Taipei, Oct. 26 (CNA) Taiwanese passport holders will be eligible to enroll in the U.S. Global Entry program for expedited entry into the United States from Nov. 1, according to a statement released Thursday by the American Institute in Taiwan (AIT).
According to the statement, Taiwan will join "a select group, becoming the 12th partner worldwide and 3rd in East Asia, whose passport holders are eligible to enroll in Global Entry."
If approved, Taiwanese passport holders will be able to bypass traditional U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspection lines and use an automated kiosk to complete their admission to the U.S. instead.
In an act of reciprocity, meanwhile, Taiwan is making U.S. citizens enrolled in a CBP Trusted Traveler Program eligible to use Taiwan's e-Gate system, also starting Nov. 1.
The e-Gate system, much like Global Entry, allows enrolled members to bypass traditional inspection lines based on previously provided and approved personal information.
In a ceremony at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport to mark the announcement, AIT Director Kin Moy lauded the expansion of the U.S. and Taiwan trusted traveler programs, saying that "with the introduction of Global Entry, we look forward to welcoming more Taiwan friends to the United States."
"The United States is honored to be the first country to benefit from full membership of the e-Gate program ... these partnerships are further indications of the strength of the U.S.-Taiwan relationship," Moy remarked.
Applications for both programs require a US$100 (NT$3,000) fee
