Taoyuan International Airport (TPE) is Taiwan’s main international gateway and the arrival point for most international flights. If you are flying into Taiwan, you will most likely land at Taoyuan. This guide covers how the Taiwan Arrival Card (TWAC) works at Taoyuan Airport, what to expect when you land, and how to get through immigration quickly.
Taiwan Arrival Card at Taoyuan Airport: Overview
Taoyuan International Airport handles the majority of Taiwan’s international flights. Located about 40 kilometers west of central Taipei, it has two terminals (Terminal 1 and Terminal 2) connected by a free shuttle bus.
When you arrive at Taoyuan, your TWAC is checked at immigration. The TWAC must be submitted online before arrival at twac.immigration.gov.tw. Taiwan immigration officers verify your TWAC using your passport number in their system.
If you do not have a pre-submitted TWAC, kiosks are available in the arrival hall before immigration. However, submitting in advance saves time.
Before You Land: TWAC Submission Checklist
Before your flight lands at Taoyuan, confirm:
| Item | Status |
|---|---|
| TWAC submitted | At twac.immigration.gov.tw within 7 days |
| Confirmation email received | QR code saved on phone or printed |
| Passport valid | At least 6 months from arrival date |
| Flight details correct | TWAC matches your arriving flight |
| Accommodation ready | Hotel name and address filled in TWAC |
If any item is missing or incorrect, you can resubmit the TWAC using your phone before landing (airplane wifi or airport wifi at the connecting city). Resubmitting with the same passport number replaces the previous submission.
Arriving at Taoyuan Airport: Step by Step
Step 1: Deplane
When your flight arrives at Taoyuan, follow the signs for Arrivals and then Immigration. The walk from the gate to immigration takes 5-10 minutes depending on your arrival gate.
Step 2: Prepare Your Documents
Have these ready before reaching the immigration queue:
- Your passport (open to the photo page)
- Your TWAC QR code on your phone (or printed)
Some airlines hand out paper arrival cards on the plane. You can ignore these – the digital TWAC replaces the paper card. Proceed directly to immigration with your passport and QR code.
Step 3: Choose Your Immigration Lane
Taoyuan Airport offers two immigration options:
e-Gate (automated gates):
- Available for passport holders aged 14+ from eligible countries (US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, most EU nations, and others)
- Scan your biometric passport at the gate
- Look at the camera for face verification
- Walk through – clearance takes under 1 minute
- Registration is free and done on-site at the e-Gate area
Staffed immigration counter:
- Required for: children under 14, non-biometric passport holders, nationalities not eligible for e-Gate
- Present your passport to the officer
- The officer may ask to see your TWAC QR code
- The officer stamps your passport with your allowed stay duration
- Process takes 2-5 minutes per person, longer during peak hours
Step 4: Collect Your Luggage
After clearing immigration, follow signs to Baggage Claim. Monitor the screens for your flight number to find the correct carousel. Luggage carts are free and available throughout the baggage hall.
Step 5: Pass Through Customs
After collecting your luggage:
- Green channel: Nothing to declare (most tourists)
- Red channel: Items to declare (large amounts of cash over $10,000 USD equivalent, restricted goods, excess alcohol or tobacco)
Customs officers may randomly select travelers for luggage inspection.
Step 6: Exit to the Arrival Hall
Once through customs, you are in the arrival hall where you can find:
- Currency exchange counters
- SIM card and phone shops (Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, FarEasTone)
- Transportation counters (bus tickets, taxi, car rental)
- Information desks
- TWAC kiosks (for travelers who need to submit on arrival)
Taoyuan Airport TWAC Kiosks
If you arrive without a pre-submitted TWAC, Taoyuan Airport provides:
Tablet kiosks:
- Located in the arrival hall before the immigration counters
- Self-service tablets with the TWAC form
- Multiple language options available
- Takes about 5 minutes to complete
- Submit and receive a confirmation number to present at immigration
QR code posters:
- Posted near immigration counters and in the arrival hall
- Scan with your phone camera to open the mobile TWAC portal
- Complete the form on your phone
- Show confirmation to the immigration officer
Using a kiosk or QR code on arrival adds 10-15 minutes to your immigration process. Pre-submission is strongly recommended.
Terminal Information at Taoyuan Airport
Terminal 1:
- China Airlines, EVA Air (some flights), and several other airlines
- Arrival hall has TWAC kiosks, currency exchange, SIM card shops
- Connected to Terminal 2 by free shuttle bus (5 minutes)
Terminal 2:
- EVA Air (main hub), Starlux, Cathay Pacific, and other airlines
- Arrival hall has TWAC kiosks, currency exchange, SIM card shops
- Connected to Terminal 1 by free shuttle bus
Terminal 3 (newer, opened recently):
- Additional capacity for international arrivals
- Same TWAC and immigration procedures as other terminals
Check your airline to know which terminal you will arrive at.
Getting from Taoyuan Airport to Taipei
After clearing immigration and customs, you have several transportation options to central Taipei:
| Option | Duration | Cost (approx.) | Where to Board |
|---|---|---|---|
| Airport MRT | 35-40 min | NT$160 ($5 USD) | B1 level of both terminals |
| Bus (Kuo-Kuang 1819) | 50-60 min | NT$125 ($4 USD) | Ground floor bus stops |
| Bus (other operators) | 50-70 min | NT$90-150 | Ground floor bus stops |
| Taxi | 40-60 min | NT$1,000-1,200 ($30-40 USD) | Taxi stand outside arrival hall |
| Uber/ride-sharing | 40-60 min | NT$800-1,500 | Designated pickup area |
| Private car transfer | 40-60 min | NT$1,200-2,000 | Pre-booked, meets you at arrival |
The Airport MRT is the most popular option. It runs every 15 minutes and connects directly to Taipei Main Station, where you can transfer to the Taipei MRT metro system.
SIM card tip: Buy a prepaid tourist SIM card at the airport arrival hall before leaving. Chunghwa Telecom, Taiwan Mobile, and FarEasTone all offer tourist packages with unlimited data starting around NT$300-500 ($10-16 USD) for 3-5 days. This gives you mobile data for maps, translation, and communication during your trip.
Common Issues at Taoyuan Airport Immigration
Long queues during peak hours:
- Peak arrival times: 6:00-9:00 AM, 12:00-2:00 PM, 5:00-8:00 PM
- Use e-Gate to bypass the queue if eligible
- Submit TWAC in advance to speed up processing
No TWAC submitted:
- Use kiosks in the arrival hall (adds 10-15 minutes)
- Not an immigration violation, just a delay
Passport validity issue:
- Less than 6 months from arrival date = potential entry denial
- Airlines check this before boarding; Taiwan immigration checks again
Name mismatch between TWAC and passport:
- The immigration officer may question you if names do not match
- Resubmit the TWAC with the correct name if possible
Lost QR code:
- The TWAC is linked to your passport in the system
- Officers can verify your submission using your passport number
- Having the QR code just speeds things up
Taoyuan Airport Amenities for Arriving Passengers
After clearing customs, the arrival hall offers:
- Currency exchange: Multiple counters (rates are reasonable at the airport)
- ATMs: Accept international Visa, Mastercard, JCB
- SIM card shops: Open during all flight arrival hours
- Free WiFi: Available throughout the airport (connect to “Airport Free WiFi”)
- Restaurants and convenience stores: 7-Eleven and food courts in the public area
- Hotels: Transit hotel inside the airport for layovers
- Luggage storage: Available for travelers exploring before checking into accommodation
Frequently Asked Questions About TWAC at Taoyuan Airport
Related Resources
For a complete overview of the Taiwan Arrival Card, visit our Taiwan Arrival Card FAQ.
For what you need before traveling, read our Taiwan Arrival Card Requirements guide.
For tourists planning their trip, see our Taiwan Arrival Card for Tourism guide.
For US citizens with specific questions, check our Taiwan Arrival Card for US Citizens guide.
