Global Entry Members have another option for expedited access in a foreign country, in this case Taiwan. Unfortunately, there are some pretty significant “but’s” that accompany this offering. First, this option only applies to Global Entry members that are US Citizens. Additionally, there is an application process, and a fee required. Unfortunately, this isn’t as easy as Australia, among a few other places, where travelers with a biometric passport are able to use the automated kiosks without any advance registration. I’ve previously discussed several options for expedited screening for foreigners. Here are some of these:
Taiwan has e-Gates intended for use by citizens and residents, but there are also a few options for others to use them. There is more information from the Taiwan immigration site here. Now due to a new deal with US Customs and Border Protection, US Citizens have access to e-Gates in Taiwan. Additionally, Taiwan passport holders can apply for Global Entry. Here is a quote from the CBP press release:
“CBP is pleased to offer our flagship Trusted Traveler Program to Taiwan passport holders and we are honored that the United States is the first country to benefit from membership in Taiwan’s e-Gate program,” said Acting CBP Commissioner Kevin McAleenan. “Programs like Global Entry and the Taiwan e-Gate program allow our officers to focus more on travelers we do not know while at the same time efficiently and securely facilitating low-risk travelers.”
How Global Entry Users Can Get e-Gate Access
Here is more information from the CBP press release:
U.S. citizens who are members of a CBP Trusted Traveler Program (Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI) are eligible to register for e-Gate. To enroll, U.S. citizen Trusted Travelers are required to present a valid passport and have their photo and index fingerprints taken by the Taiwan National Immigration Agency at an enrollment counter in Taiwan. The application fee for e-Gate is 3,000 NT (approximately $100).
This would exclude non-US citizens who have Global Entry. As a reminder, Global Entry is available for US Citizens, plus US lawful permanent residents and citizens of the following countries: (source: CBP)
- Citizens of India
- Citizens of Colombia
- Citizens of United Kingdom
- Citizens of Germany
- Mexican nationals
- Citizens of Panama
- Citizens of Singapore
- Citizens of South Korea
- Citizens of Switzerland
To use the Taiwan e-Gates, there is no pre-enrollment required, those interested apply at enrollment counters upon arrival. If approved, this lasts through the validity of the users passport.
How to Use the e-Gates in Taiwan
Instructions below show a Taiwan residence card, but the description says passport. So I presume this is how it works once registered. This information is from the Taiwan Immigration site:
Is This a Good Deal?
While I enjoy Taiwan, I don’t travel there nearly enough to justify the ~$100 fee. I don’t remember terribly long immigration lines either, at least in Taipei. That said, I don’t have many data points. If I visited more frequently, and had a new-ish US passport to maximize the validity, maybe I would be more inclined to apply.
On a related note, despite my somewhat frequent travels to the UK, I still haven’t gone forward with the Registered Traveller scheme. There are often long immigration lines for foreigners, but with a £70 application fee, and £50 per year to maintain it, I still haven’t signed up. I ponder it almost every time I’m waiting in line at passport control. Long lines in the US motivated getting Global Entry for the whole family, but I’m still waiting it out for the UK. We fly through the passport lines when returning from an international trip which is nice, especially for more Global Entry Selfies.
What about you? Any frequent visitors to Taiwan interested in this?
Thanks to Stefan at Rapid Travel Chai for making me aware of this option.
