Originally Posted by
DeltaOneFlyer
In the chinese language version (which i would assume to be the most accurate, as understandably non-english countries may not update their english info regularly), there is even a matrix that shows who can or cannot use e-gates and what are the conditions attached, and it says foreign nationals cannot use it on arrival without registration.
I have experienced many situations in Taiwan where the website is outdated, even the Chinese version. Unfortunately, we don't have more than one data point so far of a US passport visitor, meaning no residency, who's not an e-Gate for Global Entry member using the e-Gates for arrival.
Originally Posted by
bocastephen
This is probably correct, no registration and fee, no egate. I don’t know of other countries that allow a foreign national visitor (non resident) that permits egate use without any form of registration as they are essentially just letting anyone waltz into the country without any inspection or check for warrants, prior issues, etc.
I’m landing at Songshan later today which I don’t believe has the new gates otherwise I’d try and take one for the team to see what happens.
If someone can confirm TSA has the new gates please post and I’ll give it a try. Worst case I’ll get rejected and just go to the APEC line
Keep us updated. I don't think that the new style e-Gates are necessarily a condition for opening up their use to more people, but rather it seems coincidental that at TPE they appear to have opened up the use to more travelers after installing them.
Also, I don't want to do the perennial FlyerTalk thing and immediately cite a counterexample after someone makes an absolute claim, but countries that come to mind with automated passport control gates available for arriving visitors that do not require registration as long as you have an eligible passport are the UK, Australia, and Singapore.
Singapore is the most recent. Before 2020, you had to have a certain number of entries and register, similar to Hong Kong. Australia used to require US passport holders to be Global Entry members, but it was opened to all perhaps a decade ago. The UK used to require a certain number of visits and enrollment in the registered traveler program, but, again, opened up to all since May 2019.
The automated border control is performing the same (and perhaps a more thorough) check on travelers as the manual lanes. It is comparing against the photo in the biometric passport, and when you scan your passport it will check for eligibility to enter. If there are any issues, such as a flag against you as a traveler or not getting a good match between the passport photo and you, you'll be referred to an immigration booth.