Taiwan is joining a growing list of countries in the region to implement a mandatory digital arrival card system, which will replace the old paper landing cards that used to be distributed on flights prior to landing.

This follows a trend we’ve seen in other Asian destinations like Thailand, Malaysia, Indonesia, and even here in Singapore itself.

This new system, known as the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), has actually been running for some time and is already used voluntarily by about 70% of travellers, but from 1st October 2025 it becomes compulsory for all.

What is the Taiwan Digital Arrival Card?

The TWAC is an online form that collects basic traveller information for immigration purposes, including personal details, travel itinerary, and accommodation in Taiwan.

It’s designed to capture the same information as the old paper forms, but digitally for efficiency. The TWAC is free of charge – don’t be scammed by sites charging a fee for the service, which should only take you 3-5 minutes to complete.

Once submitted, you’ll receive a confirmation email with an electronic document and a barcode. However, you won’t need to show the barcode at immigration – officers can retrieve your data simply by scanning your passport.

 SUBMIT ARRIVAL CARD

The system supports English, with instructions available in multiple languages including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese and Thai.

Who needs to complete the TWAC?

If you’re entering Taiwan and would have previously filled out a paper landing card, you’ll need to submit the TWAC. This includes:

• Foreign nationals on visa-exempt entry (e.g., Singaporeans, Australians, US and UK citizens)
• Visitors with short-term visas for tourism or business
• Hong Kong and Macao residents holding multiple-entry permits
• Mainland Chinese with multiple-entry tourist permits
• Taiwanese citizens without local household registration

Exemptions apply to those with long-term residency status, such as Taiwan ID or residency card holders, Resident Visa or ARC holders, and diplomatic passport holders.

Transit passengers who remain in the airport’s transit area and do not pass through immigration are also exempt.

Note that TWAC doesn’t replace any visa requirements – it’s purely for arrival registration.

How to complete the TWAC

You can fill out the form on the official TWAC portal: https://twac.immigration.gov.tw.

It’s available on both mobile and desktop, with the desktop version allowing group submissions for up to 16 people.

Here’s a step-by-step guide based on the official user manual:

1. Start the process: Visit the portal and click “Submit Arrival Card” Read the notice and click “Start”.
2. Email verification: Enter your email address, request a verification code (valid for ten minutes), enter it, and verify.
3. Enter traveller information:
   • Provide passport details, nationality, visa type (e.g. Visa-Exempt or specific visa with number), occupation (include job title if “Other”), and email.
   • For ROC (Taiwan) nationals, select permit type.
   • Upload a photo of your passport bio-data page for automatic filling (optional, but recommended).
   • Add up to 10 travellers manually on mobile, or import an Excel file for up to 16 travellers on desktop devices.
4. Enter travel details:
   • Input flight number (or ship details), expected departure date, purpose of visit (e.g., “Tourism,” “Business,” “Visit Relative” – with extra details if needed), and accommodation (hotel name or address in Taiwan).
   • For groups, check “Same as Lead Traveller” where applicable.
5. Confirm and submit: Review all information, check the declaration box, and submit. You’ll get an instant confirmation email with the electronic document and barcode.
6. Updates if needed: If your travel plans change, click “Update Arrival Card” on the portal, enter your Arrival Card Number, Date of Birth, Passport Number, and Nationality to edit and resubmit.
7. Keep the confirmation email: Either as a hard or soft copy – immigration officers may request you to present the confirmation e-mail for further verification if needed.

When can you complete the TWAC?

You can complete the TWAC on the day of arrival or up to two days before your arrival date – for example, if arriving on 4th October, you can submit from 2nd October onwards.

If you forget, QR codes linking to the application portal should be displayed during flights and at ports of origin, and free Wi-Fi plus assistance devices will be available at arrival airports like Taoyuan International.

Paper forms will still be offered in exceptional cases, like technical issues, but generally speaking all passengers will be expected to have a TWAC from 1st October 2025 onwards – even those without mobile devices.

Singapore – Taiwan flights

The busy Singapore – Taipei route sees 72 weekly flights in each direction by five airlines, based on schedules for the first week of October 2025:

• China Airlines (14/wk)
• EVA Air (14/wk)
• Scoot (23/wk)
• Singapore Airlines (14/wk)
• Starlux (7/wk)

Additionally, there are some non-stop flights between Singapore and Kaohsiung:

• China Airlines (3/wk)

Taiwan is moving to a fully digital arrival card from 1st October 2025, in common with many countries in the region, so be sure to plan ahead to ensure smooth entry.

If you’re like me and have dealt with similar systems in Thailand, Malaysia and Indonesia, this should feel familiar – quick and straightforward and something that shouldn’t add much hassle to your trip.

(Cover Photo: Shutterstock)