Global Entry: Apply for Faster Entry to the USA

Low-risk individuals who need entrance into the USA frequently can do so through one of the following; Global Entry, SENTRI, TSA PreCheck®, FAST, and NEXUS.

What is Global Entry USA?

The Global Entry Visa program allows eligible applicants to enter the US freely without passing through the border officials. They can carry out identity checks by themselves and avoid long waiting lines.

The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) of the United States issued the global entry program to eligible applicants. Travelers who have subscribed to the Global Entry system of the United States need not spend time in long waiting queues at the border. The Global Entry Program has a validity period of 5 years during which the holder can quickly enter the United States whenever they decide to.

The application process for the Global Entry Program takes between four and six weeks, which includes the waiting time till the interview and the processing time. Applicants from eligible countries must pay a standard transaction fee of $100.

Requirements for the Global Entry Program

To register for the Global Entry Program, the applicants need to meet these two criteria:

• Be a native of any of the eligible countries
• Participants must pass the security test.

Global Entry Program Eligible Countries

Across regions of the world, citizens from select countries can apply for the Global Entry Program into the US. From North America, US immigrants with their green cards, US and Canadian citizens are eligible for this program.

From Europe, citizens from Switzerland, Germany, and Great Britain are eligible. Indians, Singaporeans, South Koreans, and Taiwanese citizens from Asia are eligible. From Central and South America, Columbia, Panama, Mexico, and Argentina citizens are eligible for the Global Entry Program.

Global Entry Program Application Process

Citizens from the above-stated countries can apply for the Global Entry Program by following these simple steps:

• Pass the security check. The security check is the first part of the application process. It is required to ensure the individual is low-risk and poses no threat to the US government and its citizens.
• Create an account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) (https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/). As a part of the application process, you would be required to pay a $100 processing fee. The fee is non-refundable, even if you fail any of the checks.
• An in-person interview at the US global Entry enrolment center happens next. After submitting your application on the TTP platform, you will receive a temporary confirmation for participating. It takes between 4 and 6 weeks before the Global Entry enrolment center can fix an interview.
• During the interview process at the enrolment center, your photo and fingerprints will be recorded, security questions may also be asked. If you check out all the boxes, your application will be approved, and you can travel faster.

How Long Does Global Entry Approval take?

The Global Entry Program usually gets approved within 4 to 6 weeks after application. After the time frame, if it gets approved, an interview date will be chosen.

What are the Benefits of the Global Entry Program?

Travelers with the Global Entry Program access sure have a lot to gain over regular travelers else the program will not exist. Here are some of the benefits participants enjoy:

• Participants can avoid the long queues at the border official's duty post.
• A separate checkpoint is dedicated to the program participants at the airport in the US, allowing them to gain access into the US faster.
• Participants in this program can carry out identity checks by themselves instead of joining the characteristic long queue at the airport on arrival.

Citizens of countries eligible for the Global Entry Program who have reasons to travel in and out of the USA frequently are advised to apply for the program. It has a validity period of 5 years, during which its participants can avoid the long queues at the airport.

Can Children Participate in the Global Entry Program?

Individuals regarded as minors can also partake in the global entry program; there are no minimum age requirements. However, because they are minors and are still under the tutelage of their parents or guardians, they will be required to be present during the application process of their children.

The application process is essentially the same for adults and minors. Minors will have their biometric details like photos and fingerprints stored. During the interview process, the parents or guardians are required to be present; this is regardless of whether the parent or guardian is a participant of the Global Entry Program.

Participants go through at the airport?

As earlier stated, participants in the global entry program do not pass through the same processes as regular travelers. This section describes the process they pass through.

When participants arrive at the airport, they locate the closest Global Entry Kiosk instead of the regular border officials stand. The kiosk is an independent machine that allows travelers to perform identity checks by themselves. Participants scan their passports and fingerprints using appropriate scanners. The Customs declaration form is expected to be filled out at once.

In response to the personal details put into the kiosk, it prints out a receipt. The receipt would explain to the traveler if they need to visit the customs for a check or move directly to baggage claim.

Ensure that you do not take the Global Entry Kiosk for the passport control terminals. The passport control terminal is available for the service of any traveler with an electronic passport. It is limited in functions such as fingerprint scanning.

Do I Still Need a Visa or ESTA Despite Global Entry?

The Electronic System for travel authorization (ESTA) serves as an entry permit for citizens from eligible countries. It abolishes the need for a visa for short-term visits like tourism and business to the US. ESTA has a validity period of two years and allows a maximum stay of 90 days per visit.

Every visitor to the US needs a valid visa or an ESTA, even if you have a Global Entry. Global Entry only accelerates checking at the airport and gives you faster access into the country. ESTA only serves to replace the need for a visa since it is easier to apply for and is cheaper; however, it is only available for citizens of select countries.

How Long is the Global Entry Membership Valid for?

The Global Entry Membership is usually valid for five years, but German participants must have a new security check with Federal Police after two years.

What Happens if My Global Entry Expired?

After the five years of validity, it is possible to renew the Global Entry membership. You just need to log into your account on the Trusted Traveler Program and renew the application online. Once the renewal fees are paid, the Global Entry membership should be extended.

How Much Does US Global Entry Cost?

The application fee for US Global Entry is $100.

How Much is Global Entry Renewal?

The fee for renewing your Global Entry Renewal is $100.

Why was my Global Entry Application Rejected?

A Global Entry application can be rejected for a number of reasons, such as providing incorrect information in the application, or not including adequate details. The applicant must be a national of a country that is eligible for the program and if they are not, this will lead to an automatic rejection. Another reason that the application could be rejected is if the applicant has a previous or current criminal offense on their record.

Conclusion

In summary, the Global Entry Program is designed to make the traveling process easier and more enjoyable for everyone. For eligible participants, it means no more waiting in the long queues; for border officials, it means a lesser number of people to attend to.

The application process usually takes between 4 and 6 weeks and costs $100. It has a validity period of five years and is advised for eligible citizens who plan to travel in and out of the US frequently for the next five years. There are no age requirements for applying; however, minors need to have their parents or guardians present during the application process.