The biometric card that functions as a de facto ID in mainland China
In short: For Taiwan residents traveling to mainland China, a single biometric card bridges a complex political divide. Beyond mere travel, this document serves as a vital identification tool for banking, medical treatment, and employment, effectively navigating the unique status where neither side recognizes the other's passports.
Issued by the People's Republic of China, the Taiwan Compatriot Permit (or Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resident) is a biometric identification card. Because of the special political status between the PRC and the ROC, neither side recognizes the other's passports, and travel between them is not considered formal international travel. This unique status necessitated a specialized document that facilitates movement across the Taiwan Strait.
Since 2017, the permit has allowed Taiwan residents to stay in mainland China indefinitely for any purpose, including work or study, without restrictions. This follows a significant policy shift in July 2015, when the abolition of entry endorsements and stay restrictions was announced during the 7th Straits Forum in Xiamen, Fujian. Prior to this, travelers often needed to apply for specific endorsements for multi-entry stays.
The permit has evolved from a passport-style booklet to an ICAO-compliant biometric card. These modern cards feature a contactless integrated circuit chip with advanced digital security and anti-counterfeiting technologies. While the card is primarily for travel, it acts as a de facto ID for ROC nationals in mainland China, accepted for essential services like real estate transactions, banking, and medical care.
The permit's usage has become so integral to long-term settlement that the Taiwan Affairs Office announced in 2008 that a person's serial number would remain unchanged for their lifetime. While the permit was the primary ID for residents in mainland China for years, a separate Residence Permit for Taiwan Residents was introduced in September 2018.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Resident
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