-style National ID card (issued after December 21, 2005): Must first return to Taiwan to exchange for a new ID card before collecting the passport
Must-Know Before Applying: Online Application ≠ Collection in Thailand
complete the application and payment from anywhere using a computer or phone passports must be collected in person What you can do from Thailand:
- Fill out the online form
- Upload a photo
- Pay by credit card
- Select the collection location in Taiwan
What you must return to Taiwan to do:
- Present the receipt, original new-style National ID card, and current passport (required if validity is less than 6 months; not required if expired) at the chosen collection point
- The collection deadline is within 3 months from the date indicated on the receipt. Failure to collect within this period will result in the new passport being legally canceled without a refund.
TECO Bangkok clearly states
Detailed Step-by-Step Process
Step 1: Confirm Eligibility and Prepare Equipment
- Taiwan National ID card (must be the new-style, issued after December 21, 2005)
- Citizen Digital Certificate (requires a card reader) or the Mobile Citizen Digital Certificate App (Ministry of the Interior App)
- Current passport (to verify data accuracy)
- Digital passport photo meeting specifications (white background, taken within 6 months, compliant with MOFA standards)
- Taiwan-issued credit card for online payment (must be from an issuer contracted with the National Credit Card Center of Taiwan; foreign credit cards are not accepted, but someone else’s Taiwan credit card can be used for payment)
Step 2: Log In and Complete the Online Application
- Go to the Bureau of Consular Affairs’ “Conditional Online Passport Renewal System”: 🔗 https://epass.boca.gov.tw
- Log in using your Citizen Digital Certificate or Mobile Citizen Digital Certificate. The system will verify your identity via the MyData platform and populate your personal information.
- Confirm that the information on your passport data page is correct.
- Upload the digital photo (it is recommended to use the MOFA photo checker tool first to ensure compliance).
- Select your collection location in Taiwan (this cannot be changed after submission).
- Pay the fee online with a Taiwan credit card: Fee NT$1,300 (adult, 10-year validity).
Step 3: Wait for Passport Production
- Production time: 10 working days from the day after payment (14 working days for Penghu, Kinmen, and Matsu areas).
- You can check the production status on the Bureau of Consular Affairs website.
Step 4: Arrange Your Return Trip to Collect the Passport
- Arrange your return trip to Taiwan and collect the passport within 3 months from the date indicated on the receipt.
- Go to the collection location you selected during the application. You can choose from:
- Bureau of Consular Affairs (Taipei)
- Central Taiwan Office (Taichung)
- Southern Taiwan Office (Kaohsiung)
- Eastern Taiwan Office (Hualien)
- Yunlin-Chiayi-Tainan Office (Chiayi)
- Present the following documents in person for identity verification and to collect your new passport:
- Payment receipt
- Original new-style National ID card (will be returned after corner-cutting)
- Current passport (required if validity is less than 6 months; not required if expired)
Step 5: Return to Thailand
Process Summary
| Stage | Where to Complete | Estimated Time |
|---|---|---|
| Online Application & Payment | Thailand (anywhere) | Approx. 15–30 minutes |
| Passport Production by MOFA | — | 10 working days |
| In-Person Collection in Taiwan | MOFA offices in Taiwan | Depends on travel plans |
requires at least 2–3 weeks
Assistance from Taiwan’s Representative Office in Thailand
Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Bangkok (TECO Bangkok)
- Address: 40/64 Vibhavadi-Rangsit 66, Laksi, Bangkok 10210
- Phone: +66-2-119-3555 (ext. 351 for consular inquiries)
- Email: [email protected] (general affairs); [email protected] (passport, document, visa related)
- Consular Service Hours: Monday to Friday, 09:00–11:30 AM (closed in the afternoon)
- Closed on Thai public holidays, Republic of China National Day, and the first day of the Lunar New Year.
What Assistance Can TECO Provide?
1. Entry Permit (for returning to Taiwan with an expired or soon-to-expire passport)
2. Emergency Travel Document Assistance
3. Document Authentication and Notarization
4. Emergency Assistance
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q1: After applying online, can I ask a friend or family member in Taiwan to collect my passport for me?
No. collection is limited to the applicant in person
Q2: How much validity must my passport have left to apply for online renewal?
From July 1, 2026
Q3: Can I complete the entire passport renewal process (including collection) in Thailand?
No.
Q4: What should I do if I lose my passport in Thailand?
cannot be replaced in Thailand
- Contact TECO Bangkok immediately and explain the situation.
- The office can assist in applying for an emergency travel document to allow you to return to Taiwan.
- After returning to Taiwan, apply for a formal replacement passport in person at the Bureau of Consular Affairs (in-person application required, not available online).
Q5: Can I use a foreign credit card for online payment?
No.
Q6: I am an overseas conscript (役男) who has not yet served in the military. Can I use the online system?
No.
Q7: Can I use the online system if my passport data has changed (e.g., name change)?
No.
Q8: Is there an option to have the passport shipped (e.g., by a friend or family member)?
not available
Important Notes and Reminders
1. Plan 2–3 Months in Advance
2. Confirm Entry Eligibility Before Returning to Taiwan
Do not use a foreign passport to enter Taiwan
