Taiwan has introduced automated immigration eGates at three of its airports and one seaport.

The eGates – designed to speed up travel clearance for Taiwanese citizens – can be used by citizens 14 years and over with valid passports and registered biometric data. They use infrared ray sensors, facial recognition cameras and passport readers, and can scan the passenger’s passport and face or fingerprint. They can clear travellers in 12 seconds, and are now in use in Taoyuan County, Taipei and Kaohsiung international airports as well as at Kinmen Seaport.

Speaking at a launch ceremony earlier this month, Hsieh Li-kung, director general, National Immigration Agency (NIA), said the system has speeded up immigration services and improved border security. “It not only expedites immigration clearance, but it is also a safer system. In the past, it was more difficult to verify the biometric data of individuals. But border security is better safeguarded now with the use of biometric imaging and fingerprinting,” he said

According to local reports, 170,000 citizens registered their biometric data for use at eGates during the pre-rollout trial held in 2011.