Yes. Under Article 48 of the Enforcement Statute for the Military Service System and Articles 2 and 4 of the Regulations Governing Exit of Draftees, male ROC citizens who have reached age 19 starting January 1 of the year following their 18th birthday through December 31 of the year they reach age 36 who have not yet fulfilled military service (draftees) must obtain exit approval before traveling abroad; short-term exits for tourism or family visits cannot exceed 4 months per trip, applied for through the Ministry of the Interior (MOI) "Draftees Online Short-Term Exit Application" system, allowing electronic clearance upon printing the approval notice. In 2026 (ROC Year 115), males born in or before 1997 (ROC 96) who have not served are draftees. Under Article 10, those returning overdue will have exit applications rejected for that calendar year and the following year.
Reminder: The Regulations Governing Exit of Draftees was amended on April 26, 2019 (108), and Article 48 of the Enforcement Statute is based on the May 13, 2020 (109) amendment (database current to Oct 22, 2026 / 115). Competent authority rests with the MOI Conscription Agency. System guidance requests applying 3 to 30 days prior to exit, Taipei Department of Compulsory Military Service advises applying within 1 month, and MOI press releases advise applying at least 3 days in advance; dates are constrained by the system. Under Military Service Act Article 16, active duty is 1 year, but exit rules remain identical.
Who Must Apply: Calculated by Calendar Year Minus Birth Year
Beitou District Office military service guidance explains that military age is calculated as "calendar year minus birth year"; all men born in the same birth cohort share the same military age, and reaching age 19 designates military draft age. The 2026 (115) cohort table is as follows:
| Birth Year Cohort | 2026 Military Age | Exit Requirement for Unserved Males |
|---|
| 1998 (ROC 97) | Age 18 (Approaching draft age) | No draftee exit permit required |
| 1997 (ROC 96) | Age 19 | Must apply for exit permit (from Jan 1, 2026 / 115) |
| 1991 to 2006 (80 to 95) | Ages 20 to 35 | Must apply for exit permit |
| 1990 (ROC 79) | Age 36 | Must apply, until December 31, 2026 (115) |
| 1989 and earlier (78) | Age 37 and older | Exempt due to military discharge age; inapplicable |
MOI notices also specify that departures before December 31 of the year reaching age 18 do not require approval; however, upon returning, subsequent exits as a draftee require permits. Under Article 16, individuals certified as exempt or prohibited from military service may present their exemption certificate directly to immigration. Military Service Act Article 16 transfers completed active-duty soldiers or military training graduates to reserve status; consult District Office military sections for specific reserve verification.
How to Apply Online for Short-Term Exit Permits
- Access the MOI "Draftees Online Short-Term Exit Application" system (service.dca.moi.gov.tw/departure), fill out details and submit.
- The system requires applying between 3 and 30 days prior to departure; applications exceeding 30 days ahead are rejected (e.g. departing May 1, 2025 / 114 allows applying from April 1, 2025).
- The system checks conscription databases automatically; if no draft restriction exists, approval is granted immediately; print or save the notification slip to clear immigration with a valid passport.
- The notice is valid for departure within the approved period, and permits multiple entries within 1 month (single entry for overseas Chinese draftees).
- Generated approval notices cannot be cancelled or altered; new submissions are permitted only starting 3 days before expiration.
- The system reminds applicants to maintain passport validity of at least 6 months. To renew passports, see Passport Application & Renewal Guide.
How the 4-month limit is counted: The system gives the example: departing January 1, 2025 (114) requires entering Taiwan on or before May 1, 2025; returning May 2 is overdue. Article 6 stipulates entry and exit deadlines are calculated from the day following departure, verified by National Immigration Agency timestamps. Those currently abroad cannot apply for re-exit or appoint proxies. For technical support, dial the 1996 MOI hotline.
Exit Durations for Various Travel Reasons
Beyond short-term tourism, Articles 4, 5, and 7 of the Regulations designate several exit categories with differing timeframes and application authorities:
| Exit Reason | Duration or Conditions | Application Authority |
|---|
| Tourism, family visits, general reasons (Art. 4-1-7) | Maximum 4 months per trip | Online application, approved by household District Office |
| Enrolled students dispatched for research, training, intern, contest | Maximum 1 year, within deferment limit; research/study capped at 2 times per degree | School submits roster via official letter to municipal/county government |
| Enrolled in domestic-foreign university joint degree programs | Maximum 2 years, approved per degree curriculum | Same as above (school applies to local government) |
| Non-students representing Taiwan in cultural/athletic events | Maximum 6 months | Apply with proof directly to household District Office |
| Overseas study enrollment | Requires foreign school admission; age caps: university 24, master 27, PhD 30 (max 33) | Apply with National Immigration Agency |
| International Olympiad gold medalist / MOE sponsored study | Per study duration; age cannot exceed 30 | Apply to municipal or county government of household registration |
Draftees studying abroad who return temporarily may apply to the National Immigration Agency with authenticated enrollment certificates to re-depart for schooling, staying in Taiwan for no more than 3 months per visit (Article 5).
Who Is Restricted from Departing and Overdue Consequences
Under Article 9 of the Regulations, draftees meeting any of the following conditions are restricted from exiting:
- Scheduled for induction into an active military cohort.
- Notified to attend conscription physical examination (lifted after completion).
- Returning overseas Chinese draftees obligated to fulfill military service.
- Subject to exit restriction under military conscription or other statutes.
Draftees under the first 3 conditions whose direct blood ascendants or spouse are critically ill or deceased may apply with authenticated documents to local governments for emergency visits capped at 30 days.
| Circumstance | Statutory Rule | Legal Clause |
|---|
| Severe illness or disaster abroad preventing timely return | Submit authenticated medical diagnosis to District Office for extension; max 2 months each | Article 8 |
| Returning after authorized deadline has passed | Exit applications rejected for current and following year (illness/death of kin excepted) | Article 10 |
| Failing to return upon expiration | District Office issues 1-month formal notice; failure to return triggers criminal prosecution | Article 13 |
| Dual nationality with Taiwan household registration | Must enter and exit on ROC passport; foreign passport holders subject to conscription restrictions | Article 14 |
Taipei City and New Taipei City Service Desks
| Service Item | Taipei City | New Taipei City |
|---|
| Military Service Authority | Taipei Department of Compulsory Military Service | New Taipei Civil Affairs Bureau "Draftee Tycoon Online" portal |
| Short-Term Exit Application | 100% online application; submit within 1 month prior to departure | Direct link to MOI online system, zero counter visit required |
| School Dispatched Travel | Official letter to city; print via MOI online inquiry system | Same as left (school applies to municipal government) |
| Inquiries & Contacts | Taipei Military Bureau (02)2365-4361; Citizen Hotline 1999 | New Taipei Government (02)2960-3456 or 1999 hotline |
Before flying, check e-Gate Automated Clearance Registration and Cash Carrying Limits and Customs Declaration.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the maximum duration for a draftee's overseas trip?
Short-term exits for tourism or visits cannot exceed 4 months per trip; departing January 1 requires entering by May 1; returning May 2 is overdue. Students dispatched for research may stay up to 1 year, and athletic competitors up to 6 months.
How far in advance must draftees apply for exit permits?
The online system requires applying between 3 and 30 days prior to exit; departures over 30 days ahead cannot be selected. Approvals are instant if no military restriction exists; notices permit multiple exits within 1 month.
Who needs to apply for exit permits in 2026?
In 2026 (115), males aged 19 to 36 who have not served, born between 1990 and 1997 (ROC 79 to 96), must apply. Males born in 1998 (97) remain age 18 in 2026 and do not need draftee exit approval.
What happens if a draftee returns overdue?
Under Article 10, exit applications are banned for the current and following calendar years, except for critical illness or death of kin (capped at 30 days). Unreturned draftees face formal 1-month notices and prosecution under the Act for Punishment of Offenses Against Military Service.
Can a draftee travel abroad if drafted or awaiting physical exam?
Those scheduled for an induction cohort are restricted from exit, and online applications are blocked; those notified for draft physicals are likewise barred until physicals are completed (Article 9). Others may apply normally for trips up to 4 months.
Last updated: 2026-11-03
Compiled by SOSfix from official open data for general reference; consult District Office military sections, Taipei Military Service Bureau, or New Taipei Civil Affairs Bureau for specific cases.
Sources
- Laws & Regulations Database: Regulations Governing Exit of Draftees (Amended Apr 26, 2019 / ROC 108, verified 2026-11-02): Article 2 draftee definition, Article 4 duration limits, Article 5 schooling, Article 6 deadlines, Article 7 authority, Article 8 extensions, Article 9 bans, Article 10 overdue bans, Article 13 1-month notice, Article 14 dual citizenship, Article 16 exemptions.
- Laws & Regulations Database: Enforcement Statute for the Military Service System (Amended May 13, 2020 / ROC 109, verified 2026-11-02): Article 48 exit approval requirements and durations.
- Laws & Regulations Database: Military Service Act (Amended May 3, 2023 / ROC 112, verified 2026-11-02): Article 3 draft age definition, Article 16 active service 1 year and reserve transition.
- MOI Conscription Agency: Draftees Online Short-Term Exit Application Guide (Verified 2026-11-02): Eligibility, 3-30 day application window, 1-month multiple entry notices, 4-month rule, hotline 1996.
- Ministry of the Interior: Cohort 94 Draftee Exit Regulations Flyer (NIA, Year 113 / 2024, downloaded 2026-11-02): Pre-draft age rules before Dec 31 of age 18, 3-day notice, MOI Conscription Agency.
- Taipei Department of Compulsory Military Service: Tourism FAQ (Updated Apr 18, 2025 / ROC 114, verified 2026-11-02): Taipei eligibility, 1-month online window, notice validity, 1999 hotline.
- Taipei Beitou District Office: Draftee Travel FAQ (Verified 2026-11-02): Military age calculation, 1997 / 96 cohort example, exemption clearance, induction restriction.
- New Taipei Draftee Tycoon Online: Exit Guidelines (Verified 2026-11-02): New Taipei online exit procedures and school recommendations.
- New Taipei City Regulations Portal Footer (Verified 2026-11-02): New Taipei switchboard 1999 and (02)2960-3456.
