global entry international travel guide · the process of applying for the global entry program...

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GlobalEntryServices.org

GLOBAL ENTRYINTERNATIONAL TRAVEL GUIDE

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GuideIntroduction

Global Entry kiosk, you will be issued a traveler’s receipt and directed to baggage claim and the airport’s exit. Each person that applies to join the Global Entry program will be approved or not approved on a case-by-case basis depending on U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s final assessment of the applicant’s file.

The process of obtaining Global Entry status requires applicants to undergo thorough background checks, an interview with a customs official and to submit proper payment. The Global Entry program is an available option for citizens and legal residents from a variety of nations, including South Korea, Mexico and the Netherlands. Global Entry is also afforded to Canadian citizens and residents who are members of the NEXUS program. For more information on Global Entry, how to apply for Global Entry and how to appeal a Global Entry application denial, read the information outlined in this helpful guide.

Global Entry is a frequent-traveler program administered by the U.S Customs and Border Protection.

Members of the Global Entry program are given priority status at customs when arriving to the U.S. from another country. Members of the Global Entry program are considered low risk and must be pre-screened for pre-approval prior to flying. Once approved, passengers can use their Global Entry status to bypass the standard (and frequently crowded) customs lines.

Global Entry kiosks help travelers speed through the initial customs checkpoint by allowing program participants to present their passport or permanent resident card, scan their fingerprints and declare all items with customs from one convenient location. Once you are done with the

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Table of Contents

GuideIntroduction

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About Global Entry

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Top Reasons to Enroll in Global Entry

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Countries Participating in Global Entry

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Global EntryEligibility Requirements

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Who is ineligible toapply for Global Entry?

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Global EntryAppeals Process

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Global EntryApplication Process

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Global EntryInterview

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Global EntryRenewal

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Global EntryStats

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Global Entry Tips forBetter Travel

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Future ofGlobal Entry

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Difference betweenGlobal Entry and TSA Precheck

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Global EntryParticipating Airports

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ProhibitedTravel Items

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About Global Entry

Global Entry is a program administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency that allows pre-approved and low-risk passengers to bypass the lengthy customs check upon returning to the U.S. from another country.

The expedited status is only available to Global Entry applicants who have completed both the required background checks and the official interviews before ultimately receiving membership approval. Travelers can apply for Global Entry by submitting an application to Customs and Border Protection along with the non-refundable $100 application fee. To learn more about Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry Program, read the information in the sections below:

• The application process

• Using Global Entry at the airport

• Additional Global Entry benefits

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Global Entry Application Process

Travelers can apply for Global Entry membership by completing an application and submitting it to a Customs and Border Protection office with the application fee. Once the form is processed, you must complete both a background check and an in-person interview. Global Entry background checks require applicants to submit their fingerprints for record-keeping and verification purposes. During the Global Entry interview, applicants will also need to provide proof of identity (valid U.S. passport, permanent resident card, etc.) and proof of legal residency in a U.S. state (driver’s license, rental/mortgage paperwork, utility bills, etc.).

Global Entry interviews are geared towards finding out more about the applicant and the information he or she provided on the application (travel habits, countries visited, purposes of traveling, etc.). Once the interview is complete, you will be notified by Customs and Border Protection as to whether or not you received Global Entry approval.

How to Use Global Entry at the Airport

Once you have received approval to enter the Global Entry program, you can use this status during your travels. To do so, visit a Global Entry kiosk at immigration upon returning to the United States from another country. Global Entry kiosks require you to verify your identity using your fingerprints. From there, the kiosk asks you a few questions and records a facial photo for the database. The kiosk will issue you a traveler’s receipt, at which point you may proceed to baggage claim and the airport exit.

Other Global Entry Benefits

While Global Entry is a convenient method of getting through customs at the end of your trip, it does not apply to the other side of traveling: leaving on your trip. Luckily, members of the Global Entry program are also eligible for TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck allows travelers access to

expedited security checkpoints on their way to their flight’s departure gate. TSA PreCheck is available at participating airports.

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Top Reasons to Enroll in Global Entry

Global Entry is a program that shortens lengthy lines at customs checkpoints across the country.

Global Entry applicants are required to undergo various background checks and interviews, along with paying a non-refundable application fee. Administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, the program allows travelers returning to the U.S. from other countries to access the expedited Global Entry kiosks when passing through immigration at the airport. However, enrolling in Global Entry is beneficial to members for a number of other reasons as well. Find out why enrolling is a smart decision by reading the sections outlined below:

• Global Entry saves time

• Global Entry enrollment leads to TSA PreCheck approval

• The Global Entry validity period is lengthy

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Enrolling in Global Entry Saves Travelers Time

Global Entry also saves passengers time while they are in other countries too. Global Entry is currently being utilized in many airports across the globe, including airports in Abu Dhabi, Guam and Dublin.

Global Entry Automatically Enrolls Members in TSA PreCheck

While Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are administered by different departments in the U.S. government, enrollment also automatically adds Global Entry members in the TSA PreCheck program. Gaining TSA PreCheck status allows travelers access to expedited lanes at security checkpoints on the way to their flight terminals. TSA PreCheck members are pre-approved for security

One of the most promoted positives of enrolling in the Global Entry program concerns the amount of time it saves travelers. Non-enrolled passengers returning to the U.S. on international flights will stand in line at customs waiting to re-enter the country for an average of half an hour. With Global Entry, you can bypass this wait and head straight to a Global Entry kiosk where you can identify yourself, declare items and receive your receipt in just a couple of minutes.

checkpoints and therefore do not have to follow the same procedures as you would at standard checkpoints (i.e. body scan, removal of shoes, etc.). Instead, TSA PreCheck lanes utilize a metal detector, allowing quicker access to your terminal.

Global Entry Validity Periods Are Long Enough to Justify Cost

The process of applying for the Global Entry program requires travelers to fill out the appropriate form, pay a non-refundable application fee, undergo a background check

and sit for an interview with a customs official. Though this process may seem lengthy, Customs and Border Protection affords group members a five-year period of eligibility following application approval, so you do not have to go through the application process annually. In addition, Global Entry members also enjoy a less strenuous renewal process. Global Entry travelers can renew their status up to one year prior to the expiration date.

Countries Participating in Global Entry

Global Entry is a program that allows members to enjoy an expedited customs process upon returning to the U.S. from another country.

Global Entry kiosks are generally regulated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection as a measure to decrease wait times at customs checkpoints in participating airports. However, the U.S. is not the only country that currently utilizes the Global Entry program. Read below to find out more about the other nations participating in the Global Entry program.

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Global Entry Countries

Currently, there are 10 countries that participate in Global Entry programs. These countries typically have reciprocal agreements with U.S. Customs and Border Protection to create a partnership between the participating country’s trusted traveler program and the United States’ Global Entry program. Participating countries include the following:

• United States

• India

• Germany

• Panama

• Argentina

• United Kingdom

• Singapore

• Colombia

• South Korea

• Switzerland

• Taiwan

• Mexico

As time passes, more countries are sure to partner with Global Entry to increase the ease of international travel.

Global EntryEligibility Requirements

The United States Customs and Border Protection agency has created the Global Entry program in an effort to expedite customs declarations and security checks at airports across the country.

Upon return to the U.S., Global Entry members can utilize program kiosks for self-identification, declaring items and claiming their receipts to enter the country. Travelers interested in Global Entry must submit an application, undergo a background check and fingerprinting, pay the non-refundable application fee and participate in an interview conducted by a customs official. Once approved, you will have access to the expedited Global Entry kiosks, as well as a host of other benefits. However, before applying for Global Entry membership, travelers should first make sure they are eligible for the program. One of the primary requirements for the program is that applicants must either be older than 17 years of age or have a parent accompany them during the application process to provide consent. To find out more about Global Entry eligibility requirements, read the sections outlined below:

• Countries of eligibility

• Reasons for Global Entry denial

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Countries Eligible for Global Entry Status

While U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents are all eligible to apply for Global Entry status, a number of other countries work with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s trusted traveler program.

Depending on the country you reside in, additional requirements set by U.S. Customs and Border Protection must be met prior to Global Entry approval. Additionally, Global Entry benefits are also available to Canadian citizens and legal permanent residents through the country’s NEXUS program, which automatically enrolls members in Global Entry.

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How to Remain Eligible for Global Entry

All U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents 18 years of age or older are eligible to apply for Global Entry status through U.S. Customs and Border Protection.However, submitting an application for Global Entry in no way guarantees that you will be approved. When applying for Global Entry status, applicants are urged to follow all instructions and submit all required documents. Submitting an incomplete application or an application with false information will result in your application being denied and the loss of your application fee. Global Entry eligible applicants must also have never been convicted

of a criminal offense. Likewise, applicants cannot have outstanding charges or warrants for any criminal offenses on their records.

Additionally, eligible Global Entry applicants are not allowed to have any customs, immigration or agriculture violations on their records, whether in the United States or another country. Any travelers who are currently being investigated by any government agencies (federal, national or local) cannot apply, either.

Generally speaking, most applicants who prove to be low-risk and are either U.S. citizens or permanent legal residents of the country will be approved for Global Entry.

Who is ineligible toapply for Global Entry?

The U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency has created the Global Entry program to expedite the immigration process for pre-approved travelers re-entering the United States from a foreign country.

To apply for Global Entry status, citizens and permanent residents can submit an application to U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Once the application is processed, you must pay the $100 non-refundable application fee, complete a background check (requires fingerprinting) and sit for an interview with a customs official. Following your interview, you will be notified whether or not your application was approved. Prior to completing the Global Entry application process though, prospective Global Entry applicants should first make sure they are not ineligible for approval. Applicants must be at least 18 years of age to apply for Global Entry without providing consent from a parent or legal guardian. To find out more about the factors that render a Global Entry applicant ineligible for approval, read the sections outlined below:

• Residents of countries not participating in Global Entry

• Other reasons for ineligibility

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Residents of Certain Countries Are Ineligible for Global Entry

Entry Global Entry is a program primarily administered by the United States Custom and Border Protection agency. However, other countries allow pre-approved travelers expedited passage through Global Entry kiosks as well. Countries aside from the United States that participate in Global Entry include:

• United States

• India

• Germany

• Panama

• Argentina

• United Kingdom

• Singapore

• Colombia

• South Korea

• Switzerland

• Taiwan

• Mexico

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can also participate in Global Entry through the NEXUS program.

Other Reasons for Ineligibility

Citizens and permanent residents of participating countries are eligible for Global Entry provided they do not fit under any other disqualifying categories. U.S. Customs and Border Protection will deny Global Entry applications for a number of reasons that mostly relate to the trustworthiness of the traveler. For example, applicants who submit a Global Entry application with false information will be automatically disqualified from eligibility. Likewise, incomplete Global Entry applications will also be denied.

Global Entry applicants who have been convicted of any criminal offense are not eligible for approval. Additionally, applicants who have any pending charges or warrants on their record for any criminal offenses (i.e. DUI, reckless driving, drug convictions, etc.) are ineligible for Global Entry.

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Internationally, Global Entry applicants found to have past customs, agriculture or immigration violations on their record will not be allowed to utilize Global Entry kiosks. Citizens and permanent residents who are currently under investigation by a government agency (federal, state or local) will also be denied Global Entry access. Global Entry membership is also not extended to applicants with pending immigration statuses.

Generally speaking, Global Entry applicants must convince U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials that they are trustworthy and deserving of the low-risk status required to receive Global Entry status. Failure to do so will result in a Global Entry application denial.

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Global EntryAppeals Process

Membership in the United States’ Global Entry program is regulated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency.

Eligibility requirements for Global Entry membership include a clean criminal record and citizenship in a participating country. Applicants must also be at least 18 years of age or have a parent or legal guardian accompanying them to provide consent. In the event that your application for Global Entry is denied, you can appeal the decision through U.S. Customs and Border Protection. To find out more about the Global Entry application appeal process, read the sections below:

• Contact a Global Entry enrollment center

• Write a Global Entry application appeal letter

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Contact a Global Entry Enrollment Center

The moment you receive your letter of denial from U.S. Customs and Border Protection for your Global Entry application, contact the Global Entry enrollment center where your application interview was conducted. Once your identity has been verified, ask the customs official if he or she can supply you with a reason for your application denial. Though the agency is not required to provide you with a reason, it often will. Knowing why your application was denied allows you to see whether or not an appeal of the decision is worth the time and effort.

Write an Appeal Letter to the Global Entry Program

Once you have the reasoning behind your Global Entry application denial, draft an appeal letter arguing the case for why your application should be approved. If the reason your application was denied involves any criminal investigations or convictions, you will most likely need to supply officials with official court paperwork to support your argument.

Applicants can send completed appeal letters by email to [email protected]. You can also mail the letter through your local postal service to the following address:

U.S. Customs and Border ProtectionP.O. Box 946Williston, VT 05495Attention: CBP Ombudsman

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Global EntryApplication Process

Many travelers in the United States currently use their Global Entry status to limit the amount of time spent passing through customs upon returning to the country.

With Global Entry status, passengers can bypass the standard immigration lines and instead use the designated Global Entry kiosks. Global Entry allows individuals to process their customs forms and declare items (if necessary) using their fingerprints as identification. Global Entry members are low-risk travelers that are pre-approved for priority status through the Global Entry program application process. The initial Global Entry application process requires travelers to submit an application along with a $100 non-refundable application fee. Once this is processed, you will be required to submit certain documents, complete a background check and fingerprint scanning as well as sit for an interview with a Customs and Border Protection official to determine if you are eligible for pre-approval. Additionally, Global Entry members are also eligible for TSA PreCheck, the Transportation Security Administration’s expedited service for pre-boarding airport security screenings. To find out more about how to apply for Global Entry membership, read the sections outlined below:

• Applying for Global Entry

• Interviewing for Global Entry

• Activating a Global Entry card

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Global Entry Online Applications

To apply for Global Entry status, travelers must visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) page here. This page will allow them to sign up for several programs, including Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI and FAST. Users must create an account on TTP and fill out an application with the following information:

• Contact information (name, address, phone number, email address, etc.).

• Addresses of any prior residences you have lived at in the past 10 years.

• Any previous names or aliases you may have.

• Physical description (height, eye color, weight, etc.).

• Language preference.

• Date of birth (and birthplace).

• Passport information (including number, date of issue and expiration).

• Current status of employment.

• Recent employment history.

• Foreign countries visited.

Applicants must also include descriptions of any situations in which they were convicted of a felony either domestically or internationally. You must also include descriptions of any time you were denied entry to the United States or were found to be in violation of U.S. Customs and Border Protection policies. Applicants with pending criminal cases or active warrants on their record will be automatically denied Global Entry status.

Once you have completed the online Global Entry application, you must submit it along with the non-refundable $100 application fee. Application fees can be paid by cashier’s check, money order or a credit/debit

card (Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express). Following submission, customs officials will process your application, and you can schedule your Global Entry interview.

After submitting your Global Entry online application, you will be notified of your application’s conditional approval. At this point, you will have a limited amount of time to schedule your Global Entry interview. These interviews are held at different Global Entry Enrollment Centers throughout the country. Applicants must schedule their interview as soon as possible, as interview appointment slots fill up quickly.

To ensure that you receive the earliest possible date for your Global Entry interview, try booking your interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center that is less busy. Additionally, applicants occasionally cancel their appointments. Regularly check the scheduling system for newly opened interview slots. Some Global Entry Enrollment Centers also allow applicants to sit for walk-in interviews as well.

https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/

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Global Entry Interviews

Global Entry Enrollment Centers do not email or call applicants to remind them about their interview appointment. Therefore, make sure to set reminders for your appointment. At the Global Entry Enrollment Center on the day of your interview, you will be asked to take a headshot photo. You will also need to provide customs officials with the following documents:

• Printed letter of conditional approval for your Global Entry application

• Valid U.S. passport or permanent resident card

• Proof of residency in the U.S. (i.e. driver’s license, mortgage/rental agreement, recent utility bill, tax return statement, etc.)

Global Entry interviews last between 15 and 30 minutes. During the interview, the customs official will request the above-listed documents and ask for confirmation that the information on your Global Entry application is correct. Once the customs official has deemed you a low-risk, trustworthy traveler, he or she will issue you a nine-digit number. This number is your Known Traveler Number, which should be used when booking flights to notify the airline of your Global Entry status. You will receive an official Global Entry card in the mail within two weeks.

Applicants who are denied Global Entry status will not be issued a Known Traveler Number. However, denied applications can be appealed.

Following approval at your Global Entry interview, you will be required to complete a training seminar on Global Entry kiosk use. Global Entry kiosks are used to expedite the immigration process by automating many functions, such as identification and item declaration. After completing this portion of the interview, you will be issued a receipt which can be used to pass through immigration at airports upon returning to the United States.

Once your interview is complete, be sure to take all your documents and identification with you.

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Global Entry Cards

Global Entry cards will arrive by mail at approved applicant’s residences within two weeks of interview completion. Once you receive your Global Entry card, you must revisit the TTP system to activate it. Simply click the “I am a member” link on the TTP page and then select, “I’ve already started applying.” Follow the steps to create a Login.gov account to be taken to a dashboard where you can enter your PASSID and activate your card.


Global EntryInterview

During the Global Entry application process, individuals are required to submit certain documents verifying their identity and residency.

After you have received conditional approval of your application, you must print out the approval letter and schedule an interview appointment at a local Global Entry Enrollment Center. Travelers with conditional approval letters from the Global Entry program must schedule an interview within 30 days of receiving approval. Global Entry interviews are part of the final step to gaining Global Entry status. During the interview, you will be asked questions about the personal information you entered on your application, including your travel habits, the countries you have visited and whether or not you have any history with the U.S. court system (i.e. criminal convictions, customs violations, etc.). For more information on Global Entry interviews, read the information below.

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Global Entry Interview Appointment Availability

Due to increased submissions, many Global Entry Enrollment Centers have their interview appointments booked for months ahead of time. To avoid this pitfall, search various Global Entry Enrollment Centers in your city. It will serve you better to schedule an appointment at one of the more obscure enrollment center locations, as they often have more appointment dates available.

Global Entry Interview Procedures

On the day of your Global Entry interview appointment, make sure to arrive at the Global Entry Enrollment Center on time. Additionally, bring the following documents with you:

• Conditional letter of approval

• Valid U.S. passport

• Proof of U.S. residency (i.e. driver’s license, birth certificate, recent utility bill, rental lease, mortgage statement, etc.)

During the interview, customs officials will compare the aforementioned documents with the information you entered on your Global Entry application. Additionally, they may ask you a series of questions including (but not limited to):

• Are you a U.S. resident?

• Do you have an arrest record?

• Have you ever transported packages of which you did not know the contents?

• Do you have dual-citizenship with any other countries?

• Do you have a history of violating customs and/or immigration laws?

• Have you every publicly renounced your U.S. citizenship?

Following the interview questions, customs officials will either approve or deny your application based on your perceived low travel risk and trustworthiness. Applicants who are approved will receive their Global Entry cards within two weeks. Applicants who are denied may submit an appeal to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Global EntryRenewal

Global Entry status is a privilege provided to members of the program who have completed the initial application procedures. Once you have obtained Global Entry status, your membership will be valid for five years.

One year before the expiration date, members are eligible to apply for Global Entry renewal. Luckily, the process of renewing Global Entry membership requires less steps than the initial Global Entry application process.

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To renew your Global Entry membership, go to the TTP website. Once you have logged into your system account, click on the blue Renew Application link under the words Program Membership. You will be taken to a Personal Information page where you will be able to complete the renewal and pay any necessary fees.

After you have successfully renewed your membership, you may receive conditional approval. If this is the case, you will need to complete an interview again. Schedule your interview as soon as possible to avoid having to wait too long. If your renewal is approved unconditionally, you will be sent a new card without needing to complete another interview.


Global EntryStats

Since its inception at a select few airports in 2002, Global Entry has expanded to dozens of airports including Miami International, Los Angeles International, Atlanta Hartsfield and Chicago O’Hare.

Initially operating out of New York’s John F. Kennedy Airport, Global Entry is an offshoot of a program called INSPASS. It was created by Customs and Border Protection’s predecessor, the U.S. Immigration and Naturalization Service (INS).

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Today, Global Entry is the largest of Customs and Border Protection’s Trusted Traveler Programs, which total 3.3 million members as of 2014 (programs include Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST). With an enrollment of over 1.7 million travelers, Global Entry currently operates in 42 U.S. airports, in addition to 15 Preclearance sites in various international locations such as Customs and Border Protection’s newest site: Abu Dhabi International Airport. Over 16 million travelers utilized a Customs and Border Protection Preclearance location in 2014 in the Caribbean, Ireland, the United Arab Emirates and Canada, among other countries. Together, these sites served 15 percent of the total international air travelers in 2014, including 99 percent of the travelers returning to the United States each day.

Coupled with other trusted traveler programs such as NEXUS – Canada’s expedited travel program, which enrolled its one millionth member in 2014 – Global Entry and Customs and Border Protection provide expedited travel options to travelers from all over the world. In 2014 alone, Customs and Border Protection used Global Entry membership kiosks and Preclearance sites to clear 17.5 million travelers, 16 percent of the total air passengers that year.

Starting with a limited number of participating countries, the Global Entry program expanded in 2009 to include the Netherlands, thus allowing members of the Dutch Privium expedited travel program to utilize Custom and Border Protection kiosks when entering the country. Currently, 12 countries participate in the Global Entry program:

• United States

• India

• Germany

• Panama

• Argentina

• United Kingdom

• Singapore

• Colombia

• South Korea

• Switzerland

• Taiwan

• Mexico

Global Entry Tips forBetter Travel

Successfully enrolling in Global Entry is a surefire way to make your travels a bit easier.

However, Global Entry is just one of many methods for reducing the stressors that arise before, during and after a lengthy trip. Read below for a few tips on how enjoy better travel.

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Remember Your Documents

Before leaving for your trip, check your luggage and carry-ons to make sure you have packed all the documents that may be required at your destinations. Some countries are lenient about identification methods, while others require you to provide your passport at every border crossing.Additionally, pack the required identification for re-entering the United States, as Customs and Border Protection will require this.

Always Declare Items

Regardless of the type of item you are bringing into the United States on your return (i.e. souvenir, fruits, documents, etc.), make sure you declare it when asked by Customs and Border Protection. Even if the item was purchased at a duty free shop in the airport, declare it. Declaring each item reduces the chances that you will be flagged by Customs and Border Protection, further delaying your return.

Don’t Leave with Prohibited Items

Depending on the country you are visiting, certain items in your luggage may result in you being flagged by the foreign government’s immigration agency. For example, travelers visiting Cuba under recent foreign policy changes should refer to the U.S. Department of the Treasury Cuba Sanctions website to see which types of items they are allowed to bring.

Don’t Return with Prohibited Items

Prior to leaving the country, make sure you are aware of the types of items native to the area you will visit and compare them with the list of U.S. prohibited items (i.e. items made

from tortoiseshell or ivory, counterfeited products, etc.). Attempting to bring any prohibited items into the United States upon your return could result in a Customs and Border Protection flag. The same policy also applies to foreign medications that have not been approved for use in the country. Likewise, you may not bring certain types of food or live animals into the country either.

Be Careful

Practice caution when purchasing items from street vendors in areas you are not familiar with. Some street vendors may be marketing counterfeit items, or soliciting other illegal activities. Once again, attempting to bring counterfeit items back into the United States can result in you being flagged by Customs and Border Protection.

Future ofGlobal Entry

U. S . Customs and Border Protection has seen a drastic increase in its Trusted Traveler Program membership in recent years, particularly with Global Entry.

Global Entry is an expedited service that allows travelers returning to the U.S. from another country to pass through customs and immigration at the arriving airport using the much quicker Global Entry kiosks.

With this success, the future of Global Entry and Trusted Traveler Programs is bright. In the coming years, Global Entry will continue to expand its reach while also implementing new technology and methods for pre-screening airline passengers. As time passes, more countries will work with the U.S. Customs Global Entry program, helping to create a global community of trustworthy travelers. To find out more about the future of Global Entry, read the information below.

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Global Entry Expands Reach

Today, U.S. Customs and Border Protection has Global Entry arrangements with a number of countries, including Australia, Canada, Germany and Mexico. Future arrangements are currently underway to include a number of other countries as well. For example, as recently as June of 2016, the United States completed negotiations to launch Global Entry in Singapore. Through this agreement, U.S. citizens can join Singapore’s version of Global Entry: the enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System (eIACS). In return, Singapore residents can enroll in the United States’ Global Entry program. Likewise, as of December 2015, the United Kingdom was also added to the list of countries able to participate in Global Entry.

Global Entry Increases Security

In addition to expanding the number of countries participating in Global Entry, U.S. Customs and Border Protection also aims to bar any individuals from entering the country who plan on harming U.S. citizens. To do so, the agency continues to extend its reach outside of U.S. borders to prevent risky individuals from ever getting a chance to enter the country. Customs achieves this by providing preclearance services at foreign international airports to screen passengers before they get on U.S.-bound flights. U.S. Customs and Border Protection has seen significant results through this pre-screening process, clearing over 17.5 million of the 106 million passengers flying in 2014 alone.

With more countries agreeing to work with the Global Entry program each year, U.S. Customs and Border Protection hopes to expand its pre-clearance efforts to as many locations around the globe as possible.

Difference betweenGlobal Entry and TSA Precheck

U.S Customs and Border Protection has a number of Trusted Traveler Programs that allow airline passengers to receive expedited services during their travels.

Global Entry is one of the most popular of these programs. Another similar and equally popular Trusted Traveler Program is TSA PreCheck. TSA PreCheck allows passengers to skip the long lines at security checkpoints prior to boarding and instead undergo a less stringent and quicker security check, due to their pre-cleared status. TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are similar in many ways. However, there are a few key differences that distinguish these programs from each other.

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TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry Benefits

Though TSA PreCheck and Global Entry both allow travelers to pass through airports using an expedited service, each program’s benefits are for different parts of your trip. TSA PreCheck allows passengers to get through security quicker when heading to their gate for their flight departure. Travelers are subjected to a simple metal detector and can also keep on their shoes and other clothing items that standard security checkpoints force travelers to remove. On the other hand, Global Entry allows travelers to pass through immigration quicker once they have returned to the United States at the end of their trip.

TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry Fees

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are both valid for five years once you have completed the application process and have been cleared to receive your benefits. The price for a TSA PreCheck application submission is $85, while the Global Entry application fee is $100.

Choosing which Trusted Traveler Program is best to join depends on your travel habits. If you tend to travel only domestically, TSA PreCheck is the right plan for you, since you do not have to pass through immigration when traveling domestically. However, if you plan on frequently travelling internationally, Global Entry is the right plan for you.

Global EntryParticipating Airports

With nearly 75 airports worldwide participating in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program, travelers can enjoy expedited services at various locations.

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Participating Airports

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)*

Anchorage - Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC)

Aruba - Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)*

Austin - Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

Bermuda International Airport (BDA)*

Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS)

Burlington International Airport (BTV)*

Calgary International Airport (YYC)

Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT)

Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)*

Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)

Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)

Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)

Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)

Denver International Airport (DEN)

Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)

Dublin Airport (DUB)*

Edmonton International Airport (YEG)

Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)

Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)

George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)

Grand Bahamas International Airport (FPO)*

Guam International Airport (GUM)

Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)

Hartford – Bradley International Airport (BDL)

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)

Honolulu International Airport (HNL)

Houston – Hobby International Airport (HOU)

Indianapolis International Airport (IND)*

John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)

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John Wayne Airport (SNA)*

Kansas City International Airport (MCI)

Lambert - St. Louis International Airport (STL)

Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)

McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)

Miami International Airport (MIA)

Milwaukee - General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)

Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)

Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)

Nashville International Airport (BNA)

Nassau - Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas (NAS)*

New Orleans International Airport (MSY)

New York – Stewart International Airport (SWF)*

Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)

Oakland International Airport (OAK)*

Ontario International Airport (ONT)*

Orlando International Airport (MCO)

Orlando-Melbourne International Airport (MLB)*

Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB)

Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)

Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)

Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)

Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)

Portland International Airport (PDX)

Providence – T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)

Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)*

Sacramento International Airport (SMF)*

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)

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San Jose International Airport (SJC)*

San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU)

Seattle-Tacoma International Airport-SeaTac (SEA)

Shannon Airport (SNN)*

South Bend International Airport (SBN)*

Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)*

Tampa International Airport (TPA)

Toledo Express Airport (TOL)*

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)

Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)

Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson

International Airport (YWG)

*These airports do not have enrollment centers.

ProhibitedTravel Items

U.S. Customs and Border Protection works with a number of government agencies to enforce various laws that prohibit certain items from entering the country.

As a result, Customs and Border Protection has created a list of prohibited items that travelers cannot bring into the U.S. Prohibited items include products from other countries that can harm domestic communities in any way.

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Absinthe (or any type of alcoholic beverage).

Products with military or proliferation applications.

Biological Substances.

Ceramic tableware.

Certain Cuban-made products.

Cultural artifacts.

Cars. Dog and cat furs.

Drug paraphernalia. Firearms.

Fish and other types of wildlife.

Prepared food products.

With Global Entry, travelers receive expedited service when re-entering the country. However, travelers using Global Entry must still refrain from traveling with the following items:

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Fruits and vegetables.

Game & hunting trophies.

Gold.Haitian animal hide drums.

Medications.Merchandise from embargoed countries.

Pets. Photographic film.

Plants and seeds. Soil.

Textiles and clothing.Trademarked and copyrighted articles.

Prior to leaving on your trip, speak with a customs officer about the items you plan on traveling with to make sure they are permissible.

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