For travelers heading to Taiwan, trip preparation just became a little more flexible.
The Taiwan Arrival Card, better known as “TWAC,” can now be completed online up to seven days before arrival in Taiwan, compared with the previous three-day window. Introduced in October 2025, the digital arrival card allows eligible travelers to submit their information before going through immigration.
The process remains free and is completed through the official TWAC portal: twac.immigration.gov.tw. It does not replace a visa when one is required, but it is an entry formality to be completed before arrival to help facilitate immigration processing at the border.
A full week to complete the Taiwan Arrival Card
The official TWAC portal now states that the arrival card can be completed and submitted within seven days before arriving in Taiwan, whether by air or by sea.
In practical terms, travelers can take care of this step before departure, rather than waiting until the final hours before their flight. The form asks for personal details, passport information, travel details, purpose of visit, flight or means of arrival, and the address or accommodation details in Taiwan.
The form is available in several languages, including English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai. The process begins with email verification, followed by the traveler’s personal information and stay details.
For small groups or families, the system also allows multiple travelers to be added in a single submission, which can make trip preparation easier when itinerary details are the same or similar.
Once the form has been submitted, an electronic document is sent to the email address provided. Travelers should keep it available and make sure they use the most recent version if any changes are made before immigration clearance.
If there is an error or a change in travel plans, the TWAC can be updated before document checks at immigration. Travelers will then need the information linked to their arrival card, including the electronic document number, date of birth, passport number and nationality.
Who needs to complete the TWAC?
The Taiwan Arrival Card applies in particular to foreign travelers entering Taiwan with a visitor visa or under a visa-exemption arrangement.
It also applies to certain categories of travelers from Hong Kong, Macao or mainland China who hold multiple-entry permits, as well as some Taiwan nationals without household registration who do not hold a resident certificate.
By contrast, holders of an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), a resident visa or a diplomatic ID card are not required to complete the TWAC.
As with any entry requirement, travelers should check their own situation based on nationality, travel document, immigration status and purpose of travel.
VisasNews Take
This update does not change Taiwan’s entry rules, but it does make the process more convenient for travelers. A seven-day window is often enough to add the arrival card to the pre-departure checklist, alongside the passport, any required visa, travel insurance and bookings.
Digital arrival cards are becoming more common across Asia and elsewhere. They are generally designed to make immigration processing smoother, but they also add one more step travelers need to remember. The best habit remains the same: check entry formalities a few days before departure, use official portals or a trusted specialist agency, and keep email confirmations handy.
