What is the story about?
What's Happening?
Starting October 1, Taiwan will require travelers to complete their Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) online before arriving, eliminating the need for paper arrival cards. This policy, announced by the National Immigration Agency (NIA), applies to foreign nationals entering Taiwan with a visitor visa or under the visa-exemption program, as well as certain residents from Hong Kong, Macao, and China. The online system will send a confirmation email to travelers and automatically retrieve their TWAC data when an immigration officer scans their passport. Devices are being installed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to allow travelers without mobile phones to fill out the form electronically.
Why It's Important?
The shift to an online arrival card system is expected to streamline the immigration process, reducing wait times and improving efficiency at Taiwan's airports. This change reflects a broader trend towards digitalization in immigration procedures, which can enhance security and convenience for travelers. By eliminating paper cards, Taiwan is also taking a step towards more sustainable practices. However, travelers must ensure they complete the online form in advance to avoid delays or issues at immigration checkpoints.
What's Next?
As the new system is implemented, travelers to Taiwan will need to adapt to the online process and ensure they complete the TWAC up to three days before arrival. The NIA will continue to monitor the system's effectiveness and may make adjustments based on user feedback and operational needs. The success of this initiative could influence other countries to adopt similar digital immigration processes.
AI Generated Content
Do you find this article useful?
