Taiwan extends arrival card submission window from 3 days to 7 days before travel

The change gives air and sea travelers a full week to submit the mandatory online form, which was previously limited to a three-day window

Travelers heading to Taiwan now have a full week to fill out the country's mandatory digital arrival card before they arrive, after authorities widened the submission window from three days to seven. The update is reflected on the official TWAC (Taiwan Arrival Card) portal.

The TWAC was first introduced in October 2025 as a way to collect traveler information digitally ahead of immigration processing. It is not a substitute for a visa where one is needed, but it is a compulsory entry step that must be completed before reaching the border, whether arriving by air or by sea.

What the form involves

The TWAC collects personal details, passport information, the purpose of the visit, flight or vessel details, and accommodation information in Taiwan. The portal is available in English, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, Indonesian, Vietnamese, and Thai, and the process starts with an email verification step before moving on to the traveler's personal and trip details.

One practical feature is that the system lets users add multiple people within a single submission, which is handy for families or small groups traveling on the same itinerary.

After the form goes through, an electronic confirmation document is sent to the email address provided. Travelers should hold onto this and make sure they are carrying the latest version if they made any edits before going through immigration.

What happens if plans change

If something in the booking changes or a mistake needs correcting, the TWAC can be updated at any point before document checks at immigration. To make changes, travelers will need the electronic document number, their date of birth, passport number, and nationality on hand.

Who needs to fill it out

The TWAC applies primarily to foreign nationals entering Taiwan on a visitor visa or under a visa-exemption arrangement. It also covers certain travelers from Hong Kong, Macao, and mainland China who hold multiple-entry permits, along with some Taiwan nationals without household registration who do not hold a resident certificate.

Those who do not need to worry about the TWAC include holders of an Alien Resident Certificate (ARC), a resident visa, or a diplomatic ID card. Beyond those clear exemptions, travelers should verify their own requirements based on their nationality, travel document, immigration status, and reason for visiting.