Taiwan Arrival Card 2026: How to Apply, Entry & Tips

Taiwan is a small island nation off the coast of China, known worldwide thanks in part to its capital, Taipei. However, Taiwan is more than just a high-tech hub, as tourism has also become an important economic sector for this relatively small country of around 23.2 million inhabitants.

In the years following the Covid pandemic, visitor numbers to Taiwan have risen noticeably. While 6.49 million tourists visited Taiwan in 2023, that figure had already reached 7.86 million in 2024. Since 1 October 2025, all foreign visitors, including British tourists, have been required to present a so-called Taiwan Arrival Card upon entry.

In our Trip.com guide, you’ll find out what this arrival card is all about, which exceptions apply, how to fill it out – in short, everything you need to know.

🤔 What is the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)?

The Taiwan Arrival Card is a visitor information card issued by the Taiwanese Ministry of the Interior via the National Immigration Agency (NIA). It is applied for and issued electronically and is essentially a questionnaire covering the standard details required when entering a country. This includes information such as your passport number, full name, date of birth, length of stay, and so on.

It was introduced on 1 October 2025 to replace the paper-based visitor registration forms that were standard until then. The TWAC can be issued or applied for not just for one person. Family members or travel groups can also be combined on a single TWAC. Another advantage is that the information provided once can be accessed again, allowing changes to be made before the start of your trip.

We’ve summarised what the Taiwan Arrival Card is, along with the most important information about the TWAC, to get straight to the point for you:

💻 How do you complete the Taiwan Arrival Card?

With the introduction of the TWAC, the previously used paper format has been abolished. This means that you can only apply for the TWAC in electronic form and will also receive it in electronic form. The TWAC will be sent to you by email in PDF format, and if you want to be on the safe side, you can of course print it out yourself.

Neither the Taiwanese Ministry of the Interior nor the National Immigration Agency has its own app. You must therefore apply for your TWAC using the website, whether you are using a smartphone or a PC/Mac.

💰 How much does the Taiwan Arrival Card cost?

The TWAC is issued free of charge to all visitors to Taiwan. You will therefore not be asked for payment at any point while filling out your TWAC application or at any later stage. If a payment request appears, you have ended up on an unofficial or even fraudulent website.

To ensure you don't fall for scammers, we recommend visiting the NIA website directly. Here, you can apply for your TWAC for free in just a few minutes and will receive it via email afterwards, completely free of charge as announced by the NIA.

⚠️ Who needs a Taiwan Arrival Card?

The Taiwan Arrival Card is required by all visitors to Taiwan. It does not matter whether you arrive in Taiwan by sea or by air. However, there are a few exceptions, which we will come to in the next section. As a visitor or business traveller, however, you will always need the TWAC.

However, your Taiwan Arrival Card must not be confused with a visa. While British citizens, like all other foreign visitors (with only a few exceptions), do require a TWAC, you do not need a visa if you are staying in Taiwan for no longer than 90 days.

☝️ Are there any exceptions for the Taiwan Arrival Card?

Yes, there are; for instance, Taiwanese citizens do not need to apply for a Taiwan Arrival Card. There are also exceptions for foreigners, although these are very limited. As a foreigner, you do not need a TWAC if you:

1. you are a permanent resident of Taiwan (holder of an Alien Residence Certificate)
2. Holds a long-term residence permit for Taiwan (Resident Visa)
3. enter Taiwan with a diplomatic passport or a diplomatic ID card

This regulation also has no impact on the method of entry. Regardless of whether you arrive by ship or plane, you must have applied for or created your TWAC at least 7 days before your arrival in Taiwan.

❓ How is the Taiwan Arrival Card completed?

Since October 2025, the TWAC is only available in electronic form. This means you must submit your application for a Taiwan Arrival Card online. You should allow about 5 minutes for the entire process, provided you have all the necessary information to hand. That's why we'll take a look at what information you need for your TWAC next.

❗️ What information do British citizens need to apply for a Taiwan Arrival Card?

Now for the exciting part, as we’re going to explain how you can get your Taiwan Arrival Card. In the next two sections, we’ll guide you through the process step-by-step. First, we’ll start with filling out a TWAC application on a PC, and then we’ll cover the process for smartphones or tablets.

To ensure the application process is as “free, quick, and user-friendly” as the NIA describes in their video (link in English), we have created a checklist of the information you will need to fill out the TWAC form:

✅ Your travel details, consisting of arrival and departure dates, flight information, etc.

✅ Your passport number and expiry date

✅ Your personal details such as date of birth, nationality, citizenship, place of residence, etc.

✅ Your email address, so you can even access the application page

✅ Further information such as your mobile number and professional status

📋 A step-by-step guide to filling out the TWAC form on your PC or Mac

First of all, you need to bear in mind that you must submit your TWAC application within 7 days BEFORE your arrival in Taiwan. You can find the application form on the National Immigration Agency's website.

Once you have your passport and travel details to hand, you can get started with your TWAC application – here’s how to do it:

Step 1: Load the official NIA website on your PC or Mac

Step 2: Click on the blue button in the top right corner labelled “Submit Arrival Card”

Step 3: Verify your email address now by entering it into the designated field and entering the code sent via email into the field below it

Step 4: Now start entering the requested data into the respective fields. Once you are finished, click on “Next” at the bottom

Step 5: “Success” will now appear on your screen and you’ll be prompted to open your email inbox

Step 6: Open your email inbox and you will find your TWAC in PDF format. If a mistake has crept in, you can correct your details afterwards by clicking on “Update Arrival Card” on the NIA website.

📋 A step-by-step guide to filling out the TWAC form on your smartphone or tablet

You can, of course, also apply for your TWAC using a mobile device. However, you should bear in mind that you cannot do this via an app. So, if you find a Taiwan Arrival Card app in the Google Play Store or Apple App Store, it is NOT an official app from Taiwan's National Immigration Agency.

If you would like to apply for your TWAC using your smartphone or tablet, the process is almost exactly the same as described above:

Step 1: Open a browser app of your choice on your mobile device, such as Chrome or Safari

Step 2: Load the official NIA website and open it

Step 3: Now tap “Submit Arrival Card” again in the top right corner

Step 4: Verify your email address now

Step 5: Next, fill in all the fields with your personal details and travel information

Step 6: Finally, confirm everything and you will receive your TWAC in PDF format via email

⏰ When do I need to apply for my Taiwan Arrival Card?

Unlike other countries such as Singapore, where the Arrival Card must be applied for within 7 days of arrival, Taiwan gives you a little more time. The NIA emphasises on its website that the TWAC must be created within 7 days prior to entering Taiwan.

The NIA provides a handy tool on their website. It displays the current 7-day window, so you'll always know exactly how long your TWAC is valid (from today's date up to and including 7 days from now) if you apply today.

🛃 Can I also apply for my Taiwan Arrival Card at the airport upon arrival?

Yes, you can do that, because you must have your Arrival Card BEFORE you reach the immigration desk. This means you still have time to create your TWAC from the moment you arrive at the gate in Taipei until you reach Taiwan Immigration. However, it is not advisable to wait until the last second. We therefore recommend that you actually create your TWAC a few days before your trip.

🛂 What are the other entry requirements for Taiwan?

When entering Taiwan, you will need a valid passport. A national identity card is not sufficient. British citizens do not require a visa if they can present a return travel document (e.g., a return flight booking) upon entry and are not staying in Taiwan for longer than 90 days. GOV.UK advises that you:

• You'll need a valid passport that's valid for at least another 6 months
• For children, a child's passport is required
• You'll need a visa IF you're travelling with a temporary passport

💡 Tips for your trip to Taiwan

To wrap things up, we’d like to give you a few travel tips for your trip to Taiwan. Regarding your Taiwan Arrival Card and your trip, you should keep the following in mind:

• Create your Taiwan Arrival Card online from home, saving yourself stress at the airport
• Make sure there are no typos and that your details match your passport
• The import of vapes and so-called vaping products into Taiwan is prohibited; the same applies to the use of these products.
• As is common practice when entering the country, Taiwanese border officials will take a photo of you and your fingerprints will be taken

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