TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Taiwan’s National Immigration Agency (NIA) announced that starting Oct. 1, international travelers must complete the country’s arrival card online, as the current paper-based form will be discontinued.

The shift to digital forms is part of a broader initiative to streamline immigration procedures and reduce paper consumption, aligning Taiwan’s entry process with international standards, according to the agency.

Travelers must complete the arrival card through the agency’s designated website, Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), within three days prior to arrival. The platform supports Mandarin and English input, with instructional guides available in seven languages, including Mandarin, English, Japanese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian, per CTEE and CNA.

Secretariat official Lin Tse-chien (林澤謙) said the agency has received positive feedback since launching the revamped TWAC interface on May 5. In addition to design improvements, the system now allows travelers to upload a photo of their passport’s bio page to automatically populate personal details.

To accommodate families and group travelers, the system enables a single individual to submit arrival information for up to 16 people. Upon successful submission, a confirmation email is sent to the user’s designated address.

For travelers who have not completed the form in advance, the agency has coordinated with airlines and shipping companies to display QR code posters at check-in counters in airports and seaports. These travelers will be required to complete the form online before proceeding.

The agency added that users can review or edit their information before arrival if necessary. It said the TWAC system will offer travelers a smoother entry and help build a more efficient, welcoming gateway to Taiwan.