Taiwan immigration revokes color printing rule for entry permits following complaints

The Taiwan National Immigration Agency recently revoked the mandatory color printing requirement for entry permits issued to Hong Kong and Macau residents.

The policy, which had been implemented for just over a month, was rescinded on April 24 following complaints about visitor inconvenience.

Hong Kong or Macau passport holders are eligible to apply for online entry permits. These permits allow stays in Taiwan of up to 30 days and are primarily used for tourism purposes.

Previously, applicants could print their entry permits in either black and white or color. However, the agency introduced a new policy one month ago requiring color printing exclusively.

This change prompted significant backlash when some airlines refused to accept black-and-white printed permits, creating travel disruptions.

The agency explained that the color printing requirement aimed to highlight important traveler reminders, particularly regarding Taiwan's prohibition on meat product imports.

Following numerous complaints about the policy's impracticality, the agency reversed the color printing mandate.

Under revised guidelines, entry permits may now be printed in either black and white or color. The agency maintains that permits must be printed on blank A4 white paper, explicitly prohibiting the use of recycled paper.