Taiwan E-Gate / Global Entry
 

Global Entry people can now apply for Taiwan E-Gate.

Anyone have experience with how long it takes to get the initial approval for E-Gate? I am traveling to TPE 11/9-11/16. If I apply now, will it be approved in time to schedule an interview on either 11/9 or 11/16?

How much time does E-Gate save on entry and exit?
How does e-gate compare to Foreign Frequent Visitor program? I can apply for that after this trip.

Thanks.

During the peak hours, the Foreign Frequent Visitor program can have a line of about ~10-15 people. Other than that, no one. One thing I would note is that the officers sometimes aren't aware they are the "Speedy Immigration" line and are in utter confusion when you walk up to them using the Frequent Visitor pass.

E-gate is really quick, there is never any line for it. There is no interview process for E-gate, you just have to go to the counter, give them your passport, get your photo/index prints taken, and pay the NT$3000 fee.

All this starts 11/1 so you should be fine for 11/9.

Denied application
 

Hi all,

I am writing this post here from Taoyuan airport's terminal two.

I am a NEXUS member and my friend is a global entry member, and am trying to enroll in the e-gates using the enrollment center next to aisle 20. The wait was 15 minutes. When it was our turn, we were denied because we did not have a residence permit. The staffs were not aware of the Global Entry program.

Then i checked the website... and apparently you need to set up an interview.

https://egate.immigration.gov.tw/ge-frontend/home

Don't go to the counter without applying in the above website.
Just go online and wait till the above website accepts new registration.

Carfield

The process for US citizen GE holders is different - an interview is required after applying. See: https://egate.immigration.gov.tw/ge-...dItem=section3

Interesting. The reciprocal law they have in place is making them do all this. I highly doubt the interview will be anything.

Just in case anyone is having trouble registering because of the "Officially Opened in Nov. 2017" pop up, you can actually register by just opening the link in a new tab or window.

Alternatively, register directly here:
https://egate.immigration.gov.tw/ge-.../home/register

Thanks for the link. I tried registering, but got stuck at the payment step. When I clicked to pay, the window opened, but never loaded. Oh well. I'll try again tomorrow.

Not ready for prime time?
 

Struggled to get my account on the e-Gate website and got it done. Couldn’t get to the application page until I saw the advice above re link. Got to the payment step and the link opened a new window and waited 6+ minutes and an almost empty screen with 6-8 Mandarin characters. Sent it to a friend who translated it as “maintenance in progress try later” Sigh.

And of course the application information wasn’t saved. So... It’s almost 9a.m. In Taiwan now. Try again later?

Payment page still not working, just FYI.

The interesting thing is TW people pays nothing to get eGate and it is immediate. US people not only have to pay for GlobalEntry at home, they have to pay for eGate.

i was reading something like taiwan wants GE holders to pay just like how Taiwanese people who apply for GE has to pay $100.

i guess its only fair that way.

Taiwan foreign policy is one of reciprocity. Since the US charges Taiwanese $100USD+Interview+Online App for Global Entry, Taiwan implemented the same policy for GE holders applying for Egate(albeit you pay NT$3000, which is roughly 100USD)

I reported the website payment problem, and I received this reply today:

I got something similar. Went to the website. Nothing new, payment page still crashed.

Right. I think TW is fully entitled to charge the NT$3000.

It is just crazy how fast and easy eGate application is for the locals and how hard it is for US people to even get GE. eGate is a lot more efficient than GE.

Now, I wonder how well that facial recognition will work for foreigners. You know many Taiwanese think all the foreigners look alike :D

I've been trying it daily since I have an upcoming trip to Taiwan and want to get my interview taken care of. I'll report back when (if?) the payment page finally works.

In the hope that others won't waste their time - payment page still not working.

I was able to make the credit card payment, BUT
 

I didn’t get the confirmation page or email, just an error. However my credit card was charged, so we’ll see what tomorrow will bring. Lighting incense.

The E-Gate site is now working. Registration button works (without the annoying Nov 2017 pop-up). Application and payment successfully submitted - received a receipt email from the NIA for the charge.

It sounds like the payment process is finally working.

On the application, did anybody include their middle name in the "First Name" field?

https://i.imgur.com/y8x2aVjm.jpg

The PDF guide says that the "information MUST be correct and same to your passport" but is ambiguous on whether this should be all given names. To match the passport and GE card, I assume all given names should be listed.

Could someone provide data points if they're available? If not, I can contact the NIA via the web form.

I used “FirstNameMiddleName”, for the First Name field, as that’s what I’ve historically used to enter Taiwan. Hoping this works when I have my appointment in December (already conditionally approval and was able to make appointment)

I called the counter to try to get an appointment on Monday and they're checking on that. They said that I'm the first person their office (Terminal 2 Departures) has seen to apply for the program.

(Also, seems like some of the Eva threads ie about TPE airport, E-Gate, etc are not really Eva specific and could benefit others as well).

FYI, payment went thru okay (more than 3000 NTD total, ~100USD). The earliest appointment available is 15NOV through online system.

For interview scheduling, the guide said one can only schedule 3 days in advance? I'll be in Taiwan for a few days in late December, but I'd prefer to time eGate enrollment with my arrival.

Please let me know. I was thinking of FirstName MiddleName on the "First Name" field to match my passport and GE membership exactly. How quickly did it switch to conditional approval?

Just completed the interview process. They take you to a room on the first floor to ask a few questions, take your photo, and fingerprints. I was the first one so there was quite a bit of fanfare with photos etc. it took a while for the passport to scan at egate, but they said it should work going forward. Plus, they’ll give you a luggage tag with egate and global entry printed on it!

From what I can see, there is no restriction of how far you can schedule ahead (December is definitely available and as long as the interview is completed within 180 days you are fine)

Any additional feedback on the middle name? Did anybody else include their middle name?

How long did the whole process take?

Took me around 30 mins, but that's because they took a bunch of photos at different parts of the airport.

I applied and have my interview scheduled for December. I'm thinking whether or not it's better to do it on arrival or later in the day from the departures area? Perhaps if I do it on arrival then I could use e-Gate to enter Taiwan?

It seems to me that on arrival, you do it instead of immigration. I believe upon arrival, at the immigration stations, you go to the special immigration desk for e-gate applications. They handle you there, and when you are done, you are sent on to baggage claim.

I am a NEXUS holder and just scheduled an appt upon arrival at TPE (on CX) in January 2018. The website works just fine now- registration, submission of infos and payment, and preliminary approval to schedule an interview.

Let us know if it works as the program is supposed to be for GlobalEntry holders, not NEXUS holders. Even though the work the same for the US TSA, they are different programs and require separate applications.

Do it on arrival, and complete the arrival card (electronic version) before your interview. Then you can use e-gate immediately for that arrival AND your later departure from Taiwan.

Nice. I will keep the appointment on arrival in that case and complete the electronic arrival card.

When I filled out my application on the eGate website they asked for either Global Entry or Nexus info. So it must cover both.

I completed the electronic arrival card and my interview was on my departure. I was approved for e-gate and when I tried to use the e-gate, it required me to fill out an arrival card. According to staff, they said when I filled out the electronic arrival card it was not tied to my e-gate info, so I had to submit it again.

Note: Security at Taoyuan Airport was a minimum 40 minute wait. E-gate still requires you to go through the regular security lines. APEC Business Travel Card line had no wait at all since they utilize the diplomat or crew line. I used APEC Business Travel Card to breeze through the security and e-gate to breeze through immigration clearance as there was a line for the APEC.

So it sounds like I might not be able to use eGate upon my arrival in Taiwan the first time? I'll keep the appointment, and I'll report back to the group. Not that it's a matched comparison, but when Mrs. Majuki signed up for eGate with her current passport (ROC), they corralled her to the eGates when she tried to use the manual lanes with me the last time we were in Taiwan 3 years ago.

Well, at least from the arrival perspective there is no screening; you aren't saving much time when you already have APEC card....

Be aware that it is still kind of new to the officers at TPE immigration. Just head to the e-gate application counter and ask for e-gate interview for G.E. card holder. Once the electronic arrival form is filled and register on their end, you can use the e-gate immediately and skip the normal immigration line.
I would be curious to see any exception for that (maybe fail in both facial recognition and fingerprints?)

Yeah, I'm hoping in 3 weeks that a few more people will have signed up for it. I'll give a report once I'm landside. I'll be sure to fill out the electronic arrival card beforehand.