Taiwan Arrival Card FAQ

The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is a free digital immigration form that every foreign national must submit within 7 days before entering Taiwan. This FAQ covers eligibility, step-by-step submission, troubleshooting missing confirmation emails, and scam warnings that other guides overlook. Whether you are a first-time visitor or a frequent traveler, these answers prepare you for hassle-free entry.

What Is the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)?

The Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) is a mandatory digital immigration form that replaced the old paper arrival card previously distributed on airplanes and at ports of entry. Operated by Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA), the TWAC system collects traveler information electronically before arrival to streamline immigration clearance.

Every foreign national entering Taiwan – whether for tourism, business, transit, or any other purpose – must complete a TWAC. The form captures personal details, travel information, and accommodation plans. Once submitted, travelers receive a confirmation email with a QR code that immigration officers may scan upon arrival.

The TWAC system launched as part of Taiwan’s broader digital transformation of border control. It works alongside the existing e-Gate automated immigration system for eligible travelers. The online portal is accessible at twac.immigration.gov.tw and supports multiple languages.

Unlike a visa, the TWAC does not grant or deny entry – it is an entry requirement that pre-registers your arrival information. Think of it as a digital landing card that speeds up the immigration process for both travelers and officers.

Who Needs to Submit the Taiwan Arrival Card?

Every foreign national entering Taiwan must submit the TWAC, regardless of visa status, nationality, or travel purpose. This includes:

• Tourists visiting Taiwan for sightseeing or vacation
• Business travelers attending meetings, conferences, or trade events
• Transit passengers who leave the airport during a layover
• Students on short-term study programs (without ARC)
• Visa-exempt travelers from countries with Taiwan visa-waiver agreements
• Visa holders with a valid visitor visa

The requirement applies universally to all foreign passport holders. Even citizens of countries that enjoy visa-free entry to Taiwan (such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Japan, and most EU nations) must submit a TWAC before arrival.

There are no exceptions based on age – children and infants also need their own Taiwan Arrival Card, submitted by a parent or guardian.

When and How to Submit the Taiwan Arrival Card

Submit the TWAC online at twac.immigration.gov.tw within 7 days before your arrival in Taiwan. The process takes approximately 5 minutes to complete.

Submission Window and Deadlines

The 7-day submission window means you can submit your TWAC anytime from 7 days before your arrival date up until the day of arrival. For example, if your flight lands on July 15, you can submit starting July 8.

The system uses Taiwan time (UTC+8) for deadline calculations. If you are in a different timezone, keep this in mind. Submitting well in advance is recommended – do not wait until the last minute in case of technical issues or email delays.

There is no penalty for submitting early. Your TWAC remains valid as long as the travel details match your actual arrival.

Step-by-Step Online Submission

To complete your Taiwan Arrival Card online:

1. Visit the official portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw
2. Select your language from the available options
3. Enter personal information: full name (as on passport), nationality, date of birth, gender, passport number
4. Provide contact details: email address (critical for receiving confirmation), phone number with country code (e.g., +1 for US, +44 for UK)
5. Enter travel information: flight number, arrival date, expected departure date (approximate is acceptable)
6. Fill in accommodation: hotel name or address in Taiwan, or residential address if staying with someone
7. State your occupation: write your actual job title (e.g., “teacher”, “engineer”, “student”) – free text field
8. Review all entries carefully before submission
9. Submit the form and check your email for the confirmation with QR code

If you do not have a smartphone or computer, Taiwan airports provide tablet kiosks in the arrival hall where you can complete the TWAC on the spot. QR codes are also posted at airports for mobile access.

What Information Do You Need for the Taiwan Arrival Card?

You need the following to complete the TWAC:

Common mistakes include entering the passport number incorrectly, using an inactive email address, or forgetting the country code on the phone number. Double-check all entries before submitting.

Taiwan Arrival Card Cost: Is It Really Free?

The Taiwan Arrival Card is completely free of charge. The National Immigration Agency does not charge any fee for submitting a TWAC through the official portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw.

This is a critical point because numerous third-party websites charge travelers $20 to $80 USD for a service that costs nothing. These sites often appear in search engine ads and look official, but they are not affiliated with the Taiwan government.

Scam Warning: Avoid Third-Party Fees

Third-party TWAC scam sites typically:

• Charge fees ranging from $20 to $80 USD for a free service
• Use official-looking designs and Taiwan government imagery
• Appear as paid ads above the actual official portal in search results
• May collect and misuse your passport and personal data

How to verify you are on the official site:

• The URL must be twac.immigration.gov.tw (.gov.tw is Taiwan’s government domain)
• There is no payment page or credit card field on the official portal
• The official site does not ask for payment at any step
• If in doubt, navigate directly by typing the URL rather than clicking search ads

If you have already paid a third-party site, your TWAC may still be submitted correctly (these sites often just fill out the free form on your behalf), but you paid for something that was free. Contact your bank about disputing the charge.

After Submission: Confirmation Email and Next Steps

After submitting your TWAC, you receive a confirmation email containing a QR code. This email arrives at the address you provided during submission.

The QR code serves as your digital proof of TWAC completion. Immigration officers at Taiwan’s ports of entry may scan this code during your immigration clearance. Keep the email accessible on your phone or print a copy as backup.

Upon arrival in Taiwan, proceed through immigration as normal. Present your passport to the officer. If you have completed your TWAC, the officer can verify your information electronically. The QR code is an additional verification tool, not a replacement for your passport.

Travelers using Taiwan’s e-Gate automated immigration system for the first time still need a valid TWAC. e-Gate eligibility depends on nationality and previous entry history.

Exemptions: Who Does Not Need a Taiwan Arrival Card?

Certain travelers are exempt from the TWAC requirement:

• Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) holders – Foreign nationals with a valid ARC living in Taiwan do not need to submit a TWAC when re-entering the country
• Taiwan Resident Visa holders – Those with a resident visa (not a visitor visa) are exempt
• Diplomatic passport holders – Diplomats and officials with diplomatic credentials
• Taiwan nationals – Republic of China citizens do not need a TWAC

If you hold a visitor visa (even a long-term multiple-entry visitor visa), you still need to submit a TWAC for each entry. Only the resident visa category provides an exemption.

Not sure if you qualify? If your primary purpose is tourism, business meetings, or short-term visits, you need a TWAC regardless of your visa type.

Special Situations: Groups, Families, and Children

Group Submission for Up to 10 Travelers

The TWAC portal supports group submissions of up to 10 travelers in a single session. This feature is useful for tour groups, corporate travel, or family trips.

To submit as a group:

1. Start a group submission on the portal
2. Enter each traveler’s passport and travel details individually
3. One email address receives all confirmations
4. Each traveler gets their own QR code

For larger groups (tour operators), the official portal offers an Excel import feature. This allows bulk submission of traveler data via a spreadsheet template available on the portal.

Travel agencies can also submit TWACs on behalf of their clients. The agency enters the traveler’s information and the confirmation email goes to the traveler or the agency.

Taiwan Arrival Card for Minors and Children

Every child, including infants, needs their own Taiwan Arrival Card. A parent or guardian submits the TWAC on the child’s behalf using the child’s passport details.

For families:

• Each child needs a separate TWAC submission
• Use the group submission feature for convenience
• The parent’s email address can receive all family confirmations
• Children’s passports have their own passport numbers – use these, not the parent’s

Updating or Correcting Your Taiwan Arrival Card

If you made a mistake on your submitted TWAC or your travel plans changed, you can update your information by re-submitting a new form on the official portal. The latest submission automatically replaces the previous one.

Common reasons to update:

• Changed your flight number or arrival date
• Changed your hotel or accommodation
• Entered incorrect passport number or personal details
• Updated your expected departure date

You do not need to cancel the old submission. Simply fill out a new TWAC with the corrected information. The system recognizes your passport number and overwrites the previous entry.

Taiwan Arrival Card FAQ

Last updated: July 2026. Taiwan immigration policies may change. Always verify current requirements with the National Immigration Agency at twac.immigration.gov.tw before traveling. This guide is for informational purposes and does not constitute legal advice.