Taiwan TWAC: Digital Arrival Card Required Three Days Before Travel

(TAIWAN) Taiwan’s government will require most inbound travelers to complete a new online digital arrival card before they fly, replacing the long-used paper slip at the airport. The Ministry of the Interior’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) said the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) must be submitted within three days before arrival starting October 1, 2025.

Officials say the shift to a digital arrival card will shorten airport lines and cut data entry errors, while giving travelers a simple way to correct details ahead of time.

What the TWAC Is — and Is Not

• TWAC: A digital arrival card that must be filed online before arrival.
• Not a visa: Filing the TWAC does not change visa requirements or act as a permit.
• Fee: Free to submit.
• Who it covers: Foreign visitors; Mainland Chinese residents; Hong Kong and Macao residents; ROC nationals without household registration.

Government officials emphasize that all existing visa rules and border checks remain unchanged.

Key Dates and Submission Window

• Start date: October 1, 2025
• Submission window: Within three days before arrival in Taiwan
  • You can submit closer to your flight, but not earlier than three days before landing.
• After submission you receive a confirmation email — no printout required at the border; officers will access records in their system.

Important: The rule applies to trips arriving on or after October 1, 2025. Plan to complete the TWAC during the required three-day window.

Policy Change Overview (At a Glance)

• Start date: October 1, 2025
• Submission window: Within three days before arrival
• Who must file: Foreign travelers; Mainland Chinese residents; Hong Kong and Macao residents; ROC nationals without household registration
• Fee: No charge
• Language support: Chinese, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian
• Group option: Submit for up to 16 people in one session
• Data access: Travelers can view and edit submissions online before arrival
• Proof at entry: No printed confirmation required
• Visa status: The TWAC is not a visa

Why the Government Made the Change

• Collecting information in advance allows immigration staff to see traveler records in real time when a passport is scanned.
• The shift aims to:
  • Reduce queuing times
  • Cut manual data-entry errors
  • Reduce paper use
• VisaVerge.com analysis notes this mirrors a global trend toward pre-arrival declarations for faster screening.

What the Form Collects

The online TWAC gathers the same categories that used to be on the paper card, including:

• Passport details (passport data page can be uploaded)
• Nationality (three-letter country code)
• Date of birth
• Occupation
• Phone number
• Travel itinerary (flight number, planned arrival date)
• Accommodation address in Taiwan
• Purpose of visit

This information helps confirm identity, contact travelers in emergencies, and manage passenger flows.

System Features and Convenience

• Designed to be mobile-friendly and to reduce typos.
• Passport upload can auto-fill names and passport numbers.
• Group submission: One person can register up to 16 travelers (useful for families and tour groups).
• Multi-language support reduces mistakes for non-English/Chinese speakers.
• You can edit submissions any time before arrival if plans change.

How to Apply for the Taiwan Arrival Card

The government directs travelers to the official TWAC website to complete the form. Steps:

1. Enter your email address, then input the verification code sent to your inbox.
2. Upload your passport data page, or type details manually (nationality, birthdate, passport number).
3. Provide your travel plan: flight number, planned arrival date, accommodation, and phone number.
4. Select your purpose of visit.
5. Review and submit. You can return later to correct/update information before arrival.

If an officer needs to check, they will find your digital record using your passport — so there is no print requirement.

Who Should File — Practical Guidance

• Applies to most non-resident arrivals: tourists, business travelers, family visits, short-term students.
• The TWAC does not replace visas or permits — check separately if you need a visa.
• Airlines may still check documents at check-in; border officers will perform routine inspections on arrival.

Practical tips:
– Double-check names, passport numbers, and dates to avoid delays at immigration.
– Travel agents or group organizers can complete the group submission, but each traveler is still responsible for correct data.
– If plans change (flight or hotel), update the TWAC before arrival.

Special Notes for Specific Travelers

• Families: Include children in the group submission and verify each child’s passport details.
• Students: Keep school contact details ready for the accommodation section.
• Frequent travelers: Set a reminder to file three days before arrival.
• Business travelers: Consider having staff prepare and review standard details for submission.

Operational and Security Benefits

• Immigration counters no longer need to transcribe handwritten cards, freeing staff to focus on interviews and checks.
• Stored submissions are secure and linked to passports, allowing officers to retrieve records quickly.
• The short submission window keeps records current and useful for border checks.

Warning: Submissions sent earlier than three days before arrival will not be accepted. Waiting until landing is not an option.

Final Reminders

• The TWAC is a practical upgrade — free, multilingual, and correctable as plans change.
• Complete the TWAC at the official TWAC website within three days before your arrival in Taiwan.
• If you need a visa, apply separately based on your nationality and purpose of visit.

From October 1, 2025, the Taiwan Arrival Card becomes a required part of entering Taiwan.