Taiwan’s Arrival Card Goes 100% Digital: What You Need to Know

Taiwan’s Digital Arrival Card Transformation: A Complete Guide

Starting October 1, 2025, Taiwan is set to eliminate paper arrival cards and transition to a fully digital system known as the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC). This significant change aligns Taiwan with other regional destinations like Malaysia and Cambodia, which have already embraced digital transformation in immigration procedures.

Key takeaway for travelers: Understanding the TWAC system is crucial as it will impact your travel plans. The digital form must be completed online before entering Taiwan. This new process aims to streamline immigration clearance, reduce paper usage, and provide a more efficient experience for visitors.

1. What is the TWAC System?

TWAC System stands for Taiwan Arrival Card, a digital form that travelers need to complete before entering Taiwan. This system has been introduced to replace the traditional paper arrival cards, aiming to streamline the entry process and reduce paper usage.

Purpose of the TWAC System

The primary purpose of the TWAC system is:

• Speeding Up Immigration Clearance: By filling out the arrival card online before arrival, travelers can experience a faster and more efficient immigration process.
• Environmental Benefits: The shift to a digital format significantly reduces paper consumption, aligning with global sustainability trends.
• Enhanced Data Accuracy: Digital forms help minimize errors and improve the accuracy of information collected from travelers.

Differences from Traditional Paper Arrival Cards

Several key differences set the TWAC system apart from its paper predecessor:

• Digital Submission: The TWAC form is completed online via an official portal, eliminating the need for physical forms.
• Pre-arrival Completion: Travelers are encouraged to fill out the form within three days prior to their departure, ensuring smoother processing upon arrival.
• Multilingual Support: Available in multiple languages including English, traditional Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian, making it accessible to a broader range of travelers.
• Real-time Updates: If there are any changes to travel plans or accommodation details, travelers can easily update their information on the platform before arriving in Taiwan.

By understanding these aspects of the TWAC system, travelers can better prepare for their journey and take advantage of a more streamlined entry process into Taiwan.

2. Who Needs to Fill Out the TWAC Form?

TWAC form requirements apply primarily to foreign nationals entering Taiwan for short-term stays. The digital arrival card is mandatory for the following categories:

• Tourists: Anyone visiting Taiwan for leisure or sightseeing.
• Business Travelers: Individuals entering on business-related trips without a resident visa.
• Short-Term Visitors: This includes those attending conferences, visiting friends or relatives, and other temporary visits.

Travelers who hold any of the following documents do not need to complete the TWAC form:

• Taiwan Resident Visa: Holders of valid Resident Visas indicating long-term stays or employment in Taiwan.
• Alien Resident Certificates (ARC): Issued to expatriates, foreign students, and professionals residing in Taiwan.
• Diplomatic Documents: Individuals with diplomatic or official credentials are exempted.

Example:

A Canadian tourist traveling to Taipei for a two-week vacation must fill out the TWAC form online before departure. By contrast, an American software engineer living in Taichung with an ARC is not required to submit this digital arrival card when returning from a trip abroad.

The TWAC system targets non-residents to streamline border management and collect essential information prior to arrival.

Group travelers can also benefit—up to 16 people may be registered under a single submission if they are traveling together, which simplifies entry for families and tour groups.

3. How to Complete the TWAC Form Online?

Filling out the TWAC form online is a straightforward process, designed to make your entry into Taiwan faster and more efficient. The shift to a 100% digital arrival card from October 2025 means most travelers will need to use the official portal before entering the country.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Access the Official Portal:
2. Visit twac.immigration.gov.tw using your smartphone, tablet, or computer. The platform supports English, traditional Chinese, and several other languages.
3. Start a New Application:
4. Select “New Application” on the homepage.
5. Enter Passport Details:
6. Upload or manually enter your passport information:

• Full name as shown in your passport
• Passport number
• Nationality
• Date of birth

1. Provide Travel Information:
2. Fill in details about your trip:

• Flight number or vessel information
• Date and time of arrival in Taiwan

1. Accommodation and Contact Information:
2. Supply your address in Taiwan (hotel, relative’s home, etc.) and a contact phone number during your stay.
3. State Purpose of Visit:
4. Indicate whether you are visiting for tourism, business, family visit, or another reason.
5. Group Registration (Optional):
6. If traveling with family or a group, you can add up to 16 people on one form.
7. Review and Submit:
8. Double-check all information for accuracy before submitting the form online.

Travelers are encouraged to complete this process within three days prior to departure. The digital arrival card system ensures that immigration officials have all necessary details in advance, streamlining border procedures once you land in Taiwan.

4. Improvements in the TWAC System for a Smooth Experience

Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency has made it a priority to create a user-friendly interface in the new TWAC system.

1. Streamlined Design for Easy Navigation

The digital arrival card now has a simplified design, making it easier for travelers to go through each step. Here are some of the features that contribute to this:

• Large buttons
• Clear progress indicators
• Straightforward prompts

These elements help minimize confusion and reduce the time needed to complete the form.

2. Multilingual Support for International Visitors

Multilingual support is another key improvement. The TWAC platform currently offers instructions in English and traditional Chinese, with additional languages such as Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian available. This expanded language coverage addresses common concerns from international visitors who may not be comfortable with English or Chinese.

Each translation covers the full process—from entering personal details to reviewing information—ensuring clarity at every stage.

3. Group Feature for Families or Groups Traveling Together

For families or groups traveling together, the platform allows registration of up to 16 people on a single form. This group feature saves time by consolidating information entry and submission.

The intent behind these enhancements is clear: eliminate barriers for travelers and align Taiwan’s border processes with global standards set by other digitally advanced countries.

4. Visual Cues for Error Reduction

Visual cues—like color-coded sections and confirmation pop-ups—guide users effectively, reducing errors and making the system accessible even for first-time digital form users.

These updates reflect feedback from early adopters and international best practices, aiming to make every traveler’s arrival as smooth as possible.

5. Submitting and Updating Your TWAC Form: Important Guidelines

Submitting your TWAC form online is a straightforward process, but careful attention to detail is essential to avoid delays at immigration. Here’s what travelers need to know:

How to Submit Your TWAC Form Online

• Complete the TWAC form via the official portal: twac.immigration.gov.tw.
• Enter all required information, including passport details, travel dates, flight or ship number, address in Taiwan, and contact details.
• The National Immigration Agency recommends submitting the form within three days prior to departure, though it can be completed at the airport if necessary.
• After submission, a confirmation email containing a QR code will be sent to your registered email address.

Correcting Submitted Information

Mistakes on your arrival card can cause issues during entry checks. The TWAC system addresses this with an Update function:

1. Log back into the portal using your registration credentials.
2. Select the submitted application you wish to amend.
3. Edit incorrect fields such as accommodation address or arrival date.
4. Resubmit changes before arrival in Taiwan.

For families or group travelers, one form can register up to 16 people at once. Ensuring all group details are correct helps prevent complications during immigration processing.

Support remains available for those needing assistance with submitting or correcting their TWAC form upon arrival at Taiwanese airports. This ensures that even last-minute changes do not disrupt your entry process.

6. What Happens After You Submit Your Digital Arrival Card?

Submitting your TWAC form online marks only the first step in Taiwan’s new digital arrival process. Once you have completed and submitted the form, you can expect several immediate outcomes designed to streamline your entry experience.

1. Confirmation Email

Shortly after submission, the system sends a confirmation email to the address you provided. This email includes all the key details you entered, along with a QR code that will be used at immigration checkpoints.

2. QR Code for Immigration

The QR code is your digital proof of arrival declaration. When you reach immigration in Taiwan, officers may either scan this QR code from your mobile device or printout, or—more commonly—simply scan your passport. The system automatically matches your passport data with your digital arrival card on file.

3. Taiwan: Arrival Card Goes 100% Digital from October 2025

From October 2025, paper forms will no longer be accepted at any Taiwanese port of entry. All foreign visitors required to complete an arrival card must use the TWAC system prior to arrival.

4. No Need for Paper Documentation

With this shift, travelers benefit from a faster clearance process and reduced paperwork. The digital confirmation also serves as a backup if questions arise during entry procedures.

Quick tip: Save the confirmation email and QR code on your phone before traveling—you may be asked to display it if there are any discrepancies.

Travelers entering Taiwan after October 2025 will find their information already linked in the immigration system, reducing wait times and simplifying border formalities.

Assistance Available for Travelers with Digital Arrival Cards in Taiwan

Travelers arriving in Taiwan who need help with their digital arrival cards can find dedicated assistance at the airport. The airport assistance for digital arrival card ensures that:

• Staff support is available on-site: Trained personnel are stationed at various points within the airports to assist travelers in completing their TWAC forms.
• User-friendly terminals: Self-service kiosks equipped with Wi-Fi allow travelers to fill out or update their digital arrival cards online.

This support system aims to ensure a smooth entry process for all visitors, particularly those unfamiliar with digital procedures.

Conclusion

Taiwan’s arrival card will be fully digital starting from October 2025, bringing significant improvements to border entry procedures. The mandatory digital arrival card submission through the TWAC system will make immigration smoother, reduce paperwork, and align Taiwan with other technologically advanced destinations in Asia.

Travelers are advised to prepare in advance by filling out their TWAC forms online for a seamless entry experience. This transition to digital offers quicker processing and greater convenience, but it is important to pay attention to details before leaving.

For anyone planning to visit Taiwan after October 2025, it is crucial to understand and follow these new requirements for a hassle-free trip.