Visa guides ・ Mainland China ・ Updated 2026

Taiwan Compatriot Permit 2026: fees, processing time, and can you go to mainland China without one?

The Taiwan Compatriot Permit (Mainland Travel Permit for Taiwan Residents, MTP) is the document Taiwanese need to enter mainland China, and it's also the ID used for hotels, transport and buying high-speed rail tickets. This post covers the latest 2026 fees, processing times and first-timer fee waiver, plus the full answer to "can you go to mainland China without one?"

What do you need for a Taiwan Compatriot Permit?

• Original passport: valid for at least 6 months from your planned entry date.
• Copy of both sides of your national ID card: the place-of-birth field must not be blank, and the place of birth must match on your ID card and passport.
• Original old permit: not needed if it has already expired.
• One 2-inch photo with a white background: taken within the last six months, in color; faxed or re-photographed copies are not accepted:
  • The head (top of head to chin) must measure 3.2–3.6 cm, with clear facial features.
  • Hair tucked behind the ears, with ears and eyebrows visible; no teeth showing.
  • Shoulders and shoulder line visible; don't wear white clothes.
  • No glasses or jewelry; no circle lenses or colored contacts.
  • Both the person and the background must be clear, neither too dark nor too light.
• Special cases: minors, people who have changed their name, those born abroad, former mainland nationals, etc. need additional documents; please check with us first.

Where do you apply, and why do you need an agency?

Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs can issue your passport, but cannot issue a Taiwan Compatriot Permit. The permit is reviewed by the relevant Chinese authorities, and no official body in Taiwan can accept and issue it directly, so there are only two ways:

1. Use a travel agency (most common; urgent processing and door-to-door pickup available).
2. Go to Hong Kong or Macau yourself and apply through a local China Travel Service.

What is the 2026 "first-timer" fee waiver?

From July 1, 2025 to December 31, 2027, first-time applicants for the 5-year card permit pay no mainland government (document) fee; if you use a travel agency, you still pay a service fee (from NT$600).

A "first-timer" is someone who has never applied for a Taiwan Compatriot Permit (including one-time landing permits and Mini Three Links permits) and has never entered China on a landing permit. If that's you, now is a good time to save on the fee.

Can you go to mainland China without a Taiwan Compatriot Permit?

Yes, but the process is more cumbersome and there are risks. Taiwan residents without a permit can apply for a temporary permit (landing permit) at certain ports of entry.

Applying for a landing permit at the airport is not guaranteed to succeed: if the police are difficult or the application fails, your trip is affected; one-time permits also take longer to review at different locations, and some ports have extra conditions.

Documents for a temporary permit

1. Two 2-inch front-facing photos.
2. Your national ID card (original) and passport (if you have no ID card, a household registration transcript instead).
3. A fee of about RMB 50–100.
4. Proof of emergency, depending on the situation.

Opening hours for "Taiwan Compatriot landing permit" counters vary by airport and port, so check with your airline or the airport / port before departure that you can apply on arrival. A temporary permit is generally valid for one entry and about three months; if you already have a valid permit, or one under review, you cannot apply for a temporary permit.

Some airports that issue temporary permits

Beijing Capital, Shanghai Pudong, Guangzhou Baiyun, Shenzhen Bao'an, Xi'an Xianyang, Kunming Changshui, Hangzhou Xiaoshan, Xiamen Gaoqi and other international airports. Please confirm with your destination airport before departure that it offers this service.

Taiwan Compatriot Permit: FAQ

How long does it take to get a Taiwan Compatriot Permit?

Standard about 9 business days, urgent about 6 business days; renewals also have a super urgent option of about 4 days. Keep your departure date in mind and apply as early as possible.

Can I apply if my passport has less than six months left?

6 months or more of passport validity is recommended. If it's not enough, renew your passport first and then apply for the permit, and plan the time for both.

What if my permit has expired?

You need to apply again (renewal); the process and processing time are similar to a new application, and urgent processing is available.

I'm a first-timer. Is it cheaper to just fly there and get a landing permit?

Not recommended. Once you've entered on a landing permit, you're no longer a first-timer and lose the fee waiver; and the landing permit itself can be refused. Getting a 5-year card permit during the offer period is better value.

See iTour's Taiwan Compatriot Permit service

Further reading: Vietnam e-Visa 2026 ・ US ESTA 2026

This post is adapted from an iTour Pixnet article and updated with the latest 2026 information (first-timer fee waiver, processing times and fees).