BEIJING -- The Chinese mainland will begin issuing electronic travel passes to Taiwan visitors from Sept. 21, replacing the current paper versions.

Taiwan residents can apply to the mainland's public security department above the county level to convert their passes to basic computer readable cards, the ministry said in a statement.

Current travel passes can continue to be used by travelers from the island within the term of validity, it added.

The mainland simplified entry rules for Taiwan residents in July. Under the revised regulation, they just need a travel pass to enter the mainland, instead of applying for an entry permit for every visit.

The electronic travel pass is the mainland's latest move to make it easier to visit by increasing the efficiency of card issuance and checkup, the ministry said.

The use of electronic travel passes has been piloted in Fujian Province since July 6, with 204,000 e-cards issued so far.