December earmarked for Taiwan ePassports

 

Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has confirmed it will issue ePassports from 29 December 2009.

An estimated eight million Taiwanese passengers could eventually be using the new travel documents, which will initially be available for the same fee as current passports, and will remain valid for 10 years.

The appearance of the ePassports will remain the same, apart from the addition of the ePassport symbol on the cover and themes from Taiwan’s tourist attractions, landmarks and icons on the inside pages.

Local sources report that ministry officials estimate the cost of the whole project at more than NT$60 million, with more than 1.3 million ePassports expected to be issued before the end of 2009.