Global Entry Program Expands, NBAA Offers Opportunity to Participate

August 16, 2013

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced an expansion of the Global Entry program. Global Entry participation was originally limited to U.S. citizens, nationals and lawful permanent residents, as well as Mexican nationals and certain eligible citizens of the Netherlands. Now certain citizens of Germany, South Korea, Qatar and the United Kingdom also will be eligible to participate in Global Entry.

Global Entry is an international trusted traveler program that allows pre-approved, low-risk individuals expedited entry into the U.S. using Global Entry kiosks. Global Entry kiosks are currently available at 34 U.S. airports and 10 CBP preclearance locations in Ireland and Canada. CBP reports these locations serve 98 percent of all incoming air travelers.

“NBAA welcomes this announcement,” said Doug Carr, NBAA’s vice president of safety, security, operations & regulation. “This will have a positive impact on U.S. companies that employ foreign nationals from participating countries and for international travelers broadly. These foreign nationals will now see the significant, time-saving benefits of the Global Entry program. Global Entry participants don’t wait in long lines for an interview with a CBP officer. Instead they go to Global Entry kiosks, swipe their passports, scan their fingerprints, answer questions found on the paper I-94 form, and then are on their way. CBP always reserves the right to inspect passengers and their belongings, but typically Global Entry passengers do not face additional screening.”

All participants from countries named in the expansion must successfully complete a risk assessment by both their own state security branch and CBP, as well as undergo an interview with CBP. Eligibility requirements vary based on an individual’s state of citizenship and current participation in their state’s equivalent trusted traveler program, where applicable. Eligibility requirements and application processes are available in the Aug. 9 Federal Register notice.

Review the Federal Register notice on the expansion of Global Entry.

U.S. Global Entry participants will have the ability to participate in Korea’s Smart Entry System, and a limited number of Global Entry participants will be eligible to participate in Germany’s Automated and Biometrics-Supported Border Controls Plus program.

“We are excited to hear that more individuals who hold themselves out for higher scrutiny will receive time-saving benefits in their travel experience,” said Carr. “We are hopeful that additional countries will join CBP’s program to expand speedy border crossings to more locations.”

To that end, NBAA is providing attendees of its annual Business Aviation Convention & Exhibition (NBAA2013) in Las Vegas an opportunity to complete the required CBP interview during the show. CBP representatives will be on-site to conduct the interview necessary for obtaining Global Entry approval. Individuals wishing to schedule a CBP interview during the event should complete the online application via the Global On-Line Enrollment Systems. After receiving tentative approval, the individual should select “NBAA – Las Vegas” for the interview location.

Only badged attendees of the NBAA event can access the CBP interview facility.

“NBAA is happy to facilitate trusted travelers in obtaining Global Entry approval and experiencing the benefits of the program,” said Carr. “We appreciate CBP’s participation in providing this great benefit to our Members and attendees of our Convention.”