Touchdown made easy: Taiwan goes digital with new arrival card for smoother travel

From October 1, Taiwan will embrace a significant shift in its immigration process by launching the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), replacing the traditional paper-based arrival cards.

This transition marks a modernisation of procedures and aims to elevate the experience for international travellers.

All visitors to Taiwan are now required to complete their TWAC online within three days before arrival, a move designed to reduce waiting times and improve overall efficiency at immigration checkpoints.

Currently, the official portal is live, allowing travellers to submit either the digital application or the paper card until September 30. From October 1, the digital format will become mandatory.

The TWAC process is designed to be user-friendly, requiring email verification during registration and ultimately facilitating a faster immigration clearance experience.

Travellers can easily retrieve pre-filled information by simply scanning their passports, which significantly enhances both speed and accuracy.

This new digital requirement aligns Taiwan with other forward-thinking Southeast Asian destinations, such as Malaysia's MDAC and Thailand's TDAC, that have already implemented similar systems to streamline their arrival procedures.

As part of a broader initiative by the Taiwan National Immigration Agency (NIA) to refine and modernise the country's border management, the TWAC will be a requirement for all international travellers without resident status, including tourists, business visitors, and short-term entrants.

The online form simplifies the amount of information previously gathered on paper, with key details including:

• Passport details
• Flight or ship number
• Expected arrival date
• Address and contact details during stay
• Purpose of visit (eg, tourism, business)

Upon submission of the TWAC, travellers will receive a confirmation email containing a QR code.

At most immigration checkpoints, officers will scan their passports, allowing for an automatic retrieval of personal information from the TWAC system, making the arrival process significantly quicker.

For those who forget to complete the online form in advance, assistance at airport kiosks will be readily available.

By introducing a more intuitive interface designed specifically for ease of use, Taiwan is positioning itself strategically within a competitive travel market.

This shift simplifies the process and resonates with global trends, aligning Taiwan with the evolving landscape of international travel.