Taiwan Arrival Card

The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is Taiwan’s mandatory digital entry form for all foreign nationals – complete it online within 7 days before arrival, free of charge, through the official NIA portal. Whether you are visiting Taipei for the first time or returning for business, understanding the TWAC process ensures a smooth entry into Taiwan.

What Is the Taiwan Arrival Card?

The Taiwan Arrival Card (commonly abbreviated as TWAC) is an official digital entry form managed by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA). It replaced the traditional paper landing card that travelers previously filled out on arrival flights or at immigration counters. The TWAC system was introduced to modernize and streamline the immigration process for international visitors.

Every foreign national entering Taiwan – whether for tourism, business, transit, or other purposes – must complete and submit the Taiwan Arrival Card before arriving in the country. The form collects essential personal information, travel details, and accommodation data that the NIA uses for immigration tracking and border security purposes.

The TWAC is not a visa. It is a separate entry registration requirement that applies to all visitors, regardless of their visa status. Travelers from visa-exempt countries still need to submit the Taiwan Arrival Card even though they do not require a visa to enter Taiwan. The official portal for submission is twac.immigration.gov.tw, which is available in English and six other languages.

Since its introduction, the digital Taiwan Arrival Card has significantly reduced wait times at immigration counters at Taoyuan International Airport, Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung Airport, and other entry points throughout Taiwan. The system processes thousands of applications daily and provides instant confirmation to travelers.

Who Needs to Submit a Taiwan Arrival Card?

The Taiwan Arrival Card is mandatory for several categories of travelers entering Taiwan:

You must submit a TWAC if you are:

• A foreign national without an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
• A foreign national without a Resident Visa
• A foreign national without a Diplomatic ID card
• A person from Mainland China holding a Multiple Entry and Exit Permit for travel
• A person from Hong Kong or Macau holding a Multiple Entry and Exit Permit
• A national without household registration who does not hold a residence certificate for the Taiwan Area

You do NOT need to submit a TWAC if you:

• Hold a valid Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
• Hold a valid Resident Visa
• Hold a Diplomatic ID card issued by Taiwan
• Are a Taiwan national with household registration

For most international tourists and business travelers from countries with visa-free arrangements – including the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most European Union countries – the Taiwan Arrival Card is the primary document needed for entry, along with a valid passport.

Each traveler, including children and infants, must have their own individual Taiwan Arrival Card. Families and groups cannot submit a single application covering multiple travelers.

How to Apply for the Taiwan Arrival Card Online

Applying for the Taiwan Arrival Card is a straightforward five-step process completed entirely online through the official TWAC portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw. The entire process takes approximately 10 to 15 minutes.

Step 1: Email Verification
Visit the TWAC portal and enter your email address. You will receive a verification code via email. Enter this code on the portal to proceed. This step ensures that the NIA can send your confirmation and QR code to a valid email address.

Step 2: Traveler Information
Enter your personal details exactly as they appear on your passport:

• Full name (as shown on passport)
• Date of birth
• Gender
• Nationality
• Passport number and expiry date
• Occupation
• Phone number

Step 3: Itinerary Details
Provide your travel information:

• Airline name and flight number
• Date of arrival in Taiwan
• Purpose of visit (tourism, business, transit, etc.)
• Intended length of stay
• Address of accommodation in Taiwan (hotel name and address)

Step 4: Review
Carefully review all entered information. Verify that your passport number, name spelling, and travel dates are correct. Errors in this section can cause problems at immigration.

Step 5: Confirmation
Submit your application. You will receive a confirmation email with a QR code within minutes. Save or print this QR code – immigration officers may request to see it upon your arrival in Taiwan.

The Taiwan Arrival Card must be submitted within 7 days before your arrival date. You cannot submit it more than 7 days in advance, and submitting it on the day of arrival is acceptable but not recommended.

Required Documents and Information

Before starting your Taiwan Arrival Card application, gather the following documents and information:

Essential Requirements:

• Valid passport – Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months beyond your intended stay in Taiwan
• Valid email address – The confirmation and QR code will be sent to this email
• Flight details – Airline name, flight number, and arrival date
• Accommodation address – Hotel name and address in Taiwan, or host’s address
• Occupation – Your current job title or profession
• Phone number – Contact number with country code

Optional but Recommended:

• Travel insurance details
• Return flight information
• Emergency contact details

All information must match your passport exactly. Spelling errors in your name or incorrect passport numbers are the most common reasons for Taiwan Arrival Card processing issues.

Taiwan Arrival Card Processing Time and Status

The Taiwan Arrival Card processes instantly upon submission through the TWAC portal. Unlike visa applications that may take days or weeks, the TWAC system is automated and provides immediate confirmation.

After submitting your Taiwan Arrival Card, you will receive:

1. Instant on-screen confirmation with your TWAC reference number
2. Email confirmation sent to your registered email address within minutes
3. QR code embedded in the confirmation email for presentation at immigration

If you have not received your confirmation email within 30 minutes, check the following:

• Your spam or junk email folder
• Whether you entered the correct email address during registration
• Your internet connection during submission (incomplete submissions do not send confirmations)

You can check the status of your Taiwan Arrival Card by visiting the TWAC portal and using the Update feature with your passport details and date of birth.

Taiwan Arrival Card Cost

The Taiwan Arrival Card is completely free of charge. There are no government fees, no processing fees, and no hidden costs associated with the TWAC application.

This is an important distinction from visa services or third-party assistance websites that may charge fees. The official TWAC portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw is the only authorized submission platform, and it does not require any payment.

If you encounter any website or service claiming to charge a fee for the Taiwan Arrival Card, it is not the official government portal. Always verify that you are on the correct website: twac.immigration.gov.tw.

Some third-party travel agencies may offer to submit the Taiwan Arrival Card on your behalf for a service fee. While this is legal, it is unnecessary given the simplicity and free nature of the official process.

Troubleshooting Common TWAC Problems

Despite the straightforward process, travelers occasionally encounter issues with their Taiwan Arrival Card. Here are the most common problems and their solutions:

Problem: Did not receive confirmation email

• Check your spam or junk email folder
• Wait at least 30 minutes (sometimes emails are delayed)
• Verify the email address you used during submission
• Resubmit the form using the TWAC portal if no email arrives within 2 hours
• Contact the NIA directly if the issue persists: visit the NIA website or call their helpline

Problem: Error in passport number or name

• Use the Update feature on the TWAC portal to correct your details
• You will need your original passport information and date of birth to access the update form
• If you cannot update online, you can fill out a paper form at the immigration counter upon arrival

Problem: Taiwan Arrival Card expired

• The TWAC is valid for your specific trip dates
• If your travel dates change, submit a new Taiwan Arrival Card with the updated itinerary
• There is no penalty for resubmitting

Problem: System error during submission

• Try using a different browser (Chrome and Safari work best)
• Clear your browser cache and cookies
• Try again during off-peak hours (early morning Taiwan time)
• Ensure your internet connection is stable

Problem: Need to change accommodation details

• Use the Update feature on the TWAC portal
• You can change your accommodation address without resubmitting the entire form

Taiwan Arrival Card vs Visa

A common source of confusion for travelers is the difference between the Taiwan Arrival Card and a Taiwan visa. These are two separate requirements:

Key distinction: Travelers from visa-exempt countries (including the US, UK, Canada, Australia, Japan, South Korea, and most EU nations) do not need a visa for short stays in Taiwan, but they always need the Taiwan Arrival Card.

The Taiwan Arrival Card is not a substitute for a visa. If you are from a country that requires a visa to enter Taiwan, you must obtain both the visa AND the Taiwan Arrival Card.

Country-Specific Entry Requirements

While the Taiwan Arrival Card requirements are the same for all nationalities, visa requirements vary by country. Here are the current visa-free arrangements for major nationalities:

Important: Even if your country has a visa-free arrangement with Taiwan, you must still submit the Taiwan Arrival Card before entry. The visa-free status only exempts you from obtaining a visa – it does not exempt you from the TWAC requirement.

Taiwan Arrival Card for Families and Groups

Each traveler entering Taiwan must have their own individual Taiwan Arrival Card, regardless of age. This includes:

• Adults: Each adult submits their own TWAC application
• Children (2-17 years): Parents or guardians can submit on behalf of children, but each child needs a separate application
• Infants (under 2 years): Even infants require their own Taiwan Arrival Card
• Group tours: Each member of a tour group must submit individually

For families traveling together, it is recommended to submit all Taiwan Arrival Cards at the same time using the same email address. This makes it easier to track and manage all confirmations in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: July 2026
Source: National Immigration Agency, Taiwan (NIA) – Official TWAC Portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw
Note: This guide is for informational purposes. Entry requirements may change. Always verify current rules with the NIA or your nearest Taiwan embassy before traveling.