TAIWAN: Digital arrivals card for Australian visitors

From October 1, Taiwan will become another Asian destination requiring Australians to complete a digital Arrival Card, called the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), before immigration will let you through.

Another country, another form

Taiwan joins Singapore, Malaysia, and Thailand as part of the growing club of Asian countries scrapping paper arrival slips. Taiwan will demand that almost every visitor, including Australians, complete the new online form.

The TWAC must be filled in and submitted within 72 hours before your flight lands in Taiwan. With free Wi-Fi and kiosks at the airport, officials will let you sort it out on arrival. You can even still fill in a paper card in ‘exceptional situations’ according to a spokesperson from Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency.

For those of us who have completed these digital forms, it is far more convenient than scrambling for a pen on board and filling in the form before the seatbelt sign goes on.

What information is required

Unlike some of the newly introduced e-visas, Taiwan’s new digital arrivals card is free. It also requires minimal information – just passport details, contact information and flight and accommodation specifics. If travelling in a group of up to 16 travellers, one person can submit on behalf of the group.

Step-by-Step to fill in the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)

1. Go Online
   Head to Taiwan’s official National Immigration Agency website (or scan the QR code often provided by airlines before boarding).
2. Choose ‘Arrival Card‘
   Select the English option if Mandarin isn’t your strong suit.
3. Enter your email address, and receive a varification code, which you will need to enter before proceeding. (Check spam folder. Residents of mainland China using an Chinese based email provider are warned that they may not be able to receive the varification email.
4. Enter Personal Details
   • Passport number
   • Full name (must match passport)
   • Date of birth and nationality
5. Provide Travel Information
   • Flight number
   • Date of arrival
   • Accommodation address (hotel name or local contact)
6. Add Contact Information
   • Email and phone number
   • Emergency contact (optional)
7. Travelling in a Group?
   Nominate one person to fill in the details for up to 16 travellers on the same itinerary.
8. Submit & Save
   Once complete, you’ll get an email digital confirmation. You may want to keep a screenshot or printout handy as a back up, since immigration officers will already have it in their system.

The government says it’s all about streamlining immigration. For travellers, it means one less bit of paper to juggle between your passport, boarding pass, and that duty-free receipt you’re pretending isn’t there.

Getting to Taiwan

Australians have a few options for flying to Taiwan. China Airlines and Eva Air, both Taiwanese carriers, fly direct between Australia and Taipei. Cathay Pacific offers a one-stop service via Hong Kong, which is ideal if you want to travel directly to Taichung or Kaohsiung in Taiwan.

In the future, Starlux Airlines may be an option, since the premium airline is eyeing Australia for future expansion.

2PAXfly Takeout

Taiwan’s new arrivals card is another example of travel’s tediously slow march into the digital age. It’s free, seems simple, and is available right up until your arrival in Taipei.

These digital arrival cards, along with e-Visa, are becoming ubiquitous for country entry. Get used to it, and don’t lose your digital device onboard!