Taipei, July 26 (CNA) The National Immigration Agency presented a gift to the lucky 50 millionth e-Gate user, Lin Jyun-wen, at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport on Wednesday, marking a new record high in usage of the facility.
National Immigration Agency Director-General Jeff C.C. Yang said that since the installation of the automated e-Gate service in 2011 in Taiwan's airports and seaports, there are now 66 e-Gates in use, processing an average of 40,000 travelers per day.
Yang said that over 37 million people were processed at Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport last year, and estimated that the number will reach 45 million per annum after the opening of the airport's third terminal in 2020 when the airport will have installed a total of 58 e-Gates.
A survey shows that 50 percent of total travelers processed by the Taoyuan airport during the first half of this year used the e-Gate service, of whom 90 percent expressed satisfaction with the automated system, Yang said.
Eligibility to apply for the automated e-Gate service includes Republic of China citizens or holders of alien resident certificates or permanent resident certificates who are aged over 14 and are taller than 140cm.
Since early September 2012 the automated service is also applicable for foreign diplomats or staff of international organizations holding a Diplomatic Identification Card issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
The system can also be used by Overseas Chinese without household registration who hold a ROC Resident Certificate, Hong Kong and Macau residents holding an Exit and Entry Permit (Resident) with multiple re-entry, and Mainland Chinese residents holding an Exit and Entry Permit (Resident) with multiple re-entry.
