Large-scale Relaxations on Tourism Abroad

Since April 1 the government lifted restrictions on citizens applying to tour abroad. The following revisions have been made:

1. Any citizen of the R.O.C. residing on Taiwan, Kinmen, or the Matsu Islands, with the exception of males between the ages of sixteen and 26 (including military reservists and militiamen) may apply to leave the country for tourism.

2. People may apply to exit the country for tourism twice a year. Tourism is limited to free countries and areas.

3. The length of time for tourism abroad may not exceed three months. Those who exceed this time limit must wait six months from the date of their return before applying to leave the country again for tourism.

4. Most citizens who wish to leave the country for tourism may apply in person or ask a friend to present a letter asking to apply on his or her behalf to the Bureau of Entry & Exit, the Tourism Bureau of the Ministry of Communications, or certain travel agencies.

5. Those who wish to leave the country for tourism, yet are not sixteen years old, should apply together with a blood relative and share the same exit entry permit and passport.

6. Those serving in the government, public schools, and government-owned enterprises who wish to go abroad for tourism must first gain permission from their service organization and then submit it to the Bureau of Entry & Exit for processing.

7. Military personnel who wish to leave the country for tourism will be handled by the Ministry of National Defense.

8. Those who wish to leave the country for tourism must complete one entry-exit application form, one exit information card, and submit their household registers, four recent bust photographs (hat removed), and application fee. The applicant must also present his or her identification card which will be returned upon inspection.

9. Except for those who wish to go to Hong Kong or Macao, where exit-entry permits are used, people who wish to travel to other countries or areas will be required to apply for visas from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs after it receives notification by the Bureau of Entry & Exit. Exit permits are effective for six months. If the applicant does not go abroad during the six-month period, then he or she may apply for an extension once more for another six months.

10. Those who travel abroad for tourism may not change their passports while abroad or extend their visas. They are also not allowed to apply for a passport to a third country while in Hong Kong or apply to exchange their passports while abroad.

Australian office in the R.O.C. Accepting Visa Applications

●The Australian government has empowered the Australian Commerce and Industry Office, to accept and process applications by R.O.C. citizens for Australian visas for business, tourism, and visiting relatives. Student visas will still be processed in the Hong Kong office. This move will be of great assistance as a further step in promoting Substantive relations between the R.O.C. and Australia in bilateral trade, travel, sports, culture, and technical cooperation.

●On September 15 last year Argentina halted the issuance of individual visas to R.O.C. citizens for one year on the grounds of "curbing entry visas not issued through legal procedures." Through the pressure of public opinion and the influence of R.O.C. private organizations, the restrictions were formally lifted this February 19.