The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is a free, mandatory online immigration form that all foreign visitors must complete before entering Taiwan. Since October 1, 2025, TWAC has replaced all paper-based arrival cards. Submit your registration through the official portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw within 7 days before your arrival date.

What Is the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)?
The Taiwan Arrival Card, abbreviated as TWAC, is an electronic immigration form managed by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA). It collects essential travel information from foreign nationals before they arrive in Taiwan, allowing immigration authorities to process entries more efficiently.
TWAC was introduced to modernize Taiwan’s border control system. Before its implementation, travelers had to fill out paper arrival cards during their flight or at the airport – a process that caused long queues and delays at immigration counters. The digital system eliminates this inconvenience entirely.
Key facts about TWAC:
- Cost: Free of charge – there is no fee to register
- Requirement: Mandatory for all foreign nationals entering Taiwan
- Platform: Online only through twac.immigration.gov.tw
- Authority: National Immigration Agency (NIA), Republic of China (Taiwan)
- Languages: 7 languages supported (Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian)
TWAC vs Paper Arrival Card
Before October 1, 2025, travelers received paper arrival cards on flights to Taiwan or at immigration counters. These paper forms required handwriting personal details, passport numbers, and accommodation information while standing in line.
The TWAC digital system eliminates all paper forms completely. Travelers now complete the same information online before departure, from the comfort of their home or hotel. The system stores your data digitally and links it to your passport number, so immigration officers can retrieve your information instantly when scanning your passport at the border.
Who Needs to Complete the Taiwan Arrival Card?
All foreign nationals entering Taiwan must complete the TWAC, regardless of their visa status. This includes travelers who qualify for visa-free entry. The TWAC is not a visa – it is a separate arrival declaration required in addition to any visa or entry permit.
The NIA has specified four categories of travelers who must submit a TWAC:
- Foreign nationals with a visitor visa or entering under Taiwan’s visa-exemption program
- Hong Kong and Macau residents holding a multiple-entry permit
- Mainland Chinese residents holding a multiple-entry tourist permit
- Nationals without household registration in Taiwan who do not hold a Resident Certificate
Visa-Exempt Travelers
Many nationalities can enter Taiwan without a visa for short stays (typically 30 to 90 days depending on nationality). However, visa-free entry does not exempt you from the TWAC requirement. Even if you do not need a visa, you must still complete the online arrival card before entering Taiwan.
Common visa-exempt nationalities include citizens of the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, European Union countries, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most Southeast Asian nations. Check the NIA website for the complete and current list of visa-exempt countries.
Hong Kong, Macau, and Mainland China Residents
Residents of Hong Kong and Macau who hold a multiple-entry permit for Taiwan must complete the TWAC before arrival. Similarly, mainland Chinese residents with a multiple-entry tourist permit are also required to submit the online form.
These travelers follow the same registration process as other foreign nationals, using the same TWAC portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw.
How to Register for the Taiwan Arrival Card Online
Completing your Taiwan Arrival Card registration takes approximately 5 minutes on any device with internet access. The process is straightforward and can be done on a computer, tablet, or smartphone.
Step-by-Step Registration Guide
Follow these steps to complete your TWAC registration:
Step 1: Visit the Official Website
Go to twac.immigration.gov.tw – this is the only official registration portal. You can access it from any browser on desktop or mobile.
Step 2: Select Your Language
Choose your preferred language from the available options: Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, or Indonesian. The form and all instructions will display in your selected language.
Step 3: Enter Personal Details
Fill in your personal information exactly as it appears on your passport:
- Full name (first name and surname)
- Gender
- Date of birth
- Nationality
- Passport number
- Passport expiry date
Step 4: Enter Travel Details
Provide your arrival information:
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.)
- Flight number
- Arrival date
- Port of entry (e.g., Taoyuan International Airport, Kaohsiung International Airport)
Step 5: Provide Accommodation Address
Enter the address where you will be staying in Taiwan. This can be:
- Hotel name and full address
- Friend or relative’s address
- Other accommodation details
Pro tip: Copy the address directly from your hotel booking confirmation to avoid typos.
Step 6: Enter Contact Information
Provide:
- Mobile phone number (your home country or Taiwan number)
- Email address (confirmation will be sent here)
Step 7: Review and Submit
Double-check all entered information for accuracy, then click Submit. The system will process your registration immediately.
Required Information and Documents
| Information Needed | Details |
|---|---|
| Passport | Valid passport with at least 6 months remaining validity |
| Passport number | Must match your passport exactly |
| Flight number | Your inbound flight to Taiwan |
| Accommodation | Hotel name, address, or host’s address in Taiwan |
| Email address | For receiving confirmation |
| Phone number | Contact number during your stay |
Group Registration for Families
The TWAC system supports group registration, allowing one person to complete forms for up to 16 individuals at once. This feature is particularly useful for families traveling together or tour groups.
To use group registration, select the group option on the TWAC portal and enter each traveler’s passport details sequentially. Each person still receives their own individual confirmation linked to their passport.
Taiwan Arrival Card Features and Benefits
The TWAC system includes several advanced features that many travelers are not aware of. These features make the registration process faster and more convenient than traditional arrival cards.
Auto-Fill via Passport Upload
One of the most useful TWAC features is automatic data entry via passport upload. Instead of typing your passport number, name, nationality, and expiry date manually, you can take a photo of your passport’s data page and upload it to the system. The TWAC platform uses optical character recognition (OCR) to automatically populate the relevant form fields.
This feature:
- Saves time during registration
- Reduces the risk of typing errors
- Works on both desktop (upload file) and mobile (take photo)
- Processes your passport image in seconds
Multi-Language Support
The TWAC interface is available in 7 languages:
- Chinese (Traditional)
- English
- Japanese
- Korean
- Thai
- Vietnamese
- Indonesian
All form fields, instructions, and guidance text display in your chosen language. You can switch languages at any point during registration without losing entered data.
Edit Your Submission After Filing
Unlike paper forms, the TWAC system allows you to review and edit your submitted information online after initial filing. If you realize you made a mistake – such as a wrong passport number, incorrect hotel address, or changed flight details – you can log back into the portal and update your submission.
This feature provides peace of mind, especially for travelers whose plans may change between registration and arrival. You can modify your TWAC data at any time before you pass through immigration in Taiwan.
Taiwan Arrival Card Timeline and Deadlines
Understanding the TWAC submission timeline helps ensure a smooth arrival in Taiwan.
Registration window: You can complete your TWAC within 7 days before your arrival date in Taiwan. This means if you arrive on July 15, you can submit your form any time from July 8 onwards.
Processing time: TWAC registration is processed instantly. There is no waiting period for approval – the system accepts your submission immediately upon completion.
Recommended timing: Complete your TWAC 2 to 3 days before your flight. This gives you enough time to correct any errors and avoids last-minute stress before departure.
Important: TWAC must be completed before you go through immigration in Taiwan. If you arrive without a submitted TWAC, you will need to complete one at the airport using the QR codes provided by the NIA at immigration counters.
What Happens After You Submit the TWAC
After successfully submitting your Taiwan Arrival Card, the process is seamless. Here is what to expect.
Confirmation Email
Once you submit your TWAC, the system automatically sends a confirmation email to the address you provided during registration. This email confirms that your arrival card has been registered in the NIA system.
The confirmation email contains your registration details and reference information. While you do not need to present this email at immigration, it serves as a useful record of your submission. Consider saving it on your phone or taking a screenshot as a backup.
At Immigration: What to Expect
When you arrive at a Taiwanese airport or seaport, the immigration process with TWAC is straightforward:
- Proceed to the immigration counter with your passport
- The immigration officer scans your passport – the system automatically retrieves your TWAC data
- No need to present confirmation – your arrival card information appears on the officer’s screen automatically
- Entry is processed based on your passport and linked TWAC data
The NIA has also placed QR codes at check-in counters in airports and seaports. If you have not yet completed your TWAC, you can scan the QR code with your phone and fill out the form on-site before proceeding to immigration.
This streamlined process means faster immigration clearance for travelers who have completed their TWAC in advance. No paper documents to carry, no forms to fill out at the airport – just scan and go.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Do I need to fill out an online arrival card for Taiwan?
Where do I register for the Taiwan arrival card?
How much does the Taiwan arrival card online cost?
What do US citizens need to enter Taiwan?
Do transit passengers need a Taiwan arrival card?
Can I edit my Taiwan arrival card after submission?
Do children need a Taiwan arrival card?
How long does it take to complete the Taiwan arrival card?
Is the Taiwan arrival card the same as a visa?
What if I made a mistake on my Taiwan arrival card?
Can I fill out the Taiwan arrival card at the airport?
Do I need to print my Taiwan arrival card confirmation?
Taiwan Arrival Card information is based on official sources from the National Immigration Agency (NIA), Republic of China (Taiwan). Last updated: July 2026. Always verify current requirements with official sources before travel, as policies may change. For the most up-to-date information, visit the official TWAC portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw or the NIA website at immigration.gov.tw.