OCAC.R.O.C.(TAIWAN) – 1. I have never applied for an Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement.

(7) I only met the three conditions — "obtaining permanent residence in the overseas residence (or holding legal residence there for four consecutive years and being eligible to extend the residence)," "accumulated residence abroad for at least four years," and "continuous residence in the overseas residence for six months or at least eight months per year in each of the most recent two years" — at age 25. However, I returned to the R.O.C. (Taiwan) at age 21 due to the death of an immediate family member. Does this qualify as a special circumstance?

2025/11/19

（1）According to Articles 4 and 5 of the Regulations Governing Application for Overseas Compatriot Identity Endorsement by Males Who Have Not Completed Compulsory Military Service of Conscription Age or Near Conscription Age, a male who has not yet fulfilled his military service obligations and who departed from the R.O.C. (Taiwan) on or before December 31 of the year he turned 15, and who meets the following three conditions —
(a)Has obtained permanent residence in the place of overseas residence (or has held legal residence there for four (4) consecutive years and is eligible to extend the residence);
(b)Has accumulated residence abroad for four (4) years; and
(c)Has resided continuously in the place of overseas residence for six (6) months, or has resided there for at least eight (8) months per year in each of the most recent two (2) years
— may return to the R.O.C. (Taiwan) within one month to attend a funeral of or visit a critically ill immediate relative or spouse, or to handle matters arising from natural disasters or other force majeure circumstances. Whether the situation qualifies as a "special circumstance" shall be determined by the Ministry of the Interior.
（2）The applicant may submit relevant supporting documents and a signed written statement, which will be forwarded by the Overseas Community Affairs Council (OCAC) to the Ministry of the Interior for determination of whether it constitutes a "special circumstance".