Can a Son of Conscription Age Depart When Immigrating? A Comprehensive Look at Departure Restrictions for Male Nationals of Conscription Age, Regulations for Studying Abroad and Overseas Compatriots

Direct answer: Departure is possible, but subject to regulations. Male nationals of conscription age who have established household registration in Taiwan, are from January 1 of the year following their 18th birthday to December 31 of the year they turn 36, and have not yet served, must obtain approval for departure. For general reasons such as tourism, each trip may not exceed 4 months, and long-term residence abroad cannot be achieved through general departure. If accompanying family members for immigration or long-term residence abroad, there are specific regulations and stay duration limits for 'overseas compatriot male nationals of conscription age' and 'male nationals of conscription age studying abroad.' The following is organized based on the National Conscription Agency and the Regulations on the Handling of Departures of Male Nationals of Conscription Age; individual cases are subject to the latest regulations of the competent authorities.

Who Is Subject to Restrictions and Until What Age: Definition of Male Nationals of Conscription Age and Decommission

Pursuant to Article 2 of the Regulations on the Handling of Departures of Male Nationals of Conscription Age, the departure restrictions apply to male nationals of conscription age who have previously established household registration in Taiwan and have not yet fulfilled their military service obligations, from January 1 of the year following their 18th birthday until December 31 of the year they turn 36. That is, once a son enters this age range and has not completed military service, his departure requires an application and approval process until the end of the year he turns 36, when he is decommissioned. Departure rules for those approaching conscription age (younger) are more lenient, but it is also advisable to confirm their status.

Source.：Laws & Regulations Database of the Republic of China — Regulations on the Handling of Departures of Male Nationals of Conscription Age

General Departure (Tourism, Visiting Relatives): Maximum 4 Months per Trip

For male nationals of conscription age applying for departure for 'general reasons' such as tourism or visiting relatives, pursuant to Article 4 of the Regulations, those approved for departure for reasons other than the first six categories may not stay abroad for more than 4 months per trip. This means that male nationals of conscription age cannot rely on general departure to reside abroad long-term—they must return to Taiwan when the period expires. Overstaying may result in penalties and affect future departure approvals. Currently, short-term departure applications for male nationals of conscription age can generally be processed through the 'Online Application System for Short-Term Departure of Male Nationals of Conscription Age.'

Source.：National Conscription Agency, Ministry of the Interior

Accompanying Family for Immigration, Long-Term Residence Abroad: Overseas Compatriot Male Nationals of Conscription Age and Male Nationals of Conscription Age Studying Abroad

If the child departed Taiwan before conscription age or has long resided abroad with parents as an overseas compatriot, the 'overseas compatriot male national of conscription age' regulations may apply: documents must be prepared on the designated review platform, then a departure permit must be applied for from the National Immigration Agency, and the stay duration in Taiwan is limited (if staying in Taiwan for too long, he may be deemed obligated to fulfill military service). Alternatively, there is the 'male national of conscription age studying abroad' route: pursuant to Article 5, those who departed before conscription age or were approved to study abroad may not stay in Taiwan for more than 3 months per visit upon return. Which category applies to the child and what documents are required vary by individual case and should be confirmed with the National Immigration Agency and the National Conscription Agency.

Source.：National Immigration Agency, Ministry of the Interior — Departure Application for Overseas Compatriot Male Nationals of Conscription Age / Male Nationals of Conscription Age Studying Abroad

Confirm Before Planning Immigration: Military Service Is a Factor Affecting the Family Timeline

Military service obligations do not automatically disappear because parents emigrate or the child acquires foreign nationality (see also our article 'Does Investment Citizenship Require Renouncing Taiwan Nationality?'). When planning a family relocation, if there is a son of conscription age or approaching conscription age, it is advisable to: ① confirm the child's current military service status and whether he has been registered; ② understand the conditions and stay restrictions applicable to overseas compatriot male nationals of conscription age or those studying abroad; ③ confirm the specific case with the local household registration office or the National Conscription Agency. Coordinating the military service timeline with the immigration and study timeline is essential to avoid unexpected obstacles. The regulations are detailed and subject to change; always refer to the latest announcements from the National Conscription Agency and the local household registration office.

This page is a neutral information compilation, for reference only, notImmigration/LawAdvice, which does not constitute any commitment. Programs frequently change, please refer to the latest official announcements.　·　Last Updated：2026-07-17