Every child entering Taiwan needs their own arrival card. Parents and guardians can complete the Taiwan arrival card for children online through the TWAC portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw.
Do Children Need a Taiwan Arrival Card?
Yes, every child entering Taiwan needs a separate Taiwan arrival card, regardless of age. This includes newborns and infants who are listed on a parent’s passport. Each child must have their own application submitted through the TWAC portal.
Key rules for children’s arrival cards:
- Every child needs their own card – Even newborns and infants
- Separate application per child – Each child requires an individual submission
- Same portal – Use twac.immigration.gov.tw for each child’s application
- Same process – The form is identical to the adult version
- Free of charge – Children’s arrival cards are completely free
Children who hold their own passport will have their arrival card linked to that passport number. Children listed on a parent’s passport will have their card linked to the parent’s passport with the child’s details noted.
How to Apply for a Child’s Arrival Card
Parents or guardians complete the Taiwan arrival card on behalf of their children using the same TWAC portal. The form requires the child’s passport information, travel details, and accommodation address in Taiwan.
Step-by-step process for children’s applications:
- Visit twac.immigration.gov.tw
- Select “New Application” for each child individually
- Enter the child’s passport details – Full name as it appears on the passport, passport number, nationality, date of birth
- Enter travel information – Flight number, arrival date, airline
- Enter Taiwan accommodation – The same address where the family is staying
- Enter parent/guardian email – Use the same email for all family applications
- Review and submit – Double-check all details match the child’s passport
- Receive QR codes – Each child gets their own QR code by email
Important: You must complete a separate application for each child. There is no “family application” option on the TWAC portal. If you have 3 children, you submit 4 total applications (1 adult + 3 children).
Required Documents for Children
Children need the same core documents as adults for the Taiwan arrival card application. The main difference is that parents provide the information and some children may not have their own passport.
Documents needed for a child’s arrival card:
- Child’s passport – If the child has their own passport, use its number and details
- Parent’s passport – If the child is listed on a parent’s passport, use the parent’s passport number with the child’s name
- Flight details – Same flight as the parent/guardian
- Accommodation address – Same hotel or address as the family
- Parent/guardian email – For receiving the QR code
For children listed on a parent’s passport:
- Enter the parent’s passport number
- Enter the child’s full name as written on the passport page
- Enter the child’s date of birth
- The system will link the child’s arrival card to the parent’s passport
For children with their own passport:
- Enter the child’s passport number
- Enter the child’s details exactly as they appear on the passport
- The system processes the child independently
Age-Specific Requirements
Taiwan does not have different arrival card requirements based on a child’s age. The same form and process applies whether the traveler is 6 months old or 17 years old.
Age considerations:
| Age Group | Own Passport? | Arrival Card | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0-2 years (infant) | May be on parent’s passport | Required | Use parent’s passport number if no own passport |
| 2-5 years (toddler) | Usually has own passport | Required | Use child’s own passport details |
| 6-11 years (child) | Has own passport | Required | Use child’s own passport details |
| 12-17 years (teen) | Has own passport | Required | Can complete their own form with parent supervision |
Some countries issue passports to children at birth. Check your country’s passport regulations to determine if your child needs their own passport for Taiwan travel.
Traveling with a Single Parent
Single parents or guardians traveling alone with children to Taiwan should carry additional documentation. While the Taiwan arrival card does not require this information, immigration officers may ask for proof of parental authority.
Recommended documents for single-parent travel:
- Birth certificate – Shows the relationship between parent and child
- Custody document – If applicable, proof of sole custody
- Notarized consent letter – If the other parent is not traveling, a signed letter granting permission for the child to travel to Taiwan
- Death certificate – If the other parent is deceased
These documents are not required for the arrival card application but may be requested at immigration. Having them ready speeds up the entry process and avoids complications.
Children with Dual Nationality
Children who hold dual nationality need to enter Taiwan on one passport. The Taiwan arrival card must match the passport used for entry.
Rules for dual-nationality children:
- Choose one passport – Use the same passport for the arrival card and at immigration
- ROC (Taiwan) passport holders – If your child holds a Taiwan passport, they do not need an arrival card. They enter as a ROC national
- Foreign passport only – If using a foreign passport, complete the arrival card with that passport’s details
- Do not mix passports – Using one passport for the arrival card and another at immigration will cause problems
If your child holds both a foreign passport and a Taiwan (ROC) passport, they should enter Taiwan using the ROC passport. In this case, no arrival card is needed. However, if they enter on their foreign passport, they must have a valid arrival card.
Family Travel Tips for the Arrival Card
Families traveling to Taiwan can streamline the arrival card process by completing all applications in one session. Here are practical tips for managing multiple family applications.
Efficient family application workflow:
- Gather all passports first – Have every family member’s passport ready before starting
- Use one email address – All QR codes can be sent to the same parent email
- Copy common information – Flight number and accommodation address are the same for all family members
- Save passport details – Write down passport numbers, expiry dates, and full names for quick reference
- Complete applications in sequence – Finish one application fully before starting the next
- Download all QR codes – Save or print every family member’s QR code before traveling
Pro tip: Take screenshots of all family QR codes and save them in a single album on your phone. This makes it easy to show each code at immigration without searching through emails.
What If a Child’s Application Is Rejected?
A child’s Taiwan arrival card application can be rejected for the same reasons as an adult’s. Common issues include incorrect passport number, name mismatch, or insufficient passport validity.
Steps to resolve a rejected child’s application:
- Check the error message – The TWAC portal indicates which field has the problem
- Verify passport details – Ensure the child’s name and passport number match exactly
- Check passport validity – The child’s passport must be valid for at least 6 months from entry
- Submit a new application – Correct the error and submit a fresh application
- Contact immigration if needed – Call +886-2-2388-9393 for persistent issues
If the child is listed on a parent’s passport and the system rejects the application, try entering the passport number without spaces and in uppercase letters. Some older passport formats may not be recognized by the automated system.
Children Arriving Without Parents
Unaccompanied minors traveling to Taiwan need their own arrival card completed by their legal guardian. The guardian submits the application before the child’s departure.
Additional considerations for unaccompanied minors:
- Guardian completes the form – The legal guardian fills out the arrival card online
- Accommodation address – Enter the address where the child will stay in Taiwan
- Contact information – Provide the guardian’s email and phone number
- Airline assistance – Most airlines offer unaccompanied minor services for children under 12
- Pickup authorization – The person meeting the child at the airport may need authorization documents
Immigration officers may ask additional questions when an unaccompanied minor arrives. Having the arrival card completed in advance with accurate information helps speed up the process.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: July 2025. For official information, visit the National Immigration Agency. This guide is published by the editorial team at taiwan-arrival-card.net to help families navigate Taiwan arrival card requirements for children.