The first time I visited Taiwan, I wanted to cry. I had arrived in the early morning hours, and was eager to head into Taipei to start exploring.
Taoyuan Airport, however, had other ideas. In spite of the fact that many flights had gotten in around the same time mine did, only a few checkpoints were open. It ended up taking me over an hour to clear immigration, and over two hours from the time I stepped off the plane until the moment I stepped onto the city’s streets.
Thankfully, prior to my next trip, I learned how to use the e-Gate in Taiwan. And let me tell you, without any melodrama: It changed my life.
Not Everyone Can Use Taiwan’s e-Gates (on Entry)
In order to be eligible for Taiwan automatic passport control, the bare minimum that needs to be true is that you need to have a machine-readable e-passport. Although most countries offer these, your individual passport might not qualify if it’s older, or if you come from one of the few countries that doesn’t offer it. Additionally, passport damage or wear can mean that even if your passport is technically eligible, if won’t work from a practical standpoint.
Then, there’s the question as to whether or not you can use Taiwan’s e-Gates, based on your nationality. Unlike is the case on exit from the country, not everyone can use them to enter. You need to be from an eligible country (US passport holders who are also enrolled in Global Entry being the most common example), and you also need to have registered to use the gates in advance.
How to Use Taiwan’s e-Gate
Make sure you’re eligible
Are you eligible to use the Taiwan e-Gate? I recommend that you go to this official website to check. As I explained earlier, simply having a machine-readable passport isn’t enough; you need to possess certain nationalities, and usually check some other box besides that—Global Entry membership, in the case of US passport holders.
Complete the registration process
While I’ve personally seen a Taiwan e-Gate registration booth located in the post-customs Arrivals area at Taoyuan Airport, the more efficient process is to register online before you arrive, and kick off the process that way. Simply visit this page and follow instructions and then you’re good to go.
(Both online and at the airport)
Well, almost: The online registration is only part of the process. Once you arrive, you’ll need to visit a designated e-Gate reception desk to have your fingerprints taken and to consent to some other things. This should take a few minutes. Once it’s finished, you’ll be be able to use the e-Gate for the first time.
Fill out an e-arrival card
Well…there’s another caveat. Namely, you must fill out the Taiwan Online Arrival Card before every time you plan to use the e-Gate, even if it’s your first time. If you forget and fill out a paper card from the plane, then unfortunately you will have to wait in the manual queue.
Go to the designated lane
It might sound obvious, but you need to take care to use the designated e-Gate lane; these are available at all of Taiwan’s major airports, including Taoyuan (TPE), Songshan(TSA), Taichung (RMQ) and Kaohsiung (KHH). Once you scan your passport, you’ll pass the first of gates; after your picture is taken, you can enter the country, often in 10 seconds or less.
Taiwan’s e-Gates Are Not Foolproof
I’ve been registered for Taiwan’s e-Gates since 2019, and have religious maintained my enrollment in the program, even during the pandemic, as well as every time I’ve renewed my passport since then. In spite of this, I’ve had more than one instance where the e-Gate failed—and even more regrettably, where staff within the airport tried to suggest that this was due to a mistake on my part. Thankfully, I can provide you two pieces of advice to avoid this.
First? Keep in mind that when you register to use the gates, the person who assists you will stamp the last page of your passport to reflect this. So, if you experience a Taiwan e-Gate error, just show a staff member the stamp so they can’t deny that you are eligible to use the gates. Secondly, errors are sometimes lane-specific. If one fails, try to use the one next to it, as this clears up the issue in the vast majority of cases.
Other FAQ About Using the e-Gate in Taiwan
Can foreigners use the e-Gate in Taiwan?
Certain foreigners can use the e-Gate in Taiwan. Even if your nationality and circumstance make you eligible, however, you will need to pre-register in order to be able to use the gates. So don’t simply turn up at Taoyuan Airport’s immigration area and simply expect to pass through without issue.
Do you need to fill out an e-arrival card for Taiwan?
Every travelers needs to fill out an e-arrival card for Taiwan, whether or not they plan to use the e-Gates. However, while travelers who use the ordinary immigration queue do have the option to fill out a paper card if they forget to submit the digital one, this is not possible if you wish to use the e-Gate.
What do US citizens need to enter Taiwan?
US citizens who plan to enter Taiwan for tourism simply need their valid US passports, and either a digital or physical arrival card. No other documentation is necessary for stays of under 90 days where you don’t plan to work, or to study full-time at a university.
The Bottom Line
Assuming you’re eligible, I highly recommend that you register for the e-Gate in Taiwan. It isn’t foolproof—and, frankly, Taiwan may one day in the not-too-distant future automate its entire arrivals process. For now, however, participation in the e-Gate program is the only way to ensure you don’t need to waste time waiting in queues, which can be surprisingly unruly in a country that’s generally quite orderly and efficient. Why waste time at Taoyuan or Songshan Airports, when you could instant get straight to exploring Taipei and other destinations? Speaking of making the most of your Taiwain trip, a great way to do this is to hire me to plan it for you.
