
Global Entry FAQs
By: Allen E. Kaye
The Global Entry is a new pilot program managed by U.S.
Customs and Border Protection which allows pre-approved,
low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival into
the United States. Participants will enter the United States
by utilizing automated kiosks located, first at Terminal
4 - John F. Kennedy International Airport, Washington-Dulles
International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental
Airport. The process will require participants to present
their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent residency
card, submit their fingerprints for biometric verification,
and make a customs declaration at the kiosk’s touch-screen.
Upon successful completion of the Global Entry process at
the kiosk, the traveler will be issued a transaction receipt
and directed to baggage claim and the exit, unless chosen
for a selective or random secondary referral.
Q: What is the benefit of using Global Entry?
A: Individuals approved to participate in Global Entry will
be able to:
-
Use dedicated Global Entry kiosks at
designated airports to bypass the regular Passport Control
lanes; and
-
Enter the United States without routine
CBP questioning, unless chosen for a selective or random
secondary referral.
Global Entry will allow CBP officers to concentrate their
efforts on potentially higher-risk travelers and goods,
which will help to ensure security and integrity at our
borders.
Q: Where are the kiosks?
A: The kiosks are located in the Federal Inspection Services
area (CBP area) in Terminal 4 -JFK, Dulles Airport, and
Houston Intercontinental Airport.
Q: Will Global Entry shorten my wait time when
entering the United States via a participating airport?
A: CBP expects that Global Entry will shorten wait and processing
times for participants at the pilot airports. Part of the
purpose of this pilot is to measure its impact on the public.
Q: Will I be exempt from secondary screening as
a Global Entry participant?
A: Participants are exempt from routine CBP questioning.
However, Global Entry participants are subject to additional
screening at any time in the Customs process on a random
basis or if selected by CBP officers.
Q: Will Global Entry give me any benefits when
I am leaving the United States or entering another country?
A: Global Entry does not provide any benefits for persons
exiting the United States; the process is only applicable
upon re-entry. At this time, no benefits are available for
Global Entry participants entering another country although
the potential exists pending the establishment of bi-lateral
agreements with specific countries.
Q: When will Global Entry be available to the public?
A: Enrollment in Global Entry will begin May 12, 2008 and
operations at JFK (Terminal 4), Washington Dulles, and Houston
Intercontinental will begin June 10, 2008.
Q: How long will the pilot run?
A: The pilot is expected to continue for at least six months
and continue as long as needed to collect data for evaluation.
Any decision for a permanent program is subject to the decision
of DHS based on the results of the evaluation.
Q: Where are the kiosks?
A: The kiosks are located in the Federal Inspection Services
area (CBP area) in Terminal 4 - JFK; Dulles Airport; and
Houston Intercontinental Airport.
Q: How will the American government make sure that
travelers enrolled in Global Entry are low-risk?
A: First, travelers must be pre-approved before they can
participate in the pilot project. All applicants will undergo
a rigorous background check and will be interviewed by a
CBP Officer before they are enrolled in the Global Entry
pilot. Second, automated enforcement checks will take place
every time the member uses the Global Entry kiosk to enter
the United States. Third, any member of Global Entry may
be examined at any time when entering the United States.
Eligibility
Q: Who may apply for Global Entry?
A: • Individuals who are: A) 14 years of age and older
and B) U. S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals or U.S. Lawful Permanent
Residents.
However, individuals may not qualify if they:
-
Are inadmissible to the United States
under applicable immigration laws;
-
Provide false or incomplete information
on their application;
-
Have been convicted of a criminal offense
in any country;
-
Have been found in violation of customs
or immigration laws; or
Fail to meet other Global Entry requirements.
-
If an individual does not meet the requirements
of Global Entry, their application will be denied.
Q: Can children belong to Global Entry?
A: Children 14 years of age and older, but under the age
of 18, must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian
to participate in the pilot. Children under the age of 14
are not eligible to participate in the pilot.
Q: Is there a ceiling on the number of participants
who can join Global Entry?
A: Global Entry does not have a prescribed limit on the
number of members beyond the practical restrictions inherent
in processing membership applications.
Q: If I am not a U.S. Citizen, National or Lawful
Permanent Resident, when can I join?
A: At this time, only U.S. Citizens, U.S. Nationals and
U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents can join Global Entry. CBP
is working with several countries on bi-lateral agreements
to expand the Global Entry to allow their respective citizens
and lawful permanent residents to join Global Entry and
to allow Americans to join their equivalent to Global Entry.
CBP cannot predict when such agreements will be reached.
Any changes in the eligibility requirements for Global Entry
will be announced via notice in the Federal Register.
Enrollment
Q: How can I apply for Global Entry?
A: Beginning May 12, 2008, applications may be completed
and submitted on-line through the Global On-line Enrollment
System (GOES) at CBP.gov. ( CBP.gov ) A non-refundable $100
per person applicant processing fee is payable on-line at
the time of application.
Q: What documents do I need to apply for Global
Entry?
A: At a minimum, you must bring to the enrollment center
a valid passport/ travel document and visa if required,
and a second document, such as a driver's license, to demonstrate
your current place of residence.
Q: What will happen after I apply through GOES?
A: Applying to Global Entry, is a two-step process:
-
CBP officers at the Centralized Vetting
Center will use the biographic information provided on
your application to conduct an initial background check
to make sure you are eligible to become a member of Global
Entry.
-
If you are eligible, you will receive
a message in your GOES account inviting you to the nearest
enrollment center to be interviewed by a CBP officer.
During this interview, CBP will also:
-
Verify and copy your original documents
for our records;
-
Collect your fingerprints data to
be used to conduct a biometric-based background check;
-
Take a digital photograph of your
face;
-
Explain the terms and conditions
of Global Entry membership; and
-
Demonstrate how to use the automated
Global Entry kiosks found at participating airports.
At this stage, your application is complete pending
CBP’s final determination on your eligibility.
CBP will make a final determination only after it
completes all three stages (biographic check, interview
and biometric check).
-
If you are denied membership, you
will receive a message notifying you of CBP’s
decision.
Q: If I do not live near one of the three pilot
airports, can I join Global Entry?
A: Yes, an individual does not need to live near one of
the pilot airports to join. However, the CBP enrollment
centers are at these airports, and the applicant would need
to visit one of these enrollment centers for his or her
eligibility interview.
Q: What personal information do I have to provide
and why?
A: CBP will collect personal information from your application
form, such as your name, date of birth, address, citizenship,
proof of citizenship, and residency information. This information
will be used for background checks and to administer the
pilot project. The information may be shared with other
law enforcement and government agencies in the United States
in accordance with applicable laws for the purpose of assessing
your application. The information will be stored in a secure
CBP database.
NOTE: Membership in Global Entry is voluntary. The application
form contains privacy statements about the use of the personal
information collected.
Q: Is there a fee?
A: Yes. There is a non-refundable $100 application processing
fee per applicant. It is payable at the time of enrollment
through GOES.
Using Global Entry at the Airports
Q: How will Global Entry work?
A: When you arrive in the CBP inspection area, go directly
to the kiosk. You do not have to go through the Passport
Control lines.
The kiosk screen will prompt you to insert your machine-readable
passport or LPR card. You will then be prompted to place
your index fingers on the fingerprint pad. The kiosk will
compare the fingerprints presented to the fingerprints on
file to confirm the traveler’s identity. The kiosk
will then prompt you to use the touch screen to answer standard
Customs questions declaring what goods and currency amounts
you are bringing into the country. Then, the kiosk will
issue a transaction receipt instructing you to either exit
the area, or go to the nearest Passport Control lane for
further inspection.
You will give the kiosk receipt to the CBP officer at the
exit control point or in the secondary inspection area.
All Global Entry members remain subject to examination
at any time when entering the United States.
Q: How do Global Entry members declare goods they
are bringing into the United States?
A: Members entering the United States must complete the
declaration questions prompted by the kiosk.
Q: How will Global Entry members pay duties and
taxes on goods that exceed personal exemptions?
A: Members can either go through the kiosks or the regular
Passport Control lanes. They will then be directed to the
CBP secondary area for further processing.
Q: How does the $10,000 currency reporting legislation
affect me?
A: You must report currency or monetary instruments equal
to or greater than USD $10,000. You may use the kiosk or
you may use the regular lane to make your declaration to
a CBP officer.
For more information, see the U.S. Department of Treasury
FinCen 105, Report of International Transportation of Currency
or Monetary Instruments.
Q: What happens if a traveler fails to report goods
or to comply with CBP requirements while using the Global
Entry automated kiosk?
A: Global Entry has a zero tolerance policy for violations.
If a Global Entry member violates any of the terms and conditions,
CBP officers will take appropriate enforcement action and
will cancel the person's membership privileges. The application
fee in non-refundable.
Redress
Q: If CBP denies me entry in the program, can I
appeal their decision?
A: Applicants who are not accepted into the Global Entry
pilot have three channels for redress: a) directly with
the enrollment center; b) DHS Travelers Redress Inquiry
Program (DHS TRIP); and c) the CBP Trusted Traveler Ombudsman.
Please see the CBP website for more information on how to
seek redress.
Q: I was denied membership into Global Entry pilot
but was not given the reason. Can I find out why CBP did
not accept me?
A: Consistent with privacy law and national security considerations,
DHS and CBP may not reveal the specific reason for an applicant’s
denial in either the initial notification or the redress
process depending on the circumstances of a particular case.
The Future
Q: When is Global Entry going to expand the number
of participating airports?
A: CBP will announce any additional sites for Global Entry
pilots via a notice in the Federal Register.
Integration with other Programs
Q: I am a member of NEXUS, Secure Electronic Network
for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) and Free and Secure
Trade (FAST). Does that help me get into Global Entry?
A: CBP is exploring ways to integrate members of its NEXUS,
and SENTRI programs on an optional basis.
Q: I am a member of TSA’s Registered Traveler
pilot. Can I use the Global Entry kiosk when returning to
the United States?
A: DHS envisions close ties among the CBP trusted traveler
programs and ties to other programs, such as the Transportation
Security Administration’s (TSA) Registered Traveler
(RT). While Global Entry and RT will differ as needed to
serve each program’s mission and operating environment,
DHS will pursue common policies where appropriate. For example,
with the permission of the applicant, TSA and CBP might
share biographic and biometric enrollment information to
allow individuals to join both programs with a single application.
This cooperation would make the enrollment process more
convenient for the applicant and more efficient for the
programs. CBP is working with TSA on identifying areas of
cooperation. In the meantime, RT members will need to join
Global Entry separately to use the Global Entry kiosk when
returning to the United States during the Global Entry pilot’s
initial evaluation period.
Q: Can I join Global Entry using a private sector
company?
A: No. At this time, Global Entry is a pilot and enrollment
is conducted exclusively through CBP.
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