American Institute in Taiwan

How far in advance can I apply for a new passport? 

We recommend applying for a new passport within one year of your current passport's expiration date. We also recommend that you not let your passport get below 6 months remaining validity.

Does my child have to appear in person at AIT to apply for a passport?

Yes.  All applicants under 16 and those currently holding five-year passports must appear in person.  Those under 16 must appear with their parents, who will sign their DS-11 application forms in the presence of a Consular Officer. Consular Officers may also require growing photographs if the photo in the previous passport and the photo on the application do not look alike.

How long will it take to receive my new passport?

After your application is complete, it usually takes about three to four weeks to receive the new passport.  During spring and summer busy times, and after holiday closures, it can take longer.  We encourage you to plan accordingly.

How do I receive my new passport when it’s ready? 

For mail-in applications, you should send us a self-addressed envelope with NT$ 50 postage affixed.  We will use this envelope to return the passports to you using registered mail.  For in-person applications, we use a courier service which will return the passport to the address you indicate to them (1F near exit).  The courier service will call you just before delivering, will require your signature, and will collect a delivery fee of NT$ 170 in cash. 

Will I get my old passport back?

Yes, we deliver the new passport along with the old, cancelled passport.  We are careful not to cancel pages containing valid visas.  If you have valid visas in your cancelled passport, you will need to travel with the two passports for a while.  Please attach a note about this to your application when using the mail-in procedure, or point it out to our staff when applying in-person.

What if I need my current passport during the three weeks that I'm waiting for the new passport?

If you applied by mail and find that you need your current passport, please come to AIT to pick up your passport.  We do not cancel current passports until the new passport has arrived and been Quality Assured.  In this case, when your new passport arrives, you will need to come to AIT with the old passport so that we may cancel it and hand both back to you.  You cannot carry two valid passports at one time.  We are careful not to cancel pages containing valid visas.  If you have valid visas in your cancelled passport, you will need to travel with the two passports for a while.

How do I get a bank draft in U.S. dollars?

We have found that most large banks here in Taiwan can issue cashier's checks ( 美金匯票 ) payable to the American Institute in Taiwan in U.S. dollars. 

What are the fees in NT Dollars? 

The exchange rate used for collecting fees in NT$ is set by AIT and changes periodically.  The cashier at AIT can inform applicants of the NT$ fee (for in-person applications by appointment).  Mail-in applications should include a bank draft (cashier's check 美金匯票) payable to AIT in U.S. Dollars.

Can I apply for my first U.S. passport at AIT?

Yes.   Complete application form DS-11 and make an appointment.  You must bring your original Certificate of Naturalization or U.S. birth certificate to AIT.

Can I change my name in my U.S. passport?

We no longer amend passports.  If you would like to change your name in your passport, you will need to apply for a new passport with proof of your legal name change. In some instances with supporting evidence, you can apply for and receive a new passport with an “Also Known As…” endorsement on the last page of the passport.

Do I have to appear in person to add pages to my passport? 

No, we encourage you to use our mail-in procedure for this. For more information, visit the passport information page of our website.

Can I designate someone to go to AIT to request additional pages in my U.S. passport?

Yes, you may authorize someone in writing to bring your completed form DS-4085 and passport to AIT.  You also need to make an appointment. However, we encourage you to use our mail-in procedure.