An “i Compatriot Card” offering expatriates discounts on goods and travel in Taiwan was on Tuesday promoted by the Overseas Community Affairs Council.
The card, which was launched last year, replaced the council’s Overseas Compatriot Card, it said.
The digital version makes it easier for expatriates traveling home to get discounts, as it can be accessed from a cellphone, eliminating the need to carry a physical card, the council said.
Photo courtesy of the Overseas Community Affairs Council
“We want to offer the best services possible for expatriates buying flight tickets, and booking airport transit and hotel accommodation in Taiwan when they are abroad,” council minister Hsu Chia-ching (徐佳青) said.
Participating domestic airline operators, duty-free shops and hotels were invited to the conference to present their discounts offered through the program.
“We’ve seen a growing number of people apply for the digital card over the past year. In the future we aim to add more types of services to the program,” Hsu said.
“For example, we could see medical services and beauty salon treatments added,” Hsu said.
The program has also expanded to include businesses in other countries, he said, adding that there are nearly 4,000 participating businesses in total.
Making the card digital seems to resonate with younger expatriates who are used to having access to everything in their phones, Overseas Chinese Affairs Advisory Committee member Yang Hsin (楊信) said.
English-speaking expatriates can apply for the card online at: icard.taiwan-world.net/eng/register.
Applicants are asked fill out their personal details including English-language and Chinese-language names, birth date and contact information, and include scans of their passport and Taiwanese residency document from their country of residence.
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