I'm going back to the Motherland in less than 3 weeks. Since I'll be accompanied by some first time visitors (more on that later), I decided to peruse the online travel guides to think of some good Taiwanese sights to see. I came across entry requirements for Taiwan. Having gone there innumerable times, I knew I didn't need a visa. However, what I do need is a passport that is valid for at least 6 months. I leave on January 10th. My passport expires exactly 4 months later.
aside: it peeves me that the expiration date is May 2009 yet I can't really use my passport since most countries require the 6 month validity.
It's a crap shoot--Taiwanese immigration might be lax and wave me through. Or they could be hard asses and make me purchase a $130 landing visa (to be paid in cash, New Taiwan Dollars) and give me a difficult time in the process. No doubt this would all occur in Chinese and I would only understand about 40% of the conversation. There would probably be tears.
My other option is to get a rush renewal of my passport here on native U.S. soil, in my first language, in currency I have. Also for $130. The thing is, the process has to be initiated within 14 days of your travel date and no earlier. I have to make an appointment with the State Department office in New York, give them my documents and money, and they will miraculously produce a new passport for me before I have to leave the country. The nice man on the State Department helpline assured me that I'd be able to 1. get the appointment and 2. get my passport in time for my departure.
I am anxiously waiting until December 27th to call and make my appointment.
Passport crisis solved!
I have to say, getting a rush renewal of a passport was totally painless. The process of scheduling an appointment via telephone, showing up, waiting for your number to be called, handing in your stuff and picking up your passport 2 days later was remarkably civilized. I even remarked to the passport lady that it was so much calmer than the DMV. She laughed and said they hear that all the time.
