TAIPEI (Taiwan News) -- Taiwan passport holders are now eligible to clear immigration via the eGate automatic border control systems at both of Rome's airports, making Taiwan one of only eight countries in the world outside the EU afforded this special privilege.

Recently, Rome's Leonardo da Vinci International Airport and Ciampino Giovan Battista Pastine Airport have opened up their eGate systems for passengers from Taiwan, reported Liberty Times. As long as applicants are over the age of 14 and possess a Taiwan passport with an electronic microprocessor chip, they are eligible for the expedited service.

Taiwan is the eighth non-European country to be granted the privilege, and Hong Kong and Singapore passport holders will soon be eligible as well. Eligible European countries include all EU and EEA (European Economic Area) member states, Switzerland, Monaco, San Marino, and Vatican City. The eligible non-European countries include the U.S., Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and Taiwan.

In addition, Germany's Frankfurt and Munich airports also included Taiwan in their EasyPass automatic border control system lists last summer. The special privileges afforded Taiwanese passengers are consistent with Taiwan's ranking as the 29th most powerful passport in the world.

In recent years, South Korea and Australia have been allowing Taiwanese passengers to apply for their automatic customs clearance systems. Japan, the UK, and the U.S. also offer this preferential treatment to Taiwan passport holders, but the latter need to pay in advance and pass a screening process.