Taiwan enters US Global Entry program

台灣進入美國全球入境計劃

Taiwan officially entered the US Global Entry program on Wed, Nov. 1, while U.S. enters Taiwan's e-Gate system


TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Taiwanese travelers are now able to take advantage of the U.S. Global Entry program for swifter entry into the United States as of yesterday (Nov. 1), and on the same day the U.S. entered Taiwan's e-Gate program.

In April of last year, representatives of the AIT and Taiwan signed a joint agreement paving the way for Taiwan's participation in the Global Entry program, which allows expedited clearance of pre-approved, low risk travelers through U.S. Customs. MOFA said at the time that Taiwan was the seventh country in the world and the second in Asia to sign the agreement, following the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, South Korea and Mexico.

Citizens of Taiwan are now able to join the Global Online Enrollment System for five years by paying US$100 (NT$3,000), undergoing a bilateral security review and taking part in a face-to-face interview.

On arrival in the U.S., the Taiwanese citizens in the program will need to report to a special desk to complete the procedure, after which they will be allowed to enter the country in a special lane. When boarding at any airport in the U.S., they will also receive special treatment.


Global Entry Kiosk. (Associated Press image)

On a reciprocal basis, U.S. citizens in the system are now allowed to use its e-gates at airports when visiting Taiwan, officials said, adding that participation in the program would mean important time savings for frequent travelers in both directions.

U.S. citizens who want to use Taiwan’s e-Gate system should apply online and go through an interview and review conducted by the NIA authorities in order to be granted access to the e-Gate system.

Implemented at airports and harbors in January 2012, Taiwan's e-Gate system uses facial and fingerprint recognition technology to identify travelers entering and leaving the country.

Video posted by AIT announcing the new Global Entry/e-Gate exchange between the two countries: