Taipei: Taiwan's top diplomat handling consular affairs has advised Taiwanese nationals on the services available to them through Taiwan's consular offices as the busy Lunar New Year travel season approaches. Calvin Ho, director-general of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA), highlighted the various support options available, both domestically and internationally, in a recent interview.
According to Focus Taiwan, Ho emphasized the importance of understanding the capabilities and limitations of Taiwan's consular offices. One common issue travelers face is discovering at the airport that their passports lack the required six months of validity for entry into many countries. To address such emergencies, BOCA provides urgent passport renewal services at Taoyuan International Airport, Taiwan's main international hub. In 2024, 1,194 emergency passports were issued at the airport, albeit at a significant cost compared to standard renewals.
BOCA data reveals that the most frequently used emergency service for Taiwanese abroad is obtaining a new passport after the original has been lost or stolen, accounting for nearly 40 percent of emergency service requests in 2024. Additionally, many requests pertain to government assistance following traffic accidents or health emergencies, making up 9.15 percent of requests.
Ho noted that MOFA's foreign offices can also extend loans of up to US$800 to Taiwanese nationals facing emergencies abroad. This service is available to those who cannot access immediate financial help from family or friends, provided they agree to repay the loan within 60 days.
However, Ho cautioned that there are certain limitations to the assistance Taiwan's overseas offices can offer, particularly in legal matters. According to BOCA data, 5.71 percent of emergency assistance requests involved judicial issues, which diplomatic missions cannot interfere with. Instead, the offices can provide contact information for local legal services.
Ho stressed the importance of understanding the services offered by Taiwan's overseas offices, especially in light of criticism from influencers accusing the government of inadequate support. He encouraged Taiwanese travelers to register online with BOCA to facilitate government assistance in emergencies.
As the 2025 Lunar New Year approaches, Taoyuan International Airport anticipates serving 1.55 million passengers during the peak travel period. This figure is close to pre-pandemic levels, reflecting the resurgence of international travel.
Ho, who is soon to assume the role of Taiwan's representative to Greece, also highlighted the launch of an online passport renewal service as a significant achievement. The trial service, which began in September 2024, allows applicants to renew their passports online and collect them later at designated BOCA offices. While initially capped at 500 daily applicants, this limit was lifted in January 2025, though the service remains restricted to certain applicants. Ho expressed hope for future expansion of the service.