Taiwan, Italy announce e-gate deal

2019/10/01

The Ministry of the Interior officially announced an agreement Sept. 26 between Taiwan and Italy giving reciprocal access for both country’s citizens to automated immigration clearance services, spotlighting government efforts to expand exchanges between the two sides and increase inbound tourism.
 
 At the announcement ceremony in northern Taiwan’s Taoyuan City, MOI Minister Hsu Kuo-yung said the scheme enables low-risk travelers from the two countries to use the e-gates at passport control after completing registration.
 
 Taiwan is the eighth non-EU country to reach such an agreement with Italy, joining Australia, Canada, Israel, Japan, New Zealand, South Korea, and the U.S., he added.
 
 According to Italian Economic, Trade and Cultural Promotion Office head Davide Giglio, the number of flights between the two sides is set to increase next year, and Italy is a popular destination with Taiwan tourists. Expanding the e-gate program is a logical step given the increased demand, he said.

 Travelers from Australia, South Korea and the U.S. have had access to Taiwan’s e-gate system for the past two years. More than 210,000 travelers from these countries have registered to use the service so far, according to the latest MOI statistics.

Source: Taiwan Today (https://taiwantoday.tw/index.php)