The new process differs from the current one in two significant ways: First, it reduces the number of types of visas from eight (diplomatic, official, transit, tourist, student, commercial, entry, and special visas) to four (diplomatic, temporary stay, residence, and special visas).
新修訂的「外國護照簽證辦法」，與現行辦法最大不同點有二：﹘﹘簡化簽證種類，將原有外交、公務、禮遇、過境、觀光、商務、入境、學生等八種，歸併為外交、禮遇、停留、居留等四種簽證。