Taoyuan Entry Requirements
Visa, immigration, and customs information
-
Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC), online
- Who
- Foreign visitors entering Taiwan
- When
- Within three days before arrival
- Cost
- Free
Since 1 October 2025 the online Taiwan Arrival Card has replaced all paper arrival cards. Taiwan's National Immigration Agency warns that any website charging a fee is not an official government website.
Checked against the official source 2026-09-26
Visa Requirements
Entry permissions vary by nationality. Find your category below.
Taiwan's visa policy varies by nationality. Some enter without a visa. Others need electronic travel authorization. Some apply through a diplomatic office before departure. Permitted stays differ. Entry conditions differ. Application processes differ. Check Taiwan's National Immigration Agency website directly. Get current, nationality-specific information there.
Certain nationalities enter Taiwan without advance visas. Eligibility and permitted stay depend on your passport. Not everyone qualifies. Terms can change fast.
Visa-free entry still requires the Taiwan Arrival Card online. Your passport needs six months validity typically. Requirements may vary. The National Immigration Agency website lists current qualifying nationalities and durations.
Taiwan offers electronic pre-authorization for some nationalities. All foreign visitors must complete the Taiwan Arrival Card online. Submit through the National Immigration Agency's official portal within three days before arrival. The arrival card is free. It is mandatory. It is separate from any visa. Taiwan's National Immigration Agency warns against fee-charging sites. Those are not official.
Cost: The Taiwan Arrival Card is free. Other electronic authorization costs vary. Confirm through official channels.
The online Taiwan Arrival Card replaced paper versions in October 2025. Complete it before boarding. Immigration officers at Taoyuan will check for it. For electronic travel authorization or e-visa beyond the arrival card, the official immigration website shows eligibility and process by nationality.
Some nationalities lack visa-free or electronic authorization access. They must apply through a Taiwan diplomatic mission or representative office before traveling.
Visa holders must still complete the Taiwan Arrival Card online before arrival. Some travelers need additional documentation at entry. Confirm current requirements with the issuing office. Rules can shift.
Arrival Process
Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport arrivals are well-organized. Understand the steps in advance. The airport handles high international volumes. Immigration processing is methodical. Have your paperwork ready. Complete the online Taiwan Arrival Card. This prevents unnecessary delays.
Documents to Have Ready
Tips for Smooth Entry
Customs & Duty-Free
Taiwan's customs regulations apply to all travelers arriving through Taoyuan. The system uses a red and green channel approach, and the rules on what you can bring in without declaration are reasonably clear-cut. That said, certain items carry strict restrictions or outright prohibitions, and penalties for violations can be significant. If you are unsure whether something you are carrying needs to be declared, use the red channel and ask. It is always better to declare voluntarily and be cleared than to be caught in the green channel with undeclared goods. Ask first.
Prohibited Items
- Illegal narcotics and controlled substances, which carry severe penalties in Taiwan including lengthy imprisonment. Do not risk it.
- Counterfeit currency, securities, or goods infringing on intellectual property rights. Leave these behind.
- Firearms, ammunition, and weapons without prior authorization from relevant authorities. Obtain permits first.
- Unlicensed gambling devices and lottery tickets issued outside Taiwan
- Products from endangered species, including ivory and certain animal parts covered under CITES, without proper permits. Skip souvenirs.
- Soil, live plants with soil attached, and certain fresh fruits from regions with known pest or disease risks, as part of Taiwan's agricultural biosecurity controls. Clean your shoes.
- Publications or media deemed to violate Taiwan's laws on public order
Restricted Items
- Prescription medications in quantities exceeding personal use, which may require a doctor's letter and original prescription documentation. Carry documentation.
- Fresh meat, animal products, and certain agricultural items, which are subject to inspection and may require quarantine certificates from the country of origin. Declare these items.
- Radio equipment, telecommunications devices, and certain electronics that may require approval from Taiwan's regulatory authorities
- Pets and live animals, which require advance permits, health certificates, and may face quarantine upon arrival
Health Requirements
Taiwan does not impose extensive health documentation requirements on most arriving travelers. But there are a few points worth knowing before you fly into Taoyuan. Vaccination requirements are minimal for most visitors, though what you need may depend on where you have traveled recently.
Required Vaccinations
- A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required if you are arriving from, or have recently transited through, a country where yellow fever is endemic. This is in line with international health regulations and may be checked at the port of entry.
Recommended Vaccinations
- Hepatitis A, given the potential for food and water exposure across parts of Asia
- Hepatitis B, for longer stays or if you might need medical treatment during your visit
- Japanese Encephalitis, mainly relevant if you plan to spend time in rural or agricultural areas of Taiwan
- Routine vaccinations including measles-mumps-rubella, diphtheria-tetanus-pertussis, and seasonal influenza, kept up to date per your home country's schedule
Health Insurance
Taiwan does not typically require proof of health insurance for short-term tourist entry. But carrying complete travel health insurance is strongly advisable. Medical care in Taiwan is generally of a high standard. But costs for uninsured foreign visitors can add up, and emergency evacuation coverage is worth considering for any international trip.
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Important Contacts
Essential resources for your trip.
Special Situations
Additional requirements for specific circumstances.
If you are traveling with a minor who is not your biological child, or if only one parent is present, carrying documentation of your legal guardianship or a notarized letter of consent from the absent parent is advisable. While Taiwan does not always enforce this at entry, immigration officers may ask questions, and having paperwork ready avoids complications. Each child needs their own passport and a completed Taiwan Arrival Card.
Bringing a pet into Taiwan through Taoyuan requires advance planning. You will generally need an import permit from Taiwan's Bureau of Animal and Plant Health Inspection and Quarantine, a veterinary health certificate issued shortly before departure, and proof of current rabies vaccination. Some animals may be subject to quarantine upon arrival. The process and required documentation vary by species and country of origin, so contact the quarantine authority well in advance.
If you plan to stay in Taiwan longer than your initial permitted period, options may include visa extensions through the National Immigration Agency, applying for a different visa category, or in some cases an Alien Resident Certificate for longer-term arrangements tied to work, study, or family. Overstaying your permitted period carries penalties including fines and potential entry bans. Check the National Immigration Agency website for extension procedures and eligibility before your initial stay expires.
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