Hello! I am a direct-hire teacher recruited by a school in Taiwan. I already have my work permit and employment contract verified by MECO. However, while preparing to process my visa at TECO and my OEC, I noticed some damage on the bio page of my Philippine passport, and it may need to be replaced.
My concern is that if I obtain a new passport, the passport number will no longer match the one indicated on my work permit and employment contract. I would like to ask what the proper procedure would be in this situation.
Has anyone experienced a similar case and still been able to continue the application process and travel to Taiwan successfully? I would greatly appreciate any advice or shared experiences.
Thank you very much for your time and assistance. God bless!
Depends on the damage I guess. It seems like you’re far enough along now that getting a new passport and having to change everything will be a total PITA, so you may as well just chance the final steps and renew it from Taiwan if necessary. If the TECO/OEC have a problem with the state of your passport, I would imagine they’d tell you.
Hi! Thank you very much for your response. To clarify, the issue shown in the photo is exactly what is on my passport. Do you think this would be officially considered damaged and require a replacement?
From the picture, it looks like minimal damage.
I’d assume that >95% of border personnel won’t care at all or at least just let you off with a reminder to get it replaced.
No guarantee, of course, but personally, I would just keep using that passport as is.
For comparison, the guidelines of some US embassies state this for when to apply for a new passport:
You may apply for a new passport when damage is beyond normal “wear and tear”. For example, water damage, missing visa pages, a significant tear, etc.
I’d say neither of that applies to your passport. It’s just a tiny tear, not a significant one.
If this is indeed an exact photo of your passport (as you state), I don’t think you will be able to pass immigration with that huge smiley sticker where the photo should be.
you really think you need to get your passport replaced because of one tiny rip? It’s not even on any text or important information on the passport, if it is really just that one tiny rip, I wouldn’t worry about it at all.
If that is the “damage” you’re referring to which looks like the slightest of tear to me, then I’d advise you to not replace it and go through all the hassles of getting a new passport.
Just take good care of your passport from now on by placing it in a passport protective cover and you’ll be fine.
