TWAC stands for Taiwan Web Arrival Card, the digital immigration system that replaced paper arrival cards in May 2025. Every foreign visitor entering Taiwan must submit their information through the TWAC portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw before arrival. The system issues a QR code by email that immigration officers scan at the airport.
What Is TWAC – Taiwan Web Arrival Card
TWAC is the official name for Taiwan’s digital arrival card system. The acronym stands for Taiwan Web Arrival Card. Launched by the National Immigration Agency (NIA) in May 2025, TWAC replaced the paper disembarkation card that travelers previously completed during their flight or at the immigration counter.
The TWAC system is hosted at twac.immigration.gov.tw and is the only legitimate portal for submitting your Taiwan arrival card. Third-party websites may offer to process your TWAC submission for a fee, but the actual service is completely free through the official NIA portal.
Key facts about TWAC:
- Full name: Taiwan Web Arrival Card
- Operator: National Immigration Agency (NIA) of Taiwan
- Launch date: May 2025
- Cost: Free
- Portal URL: twac.immigration.gov.tw
- Languages: English, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese
- Processing: Instant QR code generation
The TWAC system processes thousands of submissions daily. During peak travel periods (Chinese New Year, summer holidays, and October National Day), the system handles over 50,000 submissions per day without significant delays.
Who Needs to Submit a TWAC Form
Almost every foreign national entering Taiwan must complete a TWAC submission. The requirement applies regardless of visa status, purpose of visit, or length of stay.
Must Submit TWAC:
- Tourists visiting for sightseeing
- Business travelers attending meetings or conferences
- Students on exchange programs (without ARC)
- Transit passengers leaving the airport
- Crew members on personal time
- Foreign nationals with work permits (without ARC)
Exempt from TWAC:
- ARC holders – Your Alien Resident Certificate serves as your entry document
- Diplomatic passport holders – Separate entry procedures apply
- Airside transit passengers – Travelers staying in the airport transit area do not need TWAC
- Taiwanese nationals – Citizens of Taiwan use their national ID or ROC passport
If you are unsure whether you need to submit a TWAC form, the safest approach is to complete one. Submitting a TWAC form when not strictly required causes no problems, but failing to submit one when required can result in delays at immigration.
How TWAC Works – The Complete Process
Understanding how TWAC works helps you prepare for a smooth entry into Taiwan. The process involves four stages: preparation, submission, confirmation, and arrival.
Stage 1: Preparation (Before You Travel)
Gather the following information before accessing the TWAC portal:
- Valid passport (minimum 6 months validity beyond your stay)
- Flight number (airline code + number, such as BR 801)
- Accommodation address in Taiwan (full street address, not just hotel name)
- Email address for QR code delivery
- Contact phone number with country code
Stage 2: Submission (7 Days to 24 Hours Before Arrival)
Visit twac.immigration.gov.tw and complete the online form. The TWAC form has 12 fields covering personal details, travel information, and accommodation. The form takes approximately 5 to 10 minutes to complete.
Enter all information carefully. Your name must match your passport exactly. Your flight number must use the correct airline code format. Your accommodation must be a full street address.
Stage 3: Confirmation (Within 30 Minutes)
After submitting your TWAC form, the system generates a QR code instantly. You receive the QR code by email within 30 minutes, though most travelers get it within 5 minutes. Save the QR code on your phone and optionally print a backup copy.
Stage 4: Arrival (At Taiwan Immigration)
When you arrive at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE), Songshan Airport (TSA), or Kaohsiung Airport (KHH), present your QR code at the immigration counter. The officer scans it, verifies your passport, and stamps your entry. The process takes 1 to 2 minutes per traveler.
TWAC Form Fields – What Information Is Required
The TWAC form collects specific information about each traveler. Having all details ready before you start prevents session timeouts and errors.
| Field | Description | Example |
|---|---|---|
| Full name | As on passport | Sarah Johnson |
| Date of birth | YYYY-MM-DD format | 1988-11-22 |
| Gender | Male or Female | Female |
| Nationality | Country of citizenship | Canada |
| Passport number | Alphanumeric | AB9876543 |
| Passport expiry | Must be 6+ months valid | 2027-06-15 |
| Email address | For QR code delivery | [email protected] |
| Flight number | Airline code + number | CI 032 |
| Arrival date | Landing date | 2025-09-01 |
| Accommodation | Full street address | No. 100, Dunhua N. Rd., Songshan Dist. |
| Phone number | With country code | +1-416-555-7890 |
| Visit purpose | Tourism / Business / Other | Tourism |
Common Mistakes to Avoid:
- Writing a hotel name instead of the full address
- Using a nickname instead of your passport name
- Entering the flight number without the airline code
- Providing an invalid or typo in the email address
- Forgetting that passport expiry must be at least 6 months away
TWAC vs Old Paper Arrival Card
Before TWAC, travelers completed a paper disembarkation card during their flight or at the immigration counter. The transition to digital brought several changes.
| Feature | Old Paper Card | TWAC System |
|---|---|---|
| Format | Paper form | Digital / online |
| When to complete | On plane or at airport | 7 days to 24 hours before |
| Processing | Manual review | Automated QR scan |
| Confirmation | Stamp on paper | Digital QR code |
| Cost | Free | Free |
| Editing | Cross out and rewrite | Submit new form |
| Environmental | Paper waste | Paperless |
The TWAC system reduces immigration processing time from 5 to 10 minutes per traveler (paper card era) to 1 to 2 minutes (QR code scan). This improvement is especially noticeable during peak hours at Taoyuan Airport, where immigration queues can be long.
TWAC for Families and Groups
Every traveler, including children and infants, needs an individual TWAC submission. There is no group or family submission feature.
For Children: Parents or guardians complete the TWAC form on behalf of their children. Use the child’s passport information, not the parent’s. Each child receives their own QR code. A family of four (two adults, two children) needs four separate TWAC submissions.
For Elderly Travelers: Family members can help elderly travelers complete the TWAC form. Make sure to use the elderly person’s passport details and email address (or a family member’s email that can receive all QR codes).
For Tour Groups: Tour operators often help group members with TWAC submissions. Each person still needs an individual form. The operator should collect everyone’s passport details in advance and complete the forms at least 48 hours before departure.
TWAC Troubleshooting – Common Issues and Solutions
The TWAC system is reliable, but travelers occasionally encounter problems. Here are solutions for the most common issues.
QR Code Not Received: Wait at least 30 minutes before worrying. Check your spam or junk email folder. Gmail, Outlook, and Yahoo sometimes filter automated messages. If the email is not in spam, resubmit the TWAC form with the same information.
Wrong Information Entered: TWAC submissions cannot be edited. If you entered incorrect information, submit a new form with the correct details. The system accepts multiple submissions for the same passport number.
Form Not Loading: Clear your browser cache and cookies. Try Chrome or Safari. Avoid incognito mode. If the site is slow, it may be experiencing high traffic – try again in 30 minutes.
Session Timeout: The TWAC portal gives you about 15 minutes per session. Prepare all information before opening the form. If your session expires, start a new submission.
Passport Not Accepted: Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your stay. Damaged or heavily worn passports may cause issues. If your passport is damaged, renew it before traveling.
TWAC and Taiwan Entry Requirements
Completing the TWAC form is one part of Taiwan’s entry requirements. Make sure you also have the following:
- Valid passport with at least 6 months validity
- Visa (if required for your nationality – check Taiwan visa requirements)
- Return or onward ticket showing you plan to leave Taiwan
- Proof of accommodation (hotel booking or host address)
- Sufficient funds for your stay
The TWAC form does not replace a visa. If your nationality requires a visa to enter Taiwan, you must obtain it separately through a Taiwan representative office. Citizens of the US, UK, Canada, Japan, South Korea, Australia, and most EU countries can enter Taiwan visa-free for up to 90 days.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated: July 2025. Information based on National Immigration Agency (NIA) regulations. Always verify current requirements at immigration.gov.tw before travel. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.
