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進入《TAIPEI TIMES》Passport office opens new processing site
People wait to apply for passports at the Bureau of Consular Affairs in Taipei on Feb. 18. Photo: Liu Hsin-de, Taipei Times
SIX MORE MONTHS: About 3 million passports expired during three years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, with only 1 million since being renewed, a consular affairs official said
By Liu Tzu-hsuan / Staff reporter
A new venue to process passport applications for those who make appointments online is set to open on Monday, Bureau of Consular Affairs Director-General Calvin Ho （何震寰） told a news conference yesterday.
The site has been established at the auditorium of the Bureau of Standards, Metrology and Inspection in Taipei, next to the consular affairs office, Ho said.
The venue has been designated to handle applications for those who do not already have appointments.
Consular bureau staff are to be available at the site’s entrances to guide applicants to the auditorium, Ho said, adding that the number of applications remains beyond normal capacity.
About 12 counters staffed by additional employees are to handle up to 1,500 daily appointments scheduled online, which could be increased later if demand requires, he said.
About 3 million passports expired during three years of COVID-19 travel restrictions, Ho said, adding that an estimated 1 million were renewed.
The high demand is likely to continue for another six months, he added.
The bureau’s offices in Taipei, Taichung, Chiayi City, Kaohsiung and Hualien County have been handling 15,000 passport applications daily, he said.
The Taichung office has a particularly long wait time, and additional counters are to be in place as of Monday, Ho said, adding that the outdoor waiting area has been moved inside.
First-time applicants can apply at household registration offices nationwide, while others can book an appointment online 60 days in advance.
Passport processing currently takes about 10 days.
新聞來源：TAIPEI TIMES
