Hello all,
I am currently 37 years old (turning 38 this July), male that was born in 1981 in the US to Taiwanese parents. I am a US citizen and hold a US passport, and also have ROC passport with the overseas Chinese compatriot stamp along with a national ID # listed indicating I am a ROC national with household registration. My mother passed away some 10 years ago but my Dad’s side of the family maintains an active household registration.
I have lived in the US my entire adult life and have not completed the ROC military service.
When I renewed my ROC passport a few years ago (<36 yo. at the time) and applied for the overseas compatriot stamp, the TECO office warned me of my obligations and seriously advised against using my ROC passport to enter Taiwan until I was 37 or older. Prior to this as an adult, I have only spent short (1-2) week stints in Taiwan so I have not run afoul of the 4 month rule.
Now that I am 37 years old going on 38 (yikes!), some family matters have come up in Taiwan that necessitate things like opening bank accounts, property, etc. and I was seriously considering applying for a national ID card with proof of household registration at our family’s local household registration office.
The kicker is that in order to apply for the national ID I would also need to enter Taiwan with my ROC passport. As a 37 year old male that has not completed military service, even though I previously had obtained the overseas Chinese compatriot stamp and everything is on the up and up, it just makes me a little nervous.
I am planning to make the trip to Taiwan later this year and have checked multiple sources including some legal counsel, but just want to be absolutely sure I’m not missing anything under risk of involuntary conscription :\
Here’s the plan:
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Show up at TPE airport with my ROC passport and overseas compatriot stamp to enter Taiwan at age 37
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Once in Taiwan, take copy of hukou, ROC stamped passport, and photos to household registration office to request national ID issue
As a male borne in 1981 that is now 37, is there anything else I should be wary of or need to do to make sure this is all on the up and up so I can obtain my national ID card? I don’t believe there is, but do I need to ask for any other exemptions from military service now that I am 37 and ineligible for service? I haven’t run across anything but could use any other pointers to be absolutely sure.
Thanks in advance!