Taiwan's Arrival Card: You Can Now Complete it 7 Days Before You Fly

Taiwan's Arrival Card: You Can Now Complete It 7 Days Before You Fly

Taiwan has extended the window for its free online arrival card, the TWAC, from 3 days to 7 days before you travel.

Most foreign visitors arriving on a visa or under visa exemption need to fill it in before they land, it costs nothing, and you do it at the official portal twac.immigration.gov.tw. The longer lead time simply means you can get it out of the way a week early instead of scrambling the night before your flight.

Taiwan rolled out its digital arrival card, known as the TWAC, back in October 2025 to replace the old paper form you used to fill in on the plane. The latest tweak is small but genuinely useful: the form now opens up to a full week before you travel, rather than the previous three-day window. If you are the type who likes to have everything sorted in advance, this one is for you.

What exactly has changed?

Only the timing. The information you provide and the way you submit it are the same as before. The single difference is that the online form now accepts submissions up to seven days ahead of your arrival in Taiwan, where previously you could only file it within three days of travel. It is a quality-of-life improvement aimed at people who want to tick the paperwork off early, alongside the rest of their pre-trip admin.

Who needs to complete the TWAC?

Most short-stay foreign arrivals. You will need to fill it in if you are entering Taiwan on a visitor visa or under a visa-exemption arrangement, and it also applies to certain travellers from Hong Kong, Macao or mainland China holding multiple-entry permits, as well as some Taiwan nationals without household registration who do not hold a resident certificate.

You do not need the TWAC if you already hold an Alien Resident Certificate, a resident visa, or a diplomatic identification card. If you live in Taiwan or have long-term residency, in other words, this does not apply to you.

How do you fill it in?

Head to the official portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw and complete the form online. It is free, and it is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai. You will need to have a few things to hand:

• Your personal details and passport information
• Your travel details and purpose of visit
• Your flight number or means of arrival
• The address or accommodation where you will be staying in Taiwan

One submission can cover several travellers at once, which is handy for families or groups, and once you are done you will receive an electronic confirmation by email to show at immigration. Fill it in within the week before you fly and you will breeze through arrival with nothing left to do at the airport.

How does this compare with the rest of Asia?

Taiwan is part of a clear regional shift towards filling in your arrival paperwork online before you land rather than scribbling a card on the plane. We have full walkthroughs for the other big ones, including the China arrival card, the Vietnam digital arrival card and the India e-Arrival Card. The detail differs from country to country, but the pattern is the same: do it online, do it before you travel, and keep the confirmation handy.

Frequently Asked Questions About Taiwan's Arrival Card:

When can I submit the Taiwan TWAC?

Up to seven days before you arrive in Taiwan, following the recent change from the previous three-day window. You can complete it any time within that week before your flight.

How much does the Taiwan arrival card cost?

Nothing. The TWAC is completely free to complete at the official portal, twac.immigration.gov.tw. If a website asks you to pay, it is not the official one.

Do I still need a visa as well as the TWAC?

Yes, if your nationality requires one. The TWAC is an arrival declaration, not a visa. If you enter on a visitor visa you still need that visa, and if you enter under visa exemption you still complete the TWAC. The card does not replace your entry permission.

Who is exempt from the TWAC?

Holders of an Alien Resident Certificate, a resident visa, or a diplomatic identification card do not need to complete it. It is aimed at short-stay visitors rather than residents.

Sorting your arrival card a week early is one less thing to think about, and the same goes for your money. BudgetBro helps backpackers and long-stay travellers track spending across more than 160 currencies and set a trip budget for Taiwan so you always know where you stand. Entry rules can change, so always confirm the latest requirements at the official TWAC portal before you travel.