Travelling is what many expats look forward to. Hopping on a plane and visiting new countries is indeed an exciting experience, whether for lucrative investment opportunities, leisure, or even a new place to call home.
One problem with travelling, though, is long lines, which waste your precious time. Border protection and customs officials are required to check each passenger thoroughly, and it often takes a while before you go through security. But what if you could expedite this process without needing to demonstrate that you are a good person every single time?
Fortunately, there is a solution: the Global Entry Program. Expats and frequent travellers in the U.S. and other countries can enjoy a more streamlined U.S. travel experience for little money. You can go from waiting in long lines to being treated almost like a VIP.
In this article, you will discover the fundamentals of the Global Entry Program: what it is, how to use it, who is eligible, and more. Read on to learn all the details.
Particularly advantageous for expats who frequently travel, the program allows them to save valuable time and avoid the inconvenience of long lines and repetitive security checks
Imagine skipping long lines and not needing to prove that you are a law-abiding citizen over and over again. That is the Global Entry Program in a nutshell. In other words, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) launched this program to fast-track authorization for risk-free travellers who arrive in the U.S. As a participant in this program, you bypass traditional inspection lines and use automated kiosks at selected airports.
At these kiosks, Global Entry members scan their passports (of eligible nationalities) or permanent resident cards, get their faces matched with the passport photo, place their fingertips on a scanner and fill out a customs declaration. The kiosk then issues the traveller a transaction receipt and directs them to baggage claim and exit.
The program aims to make the entry process smoother and more efficient, significantly reducing the time spent at customs. This is particularly beneficial for expats, business travellers, and frequent flyers who can save valuable time and avoid the hassle of long queues and repetitive security checks. As a bonus, you also get a TSA PreCheck membership, which helps you get through security in U.S. airports without long lines.
Before applying, you need to check if you are eligible for membership. Essentially, you need to meet these two criteria:
Be 18 years of age or older;
Be a U.S. passport holder, a green card holder, or a citizen of these countries.
Once you meet those requirements, follow these steps to get your Global Entry membership:
Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) Account: Every applicant must have a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. This account is necessary to start the application process. You will learn more about other TTPs in one of the sections below.
Log In and Complete Your Application: Access your TTP account and fill out the application form. A non-refundable fee of $100 USD is required when you submit your completed application.
Schedule an Interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center: Once your application is submitted, CBP will review it. If you receive conditional approval, your TTP account will prompt you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Remember, each applicant must book their own separate interview.
Attend Your Interview and Complete the Process: Bring your valid passport and an additional form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card, to your interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must also present your machine-readable permanent resident card.
In busy airports like JFK or LAX, it's common to spend over an hour in immigration and customs lines. However, with Global Entry, the process is significantly faster, taking just a few minutes at an automated kiosk
Once you are a global entry member, you can be treated almost like a VIP as you get these perks:
First and foremost, as a Global Entry Program member, you can skip long lines in U.S. airports. After a long flight, the last thing you want is to wait in line for hours. Instead of enduring traditional customs lines, you can use automated kiosks at certain airports. Just by scanning your passport, verifying your fingerprint, and completing a customs declaration, you can reduce your time at immigration, go to baggage claim, and exit.
As a bonus, Global Entry members receive TSA Precheck, allowing them to access faster security screening for domestic flights. Not only do you enjoy shorter lines at security checkpoints, but you will not need to remove your shoes, belts, light jackets, or laptops from your carry-on bags.
The time savings with Global Entry can be substantial. For instance, a traveller arriving at a busy airport like JFK in New York or LAX in Los Angeles might spend over an hour in line for customs and immigration. With Global Entry, an hour can turn into mere minutes at an automated kiosk. Imagine landing after a long international flight, saving valuable time for more important activities.
If the kiosk is out of service, proceed to the nearest staffed passport control line. Presenting your Global Entry card will grant you priority access
Using Global Entry is fairly simple, but it is important to follow these steps to get the most out of your membership:
Step 1: Go to a Global Entry Kiosk with your passport or U.S. legal permanent resident card;
Step 2: The kiosk will indicate how to slide the machine-readable passport into the reader;
Step 3: When your data displays on the screen, remove your passport and look at the camera for a photo;
Step 4: Place four fingers from either your right or left hand on the fingerprint scanner to verify your identity against the biometric data stored in the system.
Step 1: The kiosk will show a customs declaration screen, and you need to answer a series of questions by touching “YES” or “NO” to declare any goods you have purchased, received as gifts or had repaired or altered overseas;
Step 2: Declare if you are carrying more than $10,000 USD or foreign equivalent, whether cash or monetary instruments like checks or money orders. Should you declare this amount, the kiosk will prompt you to a regular inspection lane so you can fill out a currency report form with a CBP officer;
Step 3: Declare any items above your personal exemption amount. If required, the kiosk will print a receipt directing you to the regular inspection line;
Step 4: Declare any fruits, vegetables, plants, insects, meat products, dairy products, animals, animal and wildlife products, disease agents, cell cultures, snails or soil. Also, inform the CBP officer if you have visited a farm, ranch, or pasture outside the United States.
The details of your flight will be shown on the kiosk. Touch "YES" if the information is correct. Otherwise, click "NO" and manually enter the airline, flight number, and departure city;
Touch the "NEXT" button to go on to the next screen.
After you complete the process, the kiosk will issue a receipt that you must present to the CBP officer at the exit control point;
If there is an “X” across the receipt, take it to the nearest CBP officer for further assistance.
If a kiosk is out of service, head to the nearest staffed passport control primary processing line. Show your Global Entry card for priority access.
Once the Global Entry kiosk process is complete, go to the baggage claim area. This expedited processing helps you bypass the traditional customs lines. Collect your luggage and head straight to the exit, making your arrival experience smooth and hassle-free.
SENTRI is designed for the U.S.-Mexico border, offering pre-approved status that allows for swift and efficient crossings between the two countries, including land travel through the southern border
Even though Global Entry is perhaps the most comprehensive Trusted Traveller Program of all, not everyone needs it. Below, you can find other programs that might make sense to certain travellers:
TSA PreCheck® is similar to Global Entry, as it is accessible to U.S. citizens, lawful residents, and citizens from countries that are part of programs like Global Entry. As a TSA PreCheck® member, you can benefit from expedited security screening at selected US airports. This program applies to domestic and certain international flights.
Note that TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 USD, while the Global Entry program costs only an extra $22 USD maximum. So, if you are a frequent traveller, consider enrolling in the Global Entry program. Not only will you get all the TSA PreCheck benefits, but you will also be able to travel by air, land, and sea.
Nexus is a program for travellers who regularly cross the U.S.-Canada border by air, land or sea. After a clearance process, low-risk travellers have expedited access to each country. For example, you can cross the border via land through dedicated NEXUS lanes. Note that NEXUS members may enjoy some Global Entry benefits, such as using Global Entry kiosks when travelling into the U.S. via Canadian Preclearance airports.
SENTRI is essentially a ‘US-Mexico border’ equivalent of NEXUS. In other words, pre-approved travellers can enjoy expedited border crossing between these two countries. The main difference between NEXUS and SENTRI is that while NEXUS allows for travel via air, land and sea, SENTRI allows for access via land through the Southern border.
FAST is a special trusted traveller program for truck drivers who frequently cross the Northern or Southern borders. Upon completion of background checks, members of this program can enjoy expedited access to commercial carriers.
Related content: Safety Tips For Expats: The Only Guide You'll Ever Need
Among the various benefits, you can spend less time waiting in lines and more time enjoying your trip. This service is available for only $100, with prices subject to change. We recommend checking the current price at the time of reading
The Global Entry Program is valuable for expats and frequent travellers who want to simplify their U.S. travel experience, whether travelling home to see family or just passing through. Among other benefits, you will be able to spend less time waiting in lines and more time making the most of your trips — all for a meagre $100 USD (as of the time of this writing). As an international traveller, enrolling in Global Entry can boost travel efficiency and comfort, making your adventures more enjoyable and seamless.
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