The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is a free, mandatory online form that all foreign visitors must submit within 7 days before arriving in Taiwan. The application takes about 5 minutes through the official portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw and requires your passport, flight, and accommodation details. This guide walks you through every field, common mistakes to avoid, and what happens after submission.
What Is the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)?
The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is a free digital immigration form managed by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) that replaced the traditional paper arrival card. Introduced to streamline the entry process, the TWAC collects essential traveler information before arrival so that immigration officers can process visitors more efficiently.
The TWAC is not a visa. It is a separate arrival registration document. Even travelers who are visa-exempt must complete the TWAC before entering Taiwan. The form is entirely free – there is no charge for submission.
Since October 1, 2025, the online TWAC has been mandatory for all foreign nationals. Paper arrival cards are no longer accepted at Taiwanese airports. The NIA made this transition to reduce paperwork, speed up immigration queues, and support environmental sustainability.
The TWAC portal is available in 7 languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai. This makes the application accessible to travelers from across Asia and beyond.
TWAC vs Visa: Key Differences
The Taiwan Arrival Card and a Taiwan visa serve completely different purposes. A visa is a travel authorization that grants you permission to enter Taiwan, while the TWAC is simply an arrival registration that records your travel details.
Travelers from visa-exempt countries – including citizens of the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most European nations – can enter Taiwan without a visa for short stays. However, these visa-exempt travelers must still submit the TWAC. Think of it as a digital landing card rather than a travel permit.
If you already hold a valid Taiwan visa, you still need to complete the TWAC. The two documents are independent requirements.
Who Needs to Submit the Taiwan Arrival Card?
The Taiwan Arrival Card must be submitted by all foreign nationals entering Taiwan who do not hold specific residency documents. According to the NIA and Taiwan’s overseas offices, the following categories of travelers must complete the TWAC:
- Foreign nationals without an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), Resident Visa, or Diplomatic ID card
- Mainland China passport holders with Multiple Entry and Exit Permits for travel purposes
- Hong Kong and Macau residents holding Multiple Entry and Exit Permits
- Nationals without household registration in Taiwan who do not possess residence certificates
In practice, this means virtually every tourist, business traveler, and short-term visitor must submit the form. The TWAC requirement applies regardless of how you enter Taiwan – by air or by sea.
Exemptions and Special Cases
Certain travelers are exempt from the TWAC requirement:
- Holders of an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) do not need to submit the TWAC
- Travelers with a Resident Visa are exempt
- Foreign nationals holding a Diplomatic ID card are exempt
- Transit passengers who do not pass through immigration do not need a TWAC
Children and infants are not automatically exempt. Each traveler, regardless of age, requires their own TWAC submission. Parents or guardians can complete the form on behalf of children.
How to Apply for the Taiwan Arrival Card Online
The TWAC application is a 5-step process completed entirely online at twac.immigration.gov.tw. The entire process takes approximately 5 minutes if you have your documents ready.
Step 1: Email Verification
Visit twac.immigration.gov.tw and click “Submit Arrival Card.” The first step requires you to enter a valid email address. The system sends a verification code to your inbox. Enter the code on the portal to proceed. This email will also receive your confirmation and QR code after submission, so use an address you can access during travel.
Step 2: Traveler Information
Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport:
- Full name (first name, middle name if applicable, last name)
- Passport number
- Nationality
- Date of birth
- Gender
The TWAC portal offers a passport biographical page auto-upload feature. You can take a photo or upload a scan of your passport’s main page, and the system will automatically fill in your personal information. This reduces typing errors and speeds up the process significantly.
Step 3: Itinerary Details
Provide your travel information:
- Flight number (e.g., CI 101, BR 257)
- Arrival date
- Accommodation name and address in Taiwan (hotel, hostel, or residential address)
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, visiting family, transit, etc.)
If you are staying at multiple locations, enter the first accommodation where you will spend the night.
Step 4: Review Your Application
The portal displays all entered information for review. Check every field carefully before proceeding. Common errors to watch for:
- Passport name does not match exactly (including middle names)
- Flight number has a typo or wrong format
- Accommodation address is incomplete or misspelled
- Date of birth is in the wrong format
Step 5: Confirmation and QR Code
After submitting, the system processes your application immediately. You receive a confirmation email containing a QR code. Save this email or take a screenshot of the QR code. Immigration officers at the Taiwanese airport will scan this code when you arrive.
The QR code is valid for the specific arrival date you selected. If your travel plans change, you can update your TWAC through the portal.
Required Documents and Information
The Taiwan Arrival Card application does not require uploading physical documents. However, you need the following information readily available:
Personal Information:
- Full legal name (as printed on passport)
- Passport number and expiration date
- Nationality and date of birth
- Gender
Travel Information:
- Airline name and flight number
- Arrival date at a Taiwanese airport
- Purpose of visit
Accommodation Information:
- Name of hotel, hostel, or residential address
- Full address in Taiwan (city, district, street, number)
Contact Information:
- Valid email address (for verification and confirmation)
Having your passport and booking confirmation in front of you makes the process faster. If you use the passport auto-upload feature, ensure the photo is clear and the text is readable.
When to Apply: Timing and Validity Window
The TWAC portal opens 7 days before your arrival date. You must submit the form between this window and your arrival day. The official TWAC portal states: “Complete and submit within 7 days before arrival.”
Some sources mention a 72-hour (3-day) window. This was the original timeframe when the system launched. The NIA has since extended the window to 7 days. Always check the official portal for the most current timeframe.
Key timing rules:
- Earliest: 7 days before your arrival date
- Latest: Before you board your flight (recommended) or before passing through immigration in Taiwan
- Validity: The TWAC is valid only for the specific arrival date you select
Apply early. Submitting your TWAC as soon as the window opens gives you time to correct any errors. Last-minute submissions create unnecessary stress, especially if you encounter technical issues with the portal.
If your flight is rescheduled or your arrival date changes, you can update your existing TWAC through the portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw/update rather than submitting a new one.
After Submission: What to Expect
After submitting the Taiwan Arrival Card, you receive a confirmation email within minutes. This email contains:
- A QR code – the most important element
- A summary of your submitted information
- Your arrival date and flight details
At the Taiwanese airport, proceed to the immigration counter. The officer will scan your QR code. The entire immigration process takes less than 2 minutes when your TWAC is properly submitted. Without it, you may face delays or need to complete a paper form on arrival (though paper forms are being phased out).
Save your QR code in multiple ways:
- Keep the confirmation email accessible on your phone
- Take a screenshot of the QR code
- Print a paper copy as a backup
If you lose your confirmation email, you can retrieve your TWAC through the portal’s update function using your passport number and email address.
Common Mistakes and Troubleshooting
The Taiwan Arrival Card application is straightforward, but travelers commonly make these errors:
Name Mismatch: Your name on the TWAC must match your passport exactly. Include middle names if they appear on your passport. Do not use nicknames or shortened versions.
Wrong Flight Number: Double-check your flight number format. Use the airline code followed by the number (e.g., “CI 101” not “China Airlines 101”). If you have a connecting flight, enter the final flight arriving in Taiwan.
Incomplete Accommodation Address: Enter the full address including city, district, and street name. “Taipei hotel” is not sufficient. Use the exact name and address from your booking confirmation.
Email Not Received: Check your spam or junk folder. The confirmation email comes from the NIA system. If you still cannot find it, try submitting again with a different email address.
Portal Not Working: The TWAC portal occasionally experiences downtime for maintenance. If the site is unresponsive, try again in a few hours. Use a modern browser (Chrome, Firefox, or Edge) and ensure JavaScript is enabled.
Date Format Error: The portal uses a specific date format. Follow the on-screen format instructions carefully to avoid errors.
If you encounter persistent issues, contact the NIA directly through their official website at immigration.gov.tw.
