Dual Citizen - Visiting Taiwan With US Passport for 2 weeks

[ch0002]

- I currently hold a valid Taiwan Passport (10yr).
- I have lived in the US for over 16 yrs and became a US citizen earlier this year.
- Last time I visited Taiwan was 14 yrs ago
- I have recently been denied for Overseas Chinese Status - because in 1996 I visited Taiwan for a week, when I was 22 yrs old Plus the fact that I was not an US permanent resident/citizen at that time.( According to TECO - these 2 events evidently FOREVER disqualifies me to get Overseas Chinese status)

I plan to visit Taiwan this August, for 2 weeks, with my US passport. (I turned 36 in June 2010 - and am aware of the Dec 31 timeline)
Has anyone, or does anyone know of individuals being excorted to serve the Taiwan military while entering and leaving with their US passport - even for a short term visit?

Will I be simply treated as an US Citizen since I came in with a US passport? or should I wait till Next yr past Dec 31 to visit Taiwan?

I realize that there are similar postings, but wanted to check for more recent events / change in laws etc.,

Thanks in advance for any thoughts and replies

[tommy525]

FAIK, Taiwan can choose to treat you as a citizen while you are in Taiwan on a US passport (because you ARE a ROC citizen as well you said). Therefore they could, if they wanted to, draft you if you are still of drafting age. NOt saying they will but they COULD.

[ch0002]

FAIK, Taiwan can choose to treat you as a citizen while you are in Taiwan on a US passport (because you ARE a ROC citizen as well you said). Therefore they could, if they wanted to, draft you if you are still of drafting age. NOt saying they will but they COULD.

Thanks for the reply. That they "COULD" is defintely my concern. So my question remains as to who/how many has really been detained...

I would hate to risk my family, career, house, etc., just for a 2 weeks visit


I must also add that this forum provides an invaluable service

[tommy525]

Dont do it then. Although chances are probably greater then 99pct they will not draft you. They have no need for you and wouldnt know what to do with you anyway. You are pretty safe. But theres always a chance. Thems the dice you gotta roll.

( I think the chances of you getting drafted for a 2 week visit when you are almost done with being 36 years old is much less then your chances of winning big at LOTTO but then motorcycles have been hit by cows...so..dont call me if they take you away.....)

[bismarck]

You shouldn't be at risk on a two week visit. I work with a guy who has a Taiwanese passport and South African citizenship. He's 33 years old and he's been back for about seven years to look after his ailing father. He leaves every month and returns on his SA passport. So far, he hasn't been conscripted. You should be fine.
He also doesn't have an ID card as yet, and will only apply for it once conscription is crapped or when he turns 37.

I don't see any problem with you coming for a two week visit. As long as it's only a two week visit and doesn't turn into a longer affair, in which case you may be at risk of conscription.

[engerim]

Just make sure you don't arrive on your US passport and leave on your Taiwan passport

[Satellite TV]

Just make sure you don't arrive on your US passport and leave on your Taiwan passport

Can't do that anyways.

[ch0002]

You shouldn't be at risk on a two week visit. I work with a guy who has a Taiwanese passport and South African citizenship. He's 33 years old and he's been back for about seven years to look after his ailing father. He leaves every month and returns on his SA passport. So far, he hasn't been conscripted. You should be fine.
He also doesn't have an ID card as yet, and will only apply for it once conscription is crapped or when he turns 37.

I don't see any problem with you coming for a two week visit. As long as it's only a two week visit and doesn't turn into a longer affair, in which case you may be at risk of conscription.

Thanks for sharing the above info. Thats is somewhat assuring. My situation differ slightly, in that I apparantly do have an ID - meaning that when I was younger my Dad register me in the Hukou.

When was the last time your friend came for such a visit. Was it recent?

The reason I ask is that TECO mentioned and confirmed that recently there has been a case of an individual with an (entered with) US passport that was prevented to leave Taiwan, and had to serve the army. TECO mentione dthat this has recently gotten alot of people nervous - me included. When asked, TECo sayes that each case varies slightly, and there are not sure of the individual's circumstance triggering it...

[engerim]

Just make sure you don't arrive on your US passport and leave on your Taiwan passport

Can't do that anyways.

Why not? If the destination country is i.e. Japan?

[ch0002]

It still sounds like no one personally, or know of someone, who travelled into Taiwan using a US passport and has been detained...

Promising, but not entirely assuring....