The Bureau of Entry & Exit under the Ministry of Interior recently announced that as from July 1 entry and exit requirements would be abolished for persons registered as resident in the Taiwan area (including Kinmen and Matsu), but that current entry and exit regulations would continue to apply to other persons. Those already holding passports and exit permits may continue to use them until they are changed in due course, and there is no need for applications to be rushed through before July 1.
In consultation with the Consular Affairs section under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Interior has studied the implementation details and working methods for the July 1 abolition of Taiwan area entry and exit permits. The following points were decided:
(1) The offices of the passport issuing agency of the Consular Affairs section under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Bureau of Entry & Exit will be combined into one. Until premises are found, 30 staff from the Bureau of Entry & Exit will be transferred to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to work jointly with the Ministry on issuing passports.
(2) Similarly, the work of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs passport issuing office in Kaohsiung will be combined with that of the Bureau of Entry & Exit's southern Taiwan service center.
(3) Application in triplicate for entry and exit by ROC citizens of 35 years and under who are liable for military service will be rescinded as from July 1, as the Bureau of Entry & Exit will circulate county and city governments by computer.
(4) Written consent of the competent investigating officials is still required for exit by parolees and persons on bail before an exit permit can be processed.
(5) Due to their special status, military personnel are still required to apply for an exit permit each time they leave the country. Procedures for civil servants and teachers will be discussed at a meeting of government departments to be called by the Central Personnel Administration, Executive Yuan.