ROC nationals get fast-tracked UK entry privileges

2016/01/27

ROC electronic passport holders can enjoy streamlined entry procedures in the U.K. following the inclusion Jan. 25 of Taiwan in the British government’s Registered Traveler Service program, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“Our nationals are cleared to apply for use of the U.K. / EU entry lanes and ePassport-gate at 10 major airports in Britain, as well as Eurostar terminals in Brussels, Lille and Paris,” a MOFA official said.

“We welcome this encouraging news and believe it will help further bilateral exchanges.”

Under the initiative, ROC citizens should apply for the privilege a minimum of 10 working days prior to departure. In addition, they must be over 18, possess a six-month valid visa and have visited the U.K. at least four times in the past two years.

Taiwan-U.K. relations are going from strength to strength. In 2009, ROC nationals were granted visa-waver privileges and in 2011, citizens aged 18 to 31 were permitted to live, work and travel in Britain for up to two years. The former helped boost the number of Taiwan arrivals from 52,000 in 2008 to over 100,000 in 2013, while the latter is expanding people-to-people exchanges.

ROC government statistics revealed that Taiwan-U.K. trade totaled US$5.12 billion in the first eleven months of last year, with Britain Taiwan’s 16th largest trading partner and 13th biggest export market.

Launched in April 2015, RTS comprises two lists of approved countries and territories. Taiwan is on the second along with Hong Kong, Singapore and South Korea. The first is made up of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand and the U.S.

Source: Taiwan Today (http://taiwantoday.tw/ct.asp?xItem=241694&ctNode=2194&mp=9)