[ROC Passport] Question on Passport Number's Prefix

[gam1971]

Hello,

I recently renewed my ROC passport at TECO Chicago. My new passport number starts with "1" while my old passport number (also issued by TECO Chicago) starts with "X". I know from reading the postings that the passport prefix "X" standards for Overseas Chinese. Does anybody know what "1" stands for? Is the prefix "1" the same as "X"?

Your replies are appreciated.

[Hartzell]

The important issue is "Household Registration in the Taiwan area." This is the distinguishing feature.

If you have the Household Registration, you will have an ID card number. My wife is a Taiwan citizen, and her ID card number is also clearly indicated on her ROC passport.

On the other hand, in the case of overseas Chinese, there will be no ID card number listed.

Note: In regard to the "X" prefix, I believe they stopped using that some years back.

[coolingtower]

Rich,

A few years ago when my ARC was updated by my local police station, they wrote on the back a longer version of my ARC number. It was oritinally D000XXX, and became DC0000XXXX (adding a C0 and a trailing digit). I am aware of the ABCDs of different cities and hsiens, but do you know what the "C" means?

I'm curious, because I've now become a citizen of the ROC and I've been issued a new card (for one year before I get my "real" ID card) called roughly: "ROC Taiwan area residence card". It doesn't say "wai chiao" on it like most ARCs do.

My new number for this card is DA0000XXXX. I know that the "D" refers to Tainan City, but could the "C" becoming an "A": possibly refer to the "Type 1" and "Type 2" (and perhaps 3) types of citizenships you had outlined elsewhere on this site? I'm curious about this.

Thanks,

coolingtower

[Satellite TV]

I'm curious, because I've now become a citizen of the ROC and I've been issued a new card (for one year before I get my "real" ID card) called roughly: "ROC Taiwan area residence card". It doesn't say "wai chiao" on it like most ARCs do.

Your not quite a citizen. You'll need another medical and some more processing. Read the back pages. If you make a trip out of Taiwan you'll have to wait even longer for your ID Card.


My new number for this card is DA0000XXXX. I know that the "D" refers to Tainan City, but could the "C" becoming an "A": possibly refer to the "Type 1" and "Type 2" (and perhaps 3) types of citizenships you had outlined elsewhere on this site? I'm curious about this.

A is Taipei B is Taichung C is Kaohsiung Q is Pingdong... You get a number for life from where your ID card is first issued.

[TantricTash]

The second letter on the residential permits, be it ARC or "Taiwan area residential permit", stands for your sex.
A: male
B: Female
C: male
D: Female

The difference is the issuing authority. If it is A/B, that means your residential permit is issued by the Immigration Department of the Ministry of Interior, and such permits are called "Residential Permit for Taiwan Area of ROC", and this permit may lead you to full ID card later on once you complete the residential requirements. (You need not go through the naturalisation process because you are already deemed to be ROC national, but only without household registration. So once you fullfill the requirements for household registration, you get a full ID card.)
If it is C/D, the residential permit is issued by the Local Police Authority and such permits are called "ARC", and this is issued to most of the foreigners residing in Taiwan. ARC will lead you to APRC once you complete the requirements, but will NOT lead you to full ROC citizenship UNLESS you go through the process of naturalisation. And after naturalisation, your ARC will the changed to the above mentioned "Residential Permit for Taiwan Area of ROC" and C/D would automatically be changed to A/B, and once you complete your residential requirements, you get a full ID.