No More Paper Forms in Taiwan: Arrival Card Must Be Filed Online Before Arrival

Paper arrival cards end in Taiwan on 1 October. All travellers must complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card before entering, even visa-free Filipinos.

Starting 1 October, travellers heading to Taiwan will no longer find paper arrival cards at immigration counters. Instead, everyone must fill out the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online before arriving.

Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) said the move is meant to speed up immigration clearance, scrapping the old paper-based system once and for all.

Image credit: Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency Republic of China (Taiwan) Official Website

Travellers need to:

• Complete the online arrival card within three days before arriving in Taiwan

• Access the form through the official link or via QR codes available at airport and seaport check-in counters

Make sure that you are filling out the form on their official website (https://twac.immigration.gov.tw/submit) or scan the QR code as presented above.

The online form is available in Chinese or English, with guides also offered in Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese and Indonesian. You will need to type in your personal details and upload a photo of your passport’s data page.

For families or groups, one person can submit the form on behalf of up to 16 travellers. Others in the group can still review and edit their details before flying.

Once submitted, a confirmation email goes straight to the registered inbox. Immigration officers may also ask you to present this email, so better keep a copy saved. The process is free of charge.

Also read: This Taiwan Guide is Stealing the Hearts of Filipino Travellers, Here's Why

Image credit: tsaiwen_hsu | Unsplash

According to the official TWAC site, the arrival card is required for:

• Nationals without household registration in Taiwan (except those exempted)

• Foreign nationals, except:

  • Those with resident visas

  • Those with Alien Resident Certificates

  • Those with diplomatic ID cards from Taiwan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs

• Mainland Chinese residents with multiple entry and exit permits for sightseeing

• Hong Kong and Macao residents with multiple entry and exit permits

It is not required for:

• ROC (Taiwan) nationals holding Resident Certificates

• Holders of resident visas or Alien Resident Certificates

• Holders of diplomatic ID cards issued by MOFA

Also read: Why Taiwan Feels Safe for Solo Travellers

Good news for Filipinos: Taiwan remains visa-free for Philippine passport holders until 2026, but Pinoy travellers must still complete the online arrival card before landing.

If you are flying to Taiwan after 1 October, do not expect to be handed a paper arrival card on the plane. Get your TWAC done online before you board, save yourself the stress, and walk through immigration with ease.

Featured image credit: Ministry of the Interior National Immigration Agency Republic of China (Taiwan) Official Website; Background from Canva Pro