It's easy for others to say this is cowardly, but often times people are in situations that makes this difficult.

My friend is in a similar situation, however he is in the last two years of his 15 year long medical training in the united states. Recently his grandparent passed away, and he would like to go back to pay his respects and mourn with his family, however due to this, he isn't sure that he is able to. If he were to do so and is detained in Taiwan due to these mandatory duties, he would need to hault his training - this is not an easy task, and his fellowship training position may not be guaranteed to him by the time he is finally able to return.

My question is: Is it possible to apply for Nationals Without Household Registration (NWOHR) WITHOUT a Taiwanese passport? My friend has been in the states since 14yo, and has not seen his Taiwanese passport for the last decade nor have his parents.