Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC): How to Apply, Who Needs It and When

Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC): How to Apply, Who Needs It and When

Quick answer: the Taiwan Arrival Card, or TWAC, is a free online form that most foreign visitors must submit before they arrive in Taiwan. You complete it at the official portal, twac.immigration.gov.tw, any time up to seven days before you land, it takes about five minutes, and there is no fee. It replaced the old paper card you used to fill in on the plane. Residents who hold an Alien Resident Certificate do not need it.

If you are flying to Taiwan on a visitor visa or under visa exemption, the TWAC is the one piece of paperwork you should not skip. This guide covers exactly what it is, who has to submit one, how to fill it in step by step, what you need to hand, when to do it, and the mistakes that trip people up at the gate.

What is the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)?

The TWAC is Taiwan's digital arrival card, run by the National Immigration Agency. It is an online declaration of who you are, why you are visiting and where you are staying, and it went live in October 2025 to replace the paper arrival card travellers used to complete in the air. Instead of scribbling a card on the plane, you now fill in a short web form before you travel and arrive with the paperwork already done.

It is free, it is quick, and it is available in seven languages: English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai. One submission can cover several travellers at once, which is handy for families and groups.

TWAC vs visa: what is the difference?

The TWAC is not a visa and it does not grant you entry on its own. A visa, or a visa-exemption arrangement, is your permission to enter Taiwan. The TWAC is simply the arrival declaration you make on top of that permission. If your nationality needs a visitor visa, you still need the visa. If you qualify for visa-free entry, you still complete the TWAC. Think of the visa as the ticket in and the TWAC as the form you hand over at the door.

Who needs to submit the Taiwan Arrival Card?

Most short-stay foreign arrivals need one. You must submit the TWAC if you are:

• A foreign national entering Taiwan on a visitor visa
• A foreign national entering under a visa-exemption arrangement
• A resident of Hong Kong, Macao or mainland China arriving on certain multiple-entry permits
• A Taiwan national without household registration who does not hold a resident certificate

In short, if you are visiting Taiwan rather than living there, you almost certainly need to complete the form before you arrive.

Who is exempt from the TWAC?

You do not need to submit the Taiwan Arrival Card if you already hold one of the following:

• An Alien Resident Certificate (ARC)
• A resident visa
• A diplomatic identification card

If you live in Taiwan or hold long-term residency, the TWAC does not apply to you. It is aimed squarely at short-stay visitors.

How to apply for the Taiwan Arrival Card online

The whole thing is done at the official portal, twac.immigration.gov.tw. There is no app to download and no third party to pay. Here is the process from start to finish.

Step 1: Open the official portal and choose your language

Go to twac.immigration.gov.tw and pick one of the seven supported languages. Make sure the web address is the official government one before you enter any personal details. If a site asks you to pay a fee, it is not the real TWAC.

Step 2: Enter your personal and passport details

Fill in your name, nationality, date of birth and passport information exactly as they appear on your passport. Small mismatches, such as a missing middle name or a transposed number, are the most common reason a submission causes trouble at the border.

Step 3: Add your travel and itinerary details

Enter your purpose of visit, your flight number or means of arrival, and your arrival date. If your plans are not fully fixed, use your best current information and remember you can complete a fresh submission if things change.

Step 4: Give your accommodation address in Taiwan

Provide the address where you will be staying, whether that is a hotel, a guesthouse or a friend's home. Have the booking confirmation open so you can copy the address accurately.

Step 5: Review, submit and save your confirmation

Check every field against your passport and booking, then submit. You will receive an electronic confirmation by email. Save it, screenshot it or print it so you can show it at immigration if you are asked.

What documents and information you need

You do not need to upload documents, but you do need the details from them. Have these to hand before you start:

• Your passport, for your name, nationality, date of birth and passport number
• Your flight number or other means of arrival
• Your arrival date and purpose of visit
• The full address of your accommodation in Taiwan

Gathering these first means the form really does take about five minutes.

When to apply: timing and the validity window

You can submit the TWAC any time up to seven days before you arrive in Taiwan. This window was recently extended from three days, so you no longer have to leave it until the last minute. There is no benefit to waiting: filling it in early, alongside the rest of your pre-trip admin, means one less thing to think about the night before your flight. If your details change after you submit, you can complete a new submission with the correct information.

After you submit: what to expect

Once your form is accepted, the confirmation lands in your email. There is nothing to collect at a counter and no sticker in your passport. Keep the confirmation accessible on your phone or on paper so you can present it quickly if an immigration officer asks. With the TWAC done, arrival is usually a straightforward walk through the normal passport checks.

Common mistakes to avoid

A few small errors cause most of the friction travellers report:

• Using an unofficial website that charges a fee. The real TWAC is free at twac.immigration.gov.tw
• Entering your name or passport number differently from your passport
• Leaving the accommodation address blank or guessing it
• Assuming the TWAC replaces a visa. It does not; you still need your visa or visa-exempt entitlement
• Waiting until you are already at the airport when you could have done it days earlier

How Taiwan compares 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 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 details differ 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 the Taiwan Arrival Card

Is the Taiwan Arrival Card mandatory?

Yes, for most short-stay visitors. If you are entering Taiwan on a visitor visa or under visa exemption, you are expected to submit the TWAC before you arrive. Residents with an Alien Resident Certificate, a resident visa or a diplomatic identification card are exempt.

How much does the Taiwan arrival card cost?

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

Where do I fill out the Taiwan Arrival Card?

Only at the official government portal, twac.immigration.gov.tw. There is no app and no need for an agent. Avoid third-party sites that charge a fee for what is a free government form.

When can I submit the Taiwan TWAC?

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

How long does the Taiwan Arrival Card take?

About five minutes if you have your passport, flight details and accommodation address to hand. There is no processing wait; you receive your confirmation by email once you submit.

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.

What information do I need to complete it?

Your passport details, your flight number or means of arrival, your arrival date and purpose of visit, and the address of your accommodation in Taiwan. You do not need to upload any documents.

Do children need a Taiwan Arrival Card?

Yes. Each traveller needs to be declared, including children. The good news is that a single submission can cover several travellers at once, so a family can be completed together rather than one form at a time.

Can I update the TWAC after I submit it?

If your details change after you submit, complete a fresh submission with the correct information before you travel. Keep the latest confirmation to show at immigration.

What if my flight details change?

Submit a new form with the updated flight information. Because you can file up to seven days ahead, it is worth waiting until your itinerary is settled if you know it is still moving.

Can I fill out the Taiwan Arrival Card at the airport?

It is designed to be completed online before you travel, so the safest approach is to do it in advance. Sorting it at the airport relies on connectivity and time you may not have, which is exactly what the pre-arrival form is meant to avoid.

Is the TWAC the same as an e-visa or ETA?

No. It is an arrival declaration rather than an entry authorisation. Some countries run electronic visas or travel authorisations that grant permission to enter; the TWAC does not do that. It simply records your arrival details for immigration.

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.