‘Global Entry’, Trusted Traveler Program, Faster, Easier Entry into the U.S. for Pre-Approved Travelers
Lal Varghese, Attorney at Law, Dallas
Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has recently announced the expansion of the Global Entry initiative—a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) pilot program that streamlines the screening process at airports for trusted travelers through biometric identification to 13 additional airports across the United States. Global Entry expedites the customs and security process for trusted air travelers while helping DHS ensure the safety of all airline passengers," said Secretary Napolitano. "Expanding this vital program allows us to improve customer service at airports and concentrate our resources on higher-risk travelers." Starting Aug. 24, new Global Entry enrollment centers and kiosks will open at 13 additional international U.S. airports in Boston, Dallas, Detroit, Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Honolulu, Las Vegas, Newark, N.J., Orlando, Fla., Sanford*, Fla., Philadelphia, San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Francisco and Seattle.
Global Entry Travel Program allows pre-approved travelers an alternative to regular passport processing lines at the airport when returning to United States after a trip made outside of the country. At the kiosk, Global Entry travelers insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen, and then present a transaction receipt to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers before leaving the inspection area. Global Entry applicants may complete their interview and biometric data collection at enrollment centers at any of the expansion sites, while approved members can use kiosks at any of the expansion sites to complete their CBP processing upon arrival from international travel.
As of now, approximately 16,000 members have enrolled in Global Entry, which began on June 6, 2008. Global Entry kiosks have been used more than 51,000 times at the seven existing locations in Atlanta, Chicago (O’Hare), Houston (Intercontinental), Los Angeles, New York (JFK), Miami and Washington (Dulles). Global Entry reduces average wait times by 70 percent, with more than 75 percent of travelers using Global Entry processed in under five minutes. Global Entry is currently open to citizens and nationals of the United States and lawful permanent residents of the United States. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal arrangement that links Global Entry with the Privium program in Amsterdam. For more information on this or other CBP trusted traveler programs, or for an application to enroll in the Global Entry pilot program, please visit www.globalentry.gov.
Global Entry was developed to expedite international air travel by providing an alternative passport control process for pre-approved travelers – which means you don’t have to wait in line anymore. Interested individuals apply online, are pre-screened for eligibility and are interviewed in person by a CBP officer. Once accepted into the program, participants can use self-serve kiosks (located in the U.S. Arrivals area of designated airports) that confirm biometric information (e.g., fingerprints) and read their machine-readable passports. Only U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and citizens of certain other countries are eligible to participate in the Global Entry program.
Travelers may NOT be eligible if they: Have ever been convicted of a criminal offense in any country; Have ever been found in violation of the customs, immigration or agriculture laws or any serious criminal offense; Provide false or incomplete information on their application; or Fail to meet Global Entry program requirements. Children under the age of 14 are not eligible to participate. Children between the ages of 14 and 18 will require written consent of a parent or legal guardian.
Qualified individuals may apply for participation in the Global Entry program at www.globalentry.gov. First-time visitors must set up a user account, complete the application and submit it electronically. Note: If you do not provide true, accurate, and complete information in your Global Entry application, The DHS may deny your application. Once CBP has received and reviewed your application, you will be prompted to schedule an in-person interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centers. When you arrive for your interview, a CBP officer will review your application, interview you to determine your eligibility, take your photo, and collect biometric information. You must provide a valid machine-readable passport and one other form of identification such as a driver’s license or identification card. If you are a permanent resident of the U.S., you must provide your machine-readable permanent resident card and one other form of identification that supports your residency claim. If you are accepted into the Global Entry program, CBP staff will explain the terms and conditions of the program, and demonstrate how to use the automated airport kiosk.
A non-refundable processing fee of $100 per applicant will be charged at the time of application. If approved, membership is valid for 5 years. As a Global Entry participant, you must declare all goods you are importing into the United States, either by using the self-serve kiosk or by going through a regular processing lane. You will be required to answer the Customs Declaration questions presented on the kiosk; however, you will not need to complete the Customs Declaration Form (CBP 6059B) before arrival. Please note that there are specific rules regarding the importation of certain items. For example, you must report any controlled, restricted, or prohibited goods, such as: Firearms or weapons, including mace, pepper spray and stun guns; and Goods, animals or plants, including biological substances, endangered animals or species, and fruits and vegetables. In addition, if you are carrying over $10,000 USD or foreign equivalent in currency or monetary instruments into the U.S., you must declare the currency using the regular inspection line. For more information, see the CBP brochure, Know Before You Go.
Now there’s a faster, easier way for pre-approved travelers to enter the United States. The Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program, created and administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), is designed for frequent international travelers. Entirely voluntary, participation in the program can expedite entry into the U.S. at designated airports across the country. Global Entry is a new, risk-based approach to facilitate the entry of pre-approved U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, lawful permanent residents of the U.S. and citizens of other certain countries. The pilot allows frequent international travelers who have passed a background check, use of an automated kiosk to clear passport control, and provides an expedited exit lane out of the CBP processing area. Global Entry is a traveler’s ticket to get out of line.
Participation in the Global Entry pilot program is voluntary and requires a $100 non-refundable application fee, which is valid up to five years. The minimum age for participation is 14 but applicants 14–17 years of age must have consent of a parent or legal guardian. Applicants must pass a multi-layered security threat assessment and appear for an in-person interview. All participants must be in possession of a machine-readable passport (or Permanent Resident Card, if applicable). No separate membership card will be issued. Global Entry was developed and launched based on CBP’s already popular and existing trusted traveler programs: Secure Electronic Network Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI), NEXUS, and Free and Secure Trade (FAST).
Disclaimer: Lal Varghese, Attorney at Law does not claim authorship for above referenced information. Lal Varghese, Attorney at Law or the publisher is not responsible or liable for anything stated above, since it is generalized information about the subject matters collected from various sources including Department of Homeland Security, Department of Justice, State Department, Federal Register, and American Immigration Lawyer’s Association (AILA) Advocacy Center, and other legal sources. For individual cases and specific questions you are advised to consult an attorney of your choice or contact the agencies mentioned above. You can visit our website at: www.indiaimmigrationusa.com or www.indiaimmigrationusa@yahoogroups.com for more information about other related immigration matters.
