Austrian passport holders must complete the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) before arriving in Taiwan. The TWAC is a free, mandatory digital entry declaration — not a visa — managed by Taiwan's National Immigration Agency. It takes 5–10 minutes, costs nothing, and must be submitted up to 7 days before you land.
Does Austria Need a TWAC?
Austrian citizens are required to complete the TWAC before entering Taiwan, regardless of how they enter — visa-free, on a visitor visa, or otherwise. This applies to every foreign national who does not hold a Taiwan Alien Resident Certificate (ARC) or Resident Visa.
The Taiwan Arrival Card replaced the old paper immigration form on October 1, 2025. There is no paper alternative — the online system at twac.immigration.gov.tw is the only accepted method. Once submitted, you receive a QR code by email. Immigration officers at Taoyuan or any other international port of entry scan your passport, which automatically retrieves your TWAC data from the system.
One point worth repeating: the TWAC is not a visa. Austrian citizens who qualify for visa-free entry still need to complete it. The two requirements are entirely separate.
Taiwan Arrival Card and Visa-Free Entry Rules for Austrian Passport Holders
Austrian citizens qualify for visa-free entry to Taiwan. The standard visa-free stay for Austrian passport holders is 90 days. No additional visa application is needed before departure — your Austrian passport, combined with a completed TWAC, covers your entry requirements for tourism, business visits, and short-term stays.
\[VERIFY] Confirm the exact visa-free duration and any conditions against the official National Immigration Agency records at twac.immigration.gov.tw before publishing, as entry rules can be updated without notice.
During your stay, you may not work without a separate work permit. If you plan to stay beyond your permitted period, you will need to apply for a visa extension through the appropriate Taiwan immigration channels before your initial period expires.
What to Prepare for Your Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)
Before you open the TWAC form, gather the following:
- Valid Austrian passport — your name in the form must match your passport exactly. A nickname or abbreviated name can cause problems at immigration.
- Email address — your QR code is sent here immediately after submission.
- Flight details — airline name, flight number, arrival date, and your port of entry (e.g., Taoyuan International Airport).
- Accommodation address — the full address of your hotel, Airbnb, or host. If staying with relatives or friends, you will also need their Taiwanese mobile phone number.
- Occupation and contact number — required fields on the form.
- Purpose of visit — tourism, business, transit, etc.
If you hold a Taiwan visitor visa rather than using visa-free entry, add your visa number and expiry date to that list. No document uploads are required during the online submission — physical documents are checked at the immigration desk on arrival.
How to Fill Out the Taiwan TWAC — Quick Steps for Austrian Travelers
The form follows a five-stage process on the official NIA portal:
- Email verification — enter your email address and confirm it.
- Traveler information — full legal name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and expiry date.
- Itinerary — flight number, airline, arrival date, port of entry, departure date, and purpose of visit. Add your full accommodation address here.
- Review — check every field against your passport and booking confirmation before proceeding.
- Confirmation — submit the form. Your QR code arrives by email within minutes.
Traveling with family? A single person can submit one TWAC for up to 16 travelers in the same form. Each traveler receives their own individual QR code.
For a full step-by-step walkthrough with screenshots, see our How to Apply guide.
When to Submit Your Taiwan Arrival Card
The submission window opens 7 days before your arrival date. The TWAC is valid for a single entry — each trip to Taiwan requires a fresh submission.
| Timing | Status |
|---|---|
| 7–3 days before arrival | Ideal — time to fix errors if needed |
| 2 days before | Fine — still room to correct mistakes |
| 24 hours before | Acceptable — but leaves little margin |
| Day of flight | Risky — some airlines check at check-in |
| After landing (no TWAC) | Avoid — kiosks exist at TPE and KHH but queues can be long |
Submit well ahead of your flight. Some airlines check TWAC completion at the departure gate and may deny boarding to travelers without a valid QR code. The form is editable at any point before you arrive, so submitting early does not lock you in — you can update accommodation details or other information right up until your departure.
For more detail on timing rules, see our submission timing page.
FAQ: Taiwan Arrival Card for Austrian Citizens
Do Austrian citizens need a Taiwan Arrival Card even if they qualify for visa-free entry? Austrian travelers on visa-free entry still need to complete the TWAC. Visa-free status covers your right to enter without a visa — it does not replace the arrival card. Every foreign national without a Taiwan ARC or Resident Visa must submit the TWAC before arriving.
How long can Austrian citizens stay in Taiwan visa-free?
Austrian passport holders are eligible for a visa-free stay of up to 90 days. \[VERIFY against twac.immigration.gov.tw and Taiwan MOFA before publishing.] This applies to tourism and short-term business visits. Working in Taiwan during a visa-free stay requires a separate work permit.
Is there a fee to submit the Taiwan Arrival Card?
The TWAC is completely free to submit at the official National Immigration Agency portal at twac.immigration.gov.tw. Some third-party websites charge for this service, but it is unnecessary — the form takes 5–10 minutes and costs nothing directly through the NIA.
What happens if I make a mistake on my TWAC?
You can edit your Taiwan Arrival Card at any time before you arrive in Taiwan. Return to twac.immigration.gov.tw, select the update option, and correct the relevant fields. Common errors include entering a nickname instead of a full legal name, or mistyping a passport number — both can cause delays at immigration.
Can one Austrian traveler submit the TWAC for their whole family?
One person can complete a single TWAC submission for up to 16 travelers. Each family member will receive their own individual QR code by email. You will need every traveler's passport details, email address, and accommodation information to complete the group submission.
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