UPDATE : 2024/01/17
UPDATE : 2024/01/31
UPDATE : 2021/07/14
UPDATE : 2023/02/13
UPDATE : 2024/01/17
UPDATE : 2024/01/17
Contents
The Global Entry (GE) Program is one of the programs developed by U.S. Customs and Border Protection that makes it possible to complete immigration screening in advance.
Under U.S. federal law, this program is provided for U.S. citizens and permanent residents (green card holders) as well as travelers to the U.S. who are nationals of the U.K., Germany, Singapore, Mexico, Colombia, Panama, and South Korea.
The most important goal of the Global Entry (GE) Program is to simplify and speed up immigration procedures to the United States. The U.S. immigration process takes considerably more time than those other countries, and it is not uncommon for travelers to have to wait in a long, meandering line for immigration at the airport after arrival.Travelers who have been approved in advance through the GE Program may go directly to automated kiosks after arriving at the airport in the U.S., bypassing the long lines for immigration screening.Customs declaration procedures are completed after the traveler’s machine-readable passport or green card is presented at the kiosk and his or her fingerprints are scanned. After customs procedures are completed, a receipt is issued for the traveler at the automated kiosk, and then he or she can head to pick up his or her checked baggage smoothly and quickly. By utilizing this system, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) aims to make travelers less stressful through simpler and quicker immigration screening to shorten the time to enter the United States.The GE Program is operated as one of the Trusted Traveler programs recommended by CBP. There are also similar Trusted Traveler programs including NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST, although travelers eligible to sign up for these programs vary by program.
In order to complete immigration procedures through the Global Entry (GE) Program, it is required to sign up for the program in advance and become a member. The registration fee is USD100, and it is valid for five years. After your application is accepted, you will need to undergo an interview with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) staff at a registration center inside the designated airport. The main steps are outlined below.
① | Apply by filling out the online application form, and pay the (nonrefundable) application fee of USD100. |
② | Following screening, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) will contact you to confirm your appointment for an interview at the registration center inside the designated airport. |
③ | At the appointed day and time, undergo the interview at the registration center inside the airport. At this time, CBP will review your application documents and check your identification and eligibility. (Identification such as a driver’s license or passport is required.) |
④ | If you pass the screening process and are approved as a member of the Global Entry Program, CBP staff will photograph you for identification purposes and take your fingerprints. |
⑤ | After CBP staff explain the Global Entry Program to you, your approval procedures are complete. |
As of January 2022, automated kiosks (automated inspection booth) is available for Global Entry in more than 40 major U.S. airports, and it made it possible for stress-free & smooth immigration procedures. Note that the airports denoted with an asterisk (*) do not have centers where you can register for the Global Entry Program.
① | No need to line up for immigration screening at the airport after arrival, since the procedures were completed already |
② | There is no need of filling out customs declarations since it is registered by automated kiosk.It is expected to see even wider use in the future since it is capable of simplifying and shortening the time for immigration screening. |
UPDATE : 2024/01/31