H1B Visa Lawyer Blog
The Global Entry Trusted Traveler Pilot Program launched by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced on December 27, 2010 that membership has surpassed 100,000 individuals.
The Global Entry program was launched by CBP in hopes of streamlining the process at airports for pre-approved travelers through the use of self-service kiosks. Currently the kiosks are located at 20 major airports around the United States and help to reduce waiting times by approximately 70 percent. In order to qualify for the Global Entry program and become a pre-approved traveler, an individual must either be a US citizen or lawful permanent residents able to pass an intensive background check. The Netherlands has an agreement set up that links the US’s Global entry program with Amsterdam’s Privium program allowing citizens of the Netherlands to apply as well. Applications must be submitted online at www.globalentry.gov in addition to a fee of 100 dollars to cover a five-year membership. To finish the process, the individual must go to any of the 20 airport sites in order to complete an in person interview and fingerprint data collection.
Once a member of the Global Entry Program, upon arriving at an airport an individual only has to insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a kiosk, provide fingerprints to compare with the fingerprints on file, and answer customs declaration questions. More information on the Global Entry program including detailed requirements and available locations can be found at www.cbp.gov/travel.