Clarification of age 36 as the end of military service

[Turtleman]

I am turning 36 June 2010, and according to TECO, they said that January 1st of the year when I turn 36 years of age, I do not need to do military service anymore. I thought I read a few years back, you had to do military service until Dec. 31st of the year that you turn 36.

So, is it January 1st, December 31 or my 36th birthday? I just like to see it written down (English or Chinese). Any links or know who I can call in Taiwan to see it in black and white. Call me paranoid, but better safe, than trust someone one's word. Thanks.



Cheers,
JJ

[IceEagle]

I am turning 36 June 2010, and according to TECO, they said that January 1st of the year when I turn 36 years of age, I do not need to do military service anymore. I thought I read a few years back, you had to do military service until Dec. 31st of the year that you turn 36.

So, is it January 1st, December 31 or my 36th birthday? I just like to see it written down (English or Chinese). Any links or know who I can call in Taiwan to see it in black and white. Call me paranoid, but better safe, than trust someone one's word. Thanks.



Cheers,
JJ

The wording on http://www.ocac.gov.tw/english/faq/faq_pop.asp?no=35 seems to suggest a year is counted from Jan 1 to Dec 31. So what day your birthday on doesn't matter.

The wording is "December 31 of the year of age XX" which makes me think it only counts if you are age XX in Dec 31st of that year. If so, then TECO is right.

You could try calling the Overseas Compatriot Affairs Commission directly at 886-2-2327-2600.

You could also try calling the Ministry of Defense (http://www.mnd.gov.tw/English/Default.aspx) at (+886) 2-2311-6117 although I'm not sure if that's the right place to try.

[Turtleman]

I got an answer from several sources in Taiwan - bad news. Military service needs to be done until December 31st of your 36th year.
Just glad I did not follow TECO's advice. I got the info from the head of the VISA department too... show how much he knows.

My wife called a few places, not sure of the names in English, but I had to get my stamp in my ROC passport and exit in 4 months.

N.B. I entered on my Canadian passport in the summer of 2004 and this time I entered with my ROC passport (which I do when I stay longer than a couple of months), and in the National Internal Affairs, where I got my exit stamp, their computers had my two passports linked. Just curious how they did that. I guess by name from the two passports. This is a caution for people who think the Taiwan gov't wouldn't know who you are if you used a foreign passport.



Cheers,
JJ

[Satellite TV]

N.B. I entered on my Canadian passport in the summer of 2004 and this time I entered with my ROC passport (which I do when I stay longer than a couple of months), and in the National Internal Affairs, where I got my exit stamp, their computers had my two passports linked. Just curious how they did that. I guess by name from the two passports. This is a caution for people who think the Taiwan gov't wouldn't know who you are if you used a foreign passport. Cheers, JJ

Many have found that out when they tried to leave and ended up being escorted to boot camp.

[ch0002]

Many have found that out when they tried to leave and ended up being escorted to boot camp.

Is this a fact or just an assumption. I plan to visit with my US passport for 2 weeks. Will I be at risk? Has there been any recent legal changes? Lets not spread any fear unduly....

[JoChang]

Well if this is true!? then the TECO Office in the UAE where I had renewed my passport made a grave mistake in my case!
I only have a Taiwanese Passport, which expires in December `11. Everyone said that I would not be able to renew my passport and they would only give me a 6 month renewal so that I would have to go back and serve. Thought to myself whats the harm in trying and went applied, 7 days later they called and i got a new Passport for another 10 years that expires May `21.

Now im going to use my limited math skills that i posses and try to calculate it. I was born in July `84, which means that provided i stay out of Taiwan until my next passport renewal, ill be exempted due to the draft age restriction of 36 which will happen to me in the year of 2020-2021 (ill be 37).

So if im correct, they TECO office just gave me a new passport and said if i can manage to stay out of the country for the next 10 years, you can be exempted! I find it hard that they would make a mistake like that. Staying out of the country relatively easy as I have no relatives in Taiwan, and my residing out of Taiwan for the next 10 years is not actually a huge hassle.