What you cannot do with a Taiwan Arrival Card

TWAC does NOT permit you to:

  • Engage in work, whether paid or unpaid, for any Taiwan-based company or as a self- employed individual. This means you cannot take on a job, volunteer for a company, or operate your own business while in Taiwan under visa-exempt status with a TWAC.
  • Claim or receive public funds or benefits offered by the Taiwanese government. The TWAC is for temporary entry and does not grant you the rights of residents or citizens who are eligible for public assistance.
  • Establish residency in Taiwan through frequent or successive short The TWAC is for short-term stays. Attempting to live in Taiwan by repeatedly entering and exiting on a visa- exempt basis (even with a TWAC for each entry) is not permitted and can lead to issues with immigration.
  • Get married or register a civil partnership in Taiwan, or give formal notice of your intention to do These actions typically require a different visa category that is specifically for marriage purposes.

    What you CANNOT do with a Taiwan Online Arrival Card:

    • Enter Taiwan if you require a visa: The TWAC is not a visa and does not grant you the right to enter Taiwan if your nationality requires a visa for your intended purpose and duration of stay. You must still apply for and obtain the necessary visa before traveling. Think of the TWAC as a supplementary step for certain travelers, not a replacement for the fundamental entry
    • Stay in Taiwan beyond the permitted duration of your visa exemption (if applicable): If you are from a visa-exempt country, the TWAC does not extend the length of your permitted stay. You are still bound by the duration specified in Taiwan’s visa exemption policy for your
    • Engage in activities that are not permitted under visa-free entry (if applicable): Even with a completed TWAC, you cannot engage in activities that are not allowed under the visa-free program for your nationality. These restrictions typically include things like long-term employment, formal study (beyond short-term courses), or other activities that require a specific
    • Guarantee entry into Taiwan: While the TWAC helps expedite the process, the final decision on whether to grant you entry always rests with the immigration officers at the port of arrival. They have the authority to ask further questions and may deny entry if they have concerns.
    • Replace other required travel documents: You will still need to present your valid passport and any other documents that may be required by the airline or Taiwanese authorities (such as proof of onward travel).
    • Apply for or extend a visa while in Taiwan: The TWAC is for pre-arrival notification only. It does not grant you any rights or privileges related to applying for or extending a visa once you are already in .

    The Taiwan Online Arrival Card (TWAC) is not a replacement for a visa:

    • Visas: A visa is a separate document. These are official permissions that allow you to enter Taiwan for specific reasons (like work, long-term study, or if your country doesn’t have a visa- free agreement with Taiwan) and for a set amount of If you need a visa, getting one is the first and most important step. The TWAC cannot be used instead of a required visa.

    TWAC (Taiwan Online Arrival Card): This is an online form that foreign visitors need to fill out before traveling to Taiwan. It helps speed up the immigration process when you arrive.

    • For Visa-Exempt Travelers: If your country has a visa-free agreement with Taiwan for short visits (like tourism or short business trips), you need to complete the TWAC before your In this case, the TWAC is a requirement for your visa-free entry.
    • For Some Visa Holders: Even if you have already obtained a visa for Taiwan, you still be required to fill out the TWAC before you travel.

    The reason you can’t use the TWAC instead of a visa is that the visa grants you the right to enter for a specific purpose and duration, while the TWAC simply provides your arrival information in advance.

    !!!! To get accurate information, you should always refer to the official website of the Taiwan Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) or the Bureau of Consular Affairs (BOCA) for visa requirements based on your nationality and the purpose of your visit. They will provide the most up-to-date information on visa-exempt countries and the requirements for different types of visas.