Applying for the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online is a straightforward process that takes less than 5 minutes. Since October 2025, every foreign visitor must complete this free digital form through the official portal before entering Taiwan. This guide walks you through each step of the Taiwan Arrival Card application so you can complete it confidently from any device.
What You Need Before You Start Your Taiwan Arrival Card Application
Before opening the TWAC portal, gather the following information. Having everything ready will let you complete the Taiwan Arrival Card application in one sitting without interruptions.
| Information Required | Details | Where to Find It |
|---|---|---|
| Passport number | Full number exactly as printed | Bio page of your passport |
| Passport expiry date | Must be valid for 6+ months | Bio page of your passport |
| Nationality | Country that issued your passport | Bio page of your passport |
| Date of birth | DD/MM/YYYY format | Bio page of your passport |
| Flight number | Airline code + number (e.g., CI 101) | Booking confirmation email |
| Arrival date | Date you land in Taiwan | Booking confirmation email |
| Accommodation address | Hotel name or host address in Taiwan | Hotel booking or host details |
| Email address | Valid, active email for confirmation | Your personal email |
Keep your passport open next to you while filling out the Taiwan Arrival Card application. The most common errors come from typing passport numbers or dates incorrectly.
How to Apply for the Taiwan Arrival Card Online: Step-by-Step
The entire Taiwan Arrival Card application happens on one website: the official NIA portal. Here is exactly what to do at each stage of the TWAC application process.
Step 1: Visit the Official TWAC Portal
Open your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, or Edge all work) and go to twac.immigration.gov.tw. This is the only genuine Taiwan Arrival Card application website. You do not need to download any app or install any software.
On the homepage, you will see language options. The Taiwan Arrival Card application form is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, and Korean. Select your preferred language before proceeding.
Step 2: Start a New Application
Click the “Apply” or “New Application” button on the portal homepage. You will be taken to the Taiwan Arrival Card application form. No account creation or login is needed – the system works on a one-time submission basis.
Step 3: Enter Your Personal and Passport Details
The first section of the Taiwan Arrival Card application asks for your personal information:
- Family name (surname) as shown on your passport
- Given name(s) as shown on your passport
- Date of birth in the format requested
- Gender as indicated on your passport
- Nationality (select from the dropdown)
- Passport number (double-check this field carefully)
- Passport expiry date (verify the day, month, and year)
Take extra care with the passport number field. A single wrong digit or letter will cause issues when you arrive in Taiwan. Compare what you typed against your actual passport before moving to the next step.
Step 4: Enter Your Travel Details
The second section of the Taiwan Arrival Card application covers your trip:
- Purpose of visit (tourism, business, visiting family, etc.)
- Flight number (airline code and number, e.g., BR 28 or CX 450)
- Date of arrival in Taiwan
- Port of entry (Taoyuan Airport, Songshan Airport, Kaohsiung Airport, etc.)
Select the correct arrival date from the calendar picker. If you have a connecting flight, use the flight number of the flight that actually lands in Taiwan.
Step 5: Enter Your Accommodation Details
Provide where you will be staying during your time in Taiwan:
- Accommodation name (hotel name, Airbnb listing name, or host name)
- Address in Taiwan (full address including district and city)
- Phone number (hotel phone or your own mobile number)
If you are staying at multiple locations, use the address where you will spend the first night. If you have not booked accommodation yet, book it before completing the Taiwan Arrival Card application since the address is required.
Step 6: Review and Submit
Before submitting your Taiwan Arrival Card application, the portal shows a summary page. Check every field carefully:
- Verify your passport number matches your passport exactly
- Confirm your arrival date and flight number are correct
- Make sure your accommodation address is complete
- Check that your email address is spelled correctly
Once you are satisfied, submit the application. The system processes your Taiwan Arrival Card immediately – there is no waiting period.
After You Submit: Confirmation and QR Code
The moment you submit the Taiwan Arrival Card application, the system generates your confirmation. Here is what happens next:
Confirmation email: You will receive an email containing your TWAC confirmation and a QR code. This email arrives within seconds in most cases. Check your spam or junk folder if you do not see it in your inbox.
QR code: The QR code in the confirmation email is your proof of Taiwan Arrival Card registration. When you arrive in Taiwan, immigration officers will scan this QR code at the checkpoint. You can show it on your phone screen or print it out.
Saving your confirmation: Save the confirmation email to a folder you can access offline. Take a screenshot of the QR code as a backup. Airport WiFi is available at Taiwan’s airports, but having the QR code saved locally avoids any connectivity concerns.
If you did not receive the confirmation email, first check your spam folder, then try searching your email for “TWAC” or “Taiwan Arrival Card.” As a last resort, you can check your application status on the same portal or submit a new application.
Common Taiwan Arrival Card Application Mistakes to Avoid
Travelers frequently make these errors when completing their Taiwan Arrival Card application. Avoiding them will save you time and stress at immigration.
Passport number typos. This is the single most common mistake. The letters O and number 0, or letters I and number 1, are easy to mix up. Copy your passport number character by character and double-check it.
Wrong passport expiry date format. Some portals use DD/MM/YYYY while others use MM/DD/YYYY. Enter the date exactly as your passport shows and verify the portal’s format.
Incorrect flight number. Make sure you enter the flight number for the flight that lands in Taiwan, not a connecting flight. Include both the airline code (e.g., EVA Air = BR) and the number.
Missing or incomplete accommodation address. The Taiwan Arrival Card application requires a valid address in Taiwan. Enter the full address including district, city, and postal code if available.
Using an inactive email address. The confirmation QR code goes to the email you provide. Make sure it is a working email you can access while traveling.
Applying at the last minute. While the portal works until 1 hour before your flight, applying at the airport under time pressure leads to mistakes. Submit your Taiwan Arrival Card application at least 24 hours before departure.
Applying for the Taiwan Arrival Card on Mobile Devices
The TWAC portal works on smartphones and tablets through any mobile browser. You do not need to download a separate app to complete the Taiwan Arrival Card application on your phone.
Recommended browsers: Chrome (Android), Safari (iOS), Samsung Internet, and Firefox all work well with the TWAC portal.
Tips for mobile users:
- Use landscape mode for easier form entry
- Zoom in on the passport number field to avoid typos
- Double-check all entries on the review screen – small screens make it harder to spot errors
- Save the confirmation email and screenshot the QR code immediately after submission
Many travelers complete their Taiwan Arrival Card application on their phone at home before heading to the airport. The portal is fully responsive and adapts to smaller screens without any functionality loss.
When to Apply for the Taiwan Arrival Card: Timing Your Submission
The Taiwan Arrival Card application window opens 72 hours (3 days) before your scheduled arrival in Taiwan and closes 1 hour before your flight’s departure time.
Best practice timeline:
| When to Apply | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 72-48 hours before | Ideal – gives time to fix any issues |
| 24 hours before | Recommended minimum |
| At the airport | Acceptable but riskier |
| Less than 1 hour before flight | Not possible – window closed |
Applying at least 24 hours before your flight is the recommended approach. This gives you time to correct any mistakes, re-apply if needed, and have the confirmation saved before you travel. If you are visiting Taiwan for a short trip and need to re-apply for the same passport, you can submit a new Taiwan Arrival Card application for each entry.
