Japanese passport holders need to complete the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) before entering Taiwan. The TWAC is a free, mandatory online entry declaration β not a visa β required for nearly all foreign visitors, including those entering visa-free. Submit it up to 7 days before arrival at twac.immigration.gov.tw, and you'll receive a QR code by email instantly.
Does Japan Need a TWAC?
Japanese citizens are required to complete the Taiwan Arrival Card before entering Taiwan. The TWAC applies to visa-exempt travelers just as much as it does to visa holders β your eligibility for visa-free entry doesn't exempt you from the declaration requirement.
The TWAC is not a visa and has no bearing on whether you're allowed to enter Taiwan. It's a separate, mandatory entry declaration run by Taiwan's National Immigration Agency. Every Japanese passport holder arriving as a foreign national β without an Alien Resident Certificate, Resident Visa, or Diplomatic ID card β must submit one.
Taiwan Arrival Card and Visa-Free Entry Rules for Japanese Passport Holders
Japanese citizens qualify for 90 days of visa-free entry into Taiwan. No visa application is required before travel.
That said, your TWAC must still be completed online before arrival. The two requirements are entirely separate: the visa-free arrangement covers your right to enter; the Taiwan Arrival Card is the entry declaration you submit to confirm your travel details.
A few standard conditions apply to visa-free entry:
- Your passport must be valid for the duration of your stay
- You'll need proof of onward or return travel
- Accommodation details and sufficient funds (generally around NT$2,000β3,000 per day) may be checked at immigration
Note: Verify current visa-free conditions at twac.immigration.gov.tw or Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before travel, as entry terms can change.
What to Prepare for Your Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC)
Before opening the form, have the following ready:
- Valid Japanese passport β your name on the TWAC must match your passport exactly; a nickname will cause problems at immigration
- Flight details β airline name, flight number, arrival date, and port of entry
- Accommodation address β full hotel name and address; if staying with relatives, you'll need their full name and a Taiwanese mobile number
- Your email address β your QR code is sent here immediately after submission
- Occupation and phone number β required fields on the form
- Visa number and expiry date β only if you're entering on a visa rather than visa-free
No document uploads are required. All physical documents are presented in person at immigration on arrival.
How to Fill Out the Taiwan TWAC β Quick Steps for Japanese Travelers
The form takes around 5β10 minutes to complete. Here's how it works:
- Go to the official portal β visit twac.immigration.gov.tw and select your preferred language. The TWAC is available in Japanese, making it straightforward for Japanese travelers.
- Verify your email β enter your email address and confirm it before proceeding
- Enter traveler information β full legal name, date of birth, nationality, passport number, and contact details
- Add your itinerary β flight number, arrival date, port of entry, departure date, and purpose of visit
- Enter accommodation details β hotel address or relative's contact information
- Review and submit β check all fields carefully before confirming
- Save your QR code β a confirmation email arrives immediately; save the QR code to your phone or print a copy
Traveling as a group? One person can submit a single TWAC for up to 16 travelers.
For a more detailed walkthrough, see the step-by-step application guide.
When to Submit Your Taiwan Arrival Card
The TWAC submission window opens 7 days before your arrival date. The window was extended from 3 days to 7 days in June 2026, giving travelers more flexibility.
Here's how timing affects your submission:
| When you submit | What it means |
|---|---|
| 7β3 days before | Ideal β plenty of time to fix errors |
| 2 days before | Good β still enough time to correct mistakes |
| 24 hours before | Acceptable β but leaves little room if something goes wrong |
| Day of flight | Risky β some airlines check TWAC status at check-in |
| After landing | Avoid β kiosks exist at TPE and KHH but queues can be long |
One important point: your QR code is valid from the moment you receive it. There's no advantage to waiting until the last day. Submitting early also means you can edit your TWAC anytime before arrival if your accommodation or flight details change.
FAQ: Taiwan Arrival Card for Japanese Citizens
Do Japanese citizens need to complete the Taiwan Arrival Card even with visa-free entry?
Japanese passport holders must complete the TWAC regardless of how they're entering Taiwan. Visa-exempt travelers are not exempt from the declaration β the Taiwan Arrival Card is a separate requirement from visa status and applies to nearly all foreign nationals arriving in Taiwan.
Is the Taiwan Arrival Card free for Japanese travelers?
The TWAC is completely free to complete at the official National Immigration Agency portal, twac.immigration.gov.tw. Some third-party sites may charge a service fee to assist with submission, but the government form itself carries no cost.
How long can Japanese citizens stay in Taiwan without a visa?
Japanese passport holders are eligible for up to 90 days of visa-free entry into Taiwan. Verify current entry conditions at the official portal or Taiwan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs before departure, as terms are subject to change.
Can Japanese travelers complete the TWAC in Japanese?
The Taiwan Arrival Card form is available in Japanese, along with English, Traditional Chinese, Korean, Thai, Vietnamese, and Indonesian. Select your preferred language at the start of the process at twac.immigration.gov.tw.
What happens if a Japanese traveler forgets to submit the TWAC before the flight?
Some airlines may deny boarding to passengers who haven't completed their TWAC before departure. If you arrive without one, self-service kiosks are available at Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) and Kaohsiung International Airport (KHH) β but queues can be long during busy periods. Completing the form at least 24β48 hours before your flight eliminates this risk entirely.
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