The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is a free, mandatory online form that all foreign visitors must submit within 3 days before arriving in Taiwan. Since October 2025, the digital TWAC has fully replaced the old paper disembarkation card. Complete your registration at twac.immigration.gov.tw to receive a QR code confirmation for smooth immigration clearance.
What Is the Taiwan Arrival Card?
The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is a digital entry form managed by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) that replaced the paper disembarkation card on October 1, 2025. Every foreign visitor entering Taiwan must complete this online registration before arrival. The TWAC collects basic travel and identification information to streamline the immigration process at Taiwanese ports of entry.
Before the digital system launched, travelers filled out a paper arrival card on the plane or at the airport. The old paper forms were time-consuming, prone to errors, and created long queues at immigration counters. The NIA introduced the TWAC system to modernize border control, reduce wait times, and improve data accuracy.
The Taiwan Arrival Card is not a visa. It does not grant entry permission or replace any visa requirements. Instead, it serves as a pre-registration tool that allows immigration officers to process your entry faster when you arrive. Your TWAC confirmation links to your passport number, so when the officer scans your passport at the border, your pre-filled information appears automatically.
The TWAC system supports multiple languages and allows group registrations for up to 16 travelers under a single account. This makes it especially convenient for families and tour groups visiting Taiwan.
Who Needs to Fill Out the Taiwan Arrival Card?
All foreign nationals entering Taiwan for tourism, business, visiting family, or any short-term purpose must complete the Taiwan Arrival Card. This requirement applies regardless of whether you need a visa or are entering under a visa-exempt arrangement. If you are not a Taiwan resident, you need a TWAC.
Visa-exempt travelers must submit the TWAC just like visa holders. For example, US citizens can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days, but they still need to complete the Taiwan Arrival Card before arrival. The same applies to UK citizens, Australians, Canadians, and nationals from over 50 other countries with visa-free agreements.
Even travelers with a valid Taiwan visa must submit the TWAC separately. The visa and the arrival card are two distinct requirements that work together for entry clearance.
Exemptions – Who Does Not Need TWAC
Certain categories of travelers are exempt from the TWAC requirement:
- Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) holders – Foreign nationals with valid Taiwan residence permits do not need to submit a TWAC, as their information is already in the immigration system.
- Diplomatic and official passport holders – Travelers entering on diplomatic or official business with special entry permissions.
- ROC nationals – Citizens of the Republic of China (Taiwan) with a valid national ID.
If you hold a work permit or student visa but do not yet have an ARC, you still need to complete the TWAC for your initial entry.
How to Fill Out the Taiwan Arrival Card Step by Step
Visit twac.immigration.gov.tw, enter your passport and travel details, and submit within 3 days before arrival to receive a QR code confirmation by email. The entire process takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
Step 1: Access the Official TWAC Website
Go to twac.immigration.gov.tw – this is the only official TWAC registration portal. The site is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and several other languages. Choose your preferred language from the dropdown menu at the top of the page.
You will see two options: Individual Registration and Group Registration. Select Individual Registration if you are applying for yourself. Choose Group Registration if you need to submit forms for multiple travelers (up to 16 people).
Step 2: Enter Your Personal Information
Fill in your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport:
- Full name – First name and surname (must match passport)
- Nationality – Select from the dropdown
- Date of birth – DD/MM/YYYY format
- Gender – Male or Female
- Passport number – Alphanumeric, no spaces
- Passport expiry date – Must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date
Double-check all entries against your passport. Any mismatch between your TWAC submission and your passport can cause delays at immigration.
Step 3: Provide Travel Details
Enter your trip information:
- Airline name – Select from the list
- Flight number – Your inbound flight to Taiwan
- Arrival date – The date you land in Taiwan
- Purpose of visit – Tourism, business, visiting family, etc.
- Accommodation address – Hotel name and address in Taiwan, or host’s address
- Contact email – Confirmation and QR code will be sent here
- Phone number – Include country code
The contact email is critical – your TWAC confirmation and QR code will be delivered to this address. Use an email you can access while traveling.
Step 4: Submit and Receive Your QR Code
Review all entered information carefully. Once you confirm accuracy, click Submit. You will receive a confirmation email within minutes containing your QR code. Save this QR code on your phone or print it as a backup.
When you arrive in Taiwan, the immigration officer will scan your passport, and your pre-registered TWAC information will appear automatically. Having the QR code ready speeds up the process but is not strictly required if your passport matches the system.
Taiwan Arrival Card Form Fields Explained
The TWAC form requires your passport information, flight details, accommodation address in Taiwan, and a contact email for QR code delivery.
| Field | Required | Tips |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | Yes | Must match passport exactly |
| Nationality | Yes | Select from dropdown |
| Date of birth | Yes | DD/MM/YYYY format |
| Gender | Yes | As on passport |
| Passport number | Yes | No spaces or special characters |
| Passport expiry date | Yes | Must be valid 6+ months |
| Airline | Yes | Select from list |
| Flight number | Yes | Inbound flight to Taiwan |
| Arrival date | Yes | Must be within 3 days of submission |
| Purpose of visit | Yes | Tourism, business, etc. |
| Accommodation address | Yes | Hotel or host address in Taiwan |
| Email address | Yes | For QR code delivery |
| Phone number | Recommended | Include country code |
If you do not have a confirmed hotel booking yet, you can enter the name and address of any hotel or accommodation you plan to use. You can update this information later if your plans change.
Taiwan Arrival Card by Nationality
The TWAC requirement applies equally to all nationalities – US, UK, Philippine, Indian, and Australian citizens all must submit the form regardless of visa status. The key difference between nationalities is whether you also need a visa.
Taiwan Arrival Card for US Citizens
US passport holders enjoy visa-free entry to Taiwan for up to 90 days for tourism and business purposes. However, US citizens must still complete the Taiwan Arrival Card before arrival. The TWAC does not replace the visa-free privilege – it works alongside it to facilitate immigration processing.
Taiwan Arrival Card for UK Citizens
UK passport holders also benefit from 90-day visa-free entry to Taiwan. Like US citizens, British travelers must submit the TWAC online within 3 days before arrival. No additional documents beyond a valid passport and TWAC confirmation are needed for short visits.
Taiwan Arrival Card for Philippine Citizens
Philippine passport holders have different requirements depending on the purpose and length of stay. Some Philippine travelers may qualify for visa-free entry for up to 14 days, while others need to apply for a visa at a Taipei Representative Office before traveling. In all cases, the TWAC is required regardless of visa status.
Taiwan Arrival Card for Indian Citizens
Indian passport holders typically need to obtain a visa before traveling to Taiwan. The TWAC is still mandatory in addition to the visa. Indian travelers should apply for their visa at the nearest Taipei Representative Office and complete the TWAC online within 3 days of their arrival date.
Taiwan Arrival Card Timing and Processing
Submit your TWAC within 3 days (72 hours) before your scheduled arrival in Taiwan – the form cannot be submitted earlier than 3 days or at the airport on arrival.
The 3-day window means:
- If your flight arrives on Friday, you can submit your TWAC starting Tuesday (72 hours before).
- You can submit at any point within that 72-hour window, including the night before or morning of your flight.
- Processing is instant – you receive the confirmation email within minutes.
If your flight details change after submission, you do not need to resubmit the TWAC. The system links to your passport number, not your flight details. However, if your passport number or nationality changes, you must submit a new TWAC.
The TWAC has no expiry date as long as your passport remains valid. Once submitted, the confirmation is active for your entry into Taiwan.
Taiwan Arrival Card Cost – Is It Free?
The Taiwan Arrival Card is completely free through the official NIA website at twac.immigration.gov.tw. There is no fee, no processing charge, and no hidden cost.
Beware of scam websites. The NIA has issued warnings about fraudulent websites that impersonate the official TWAC platform. These fake sites use search ads with keywords like “TWAC” and “Taiwan Arrival Card” to trick travelers into paying fees or sharing personal information. Red flags include:
- Charging a fee for TWAC registration
- URLs that do not match twac.immigration.gov.tw
- Requesting credit card information
- Offering “priority processing” or “express service”
The official TWAC website will never ask for payment. If a site charges you for a Taiwan Arrival Card, it is a scam. Report fraudulent websites to Taiwan’s Ministry of Digital Affairs.
Taiwan Arrival Card vs. Visa – What Is the Difference?
The TWAC is an immigration pre-registration form, not a visa – it records your travel details but does not grant entry permission or replace visa requirements.
| Feature | Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) | Taiwan Visa |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Pre-registration of travel details | Entry permission |
| Cost | Free | Varies by type |
| Who needs it | All foreign visitors | Visa-required nationalities only |
| How to apply | Online at twac.immigration.gov.tw | Embassy or representative office |
| Processing time | Instant (minutes) | Days to weeks |
| Validity | Single entry | Multiple entry options |
| Required documents | Passport details, flight info | Passport, photos, supporting docs |
A common point of confusion: even if you are visa-exempt, you still need the TWAC. The TWAC and visa serve different purposes and are not interchangeable. Think of the TWAC as a digital landing card – it tells Taiwan immigration who is coming and when, while a visa authorizes you to enter the country.
The Taiwan Arrival Card is also distinct from the customs declaration form. Customs forms are completed upon arrival and cover goods you are bringing into Taiwan, while the TWAC is completed before arrival and covers your personal and travel information.
Common Problems and Troubleshooting
The most common TWAC issue is not receiving the confirmation email – check spam folders and allow up to 24 hours for delivery.
Did Not Receive Confirmation Email
If you submitted your TWAC but did not receive the confirmation email with your QR code:
- Check your spam/junk folder – TWAC emails sometimes get filtered as spam.
- Wait up to 24 hours – Email delivery can be delayed during peak travel periods.
- Verify your email address – Check if you entered the correct email in the form.
- Resubmit the form – If your email was correct and 24 hours have passed, submit a new TWAC with the same details.
- Contact NIA – If the problem persists, contact the National Immigration Agency directly.
Your QR code is a convenience, not a strict requirement. Immigration officers can find your TWAC by scanning your passport, even without the QR code.
Website Errors and Technical Issues
If the TWAC website is not loading or displaying errors:
- Try a different browser – Chrome and Safari tend to work best.
- Clear your browser cache – Old cached data can cause display issues.
- Disable VPN – Some VPN connections may interfere with the site.
- Try a different device – Mobile phones and tablets both work.
- Check your internet connection – A stable connection is needed for form submission.
If the website is completely down, wait a few hours and try again. System maintenance occasionally takes the portal offline.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: July 2026. Taiwan entry requirements may change. Always verify current rules with the National Immigration Agency at immigration.gov.tw before traveling.
