Global Entry Program
Here’s some information on the Global Entry Program, designed to expedite travel for international travelers. This is directly from their website at http://www.globalentry.gov/. Information is subject to change, so please verify all details through the program when applying.
How Does the Global Entry Program Work?
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports.
At airports, program participants proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.
Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and interview before enrollment.
While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in appropriate enforcement action and revocation of the traveler’s membership privileges.
Eligibility
Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, Dutch citizens, South Korean citizens and Mexican nationals. Canadian citizens and residents may enjoy Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS program.
Reasons for Ineligibility
Applicants may not qualify for participation in the Global Entry program if they:
Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants;
Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
Are subjects of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation;
Cannot satisfy CBP of their low-risk status (e.g. CBP has intelligence that indicates that the applicant is not low risk; CBP cannot determine an applicant’s criminal, residence or employment history)
Applicants under the age of 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian to participate in the program. If an individual does not meet the requirements of Global Entry, their application will be denied.Applicants must be in possession of either a machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card.
How to Apply
Apply Online
Fill out an online application and pay the $100 non-refundable application fee.
Schedule an Interview
Once your application is reviewed, you will receive a message in your GOES account instructing you to schedule an interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centers.
Interview Determines Your Eligibility
A U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer will ask you questions, take your photo, and collect biometric information, e.g., scan your fingerprints.
Provide Identification
Bring your valid passport(s) and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card to the interview. If you are a lawful permanent resident, you must present your permanent resident card.
Locations
You can find Global Entry kiosks at the following airports:
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Dublin Airport (DUB)*
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)
Guam International Airport (GUM)*
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
John Wayne Airport (SNA)*
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)*
Saipan International Airport (SPN)*
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)*
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport-SeaTac (SEA)
Shannon Airport (SNN)*
Tampa International Airport (TPA)*
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
* There are no enrollment centers at these sites.
Contact Us
For questions regarding Global Entry or any other U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program, you can visit the CBP Info Center website or contact the Global Entry Enrollment Center nearest you.
For inquiries regarding the denial of a Global Entry application, visit Denial Inquiries.
Additional Information
For a list of frequently asked questions, please click here.
For a list of other programs, please click here.
For News and Updates, please click here.
Heidi, Editor-In-Chief
