Global Entry Program Description

By: Allen E. Kaye

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.

Beginning June 10, 2008, Global Entry will be available to approved members at Terminal 4 - John F. Kennedy International Airport, Washington-Dulles International Airport, and George Bush Intercontinental Airport. Prior to approval, applicants must be interviewed for eligibility at one of the enrollment centers that CBP has established at these airports.

Travelers must be pre-approved before they can participate in the pilot project. All applicants will undergo a rigorous background check and be interviewed by a CBP officer before they are enrolled. Automated enforcement checks will occur each time the member uses the kiosk to enter the United States. Although pre-approved for the program and determined to be low risk, members of Global Entry may be examined at any time when entering the United States.

Participants will enter the United States utilizing automated self-service kiosks. To report their arrival, participants will use their machine-readable U.S. passport or permanent residency card, submit their fingerprints for biometric verification, and make a CBP 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.

Global Entry participants are exempt from routine CBP questioning however, on a random basis or if selected by CBP officers, they may be subject to additional screening at any time in the Customs process.

What Are The Benefits Of Global Entry?
Individuals approved to participate in Global Entry are able to:

Global Entry is a harmonized program that allows applicants to complete a single application and pay one fee. This form can be submitted on-line via the Global On-Line Enrollment (GOES. Qualified applicants are required to come to a Global Entry Enrollment Center only once, for an interview). Global Entry allows United States border agencies to concentrate their efforts on potentially higher-risk travelers and goods, which helps to ensure the security and integrity of our borders.

What Are The Next Steps For Global Entry?

How Do I Apply?
Applications can be submitted through GOES at https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/. Payment must be made at the time of application. The processing fee for a 5-year membership is $100 US.
The Global Entry program 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.

U.S. citizens and U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents aged 14-years and older may apply to this program.

Global Entry Enrollment Centers

George Bush Intercontinental Airport:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Houston Intercontinental Airport
Terminal E
3870 North Terminal Road
Houston, TX 77032
Telephone: (281) 230-4672M
Fax: (281) 230-4676
Monday - Sunday 0800 to 1600

John F. Kennedy International Airport:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
JFK International Airport
Terminal 4, Second Floor
Jamaica, NY 11430
Telephone: (718) 553-1237
Fax: (718) 553-1783
Monday - Sunday 0600 to 2200

Washington Dulles International Airport:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
Deferred Inspection Unit/Enrollment Center
Washington Dulles International Airport
22685 Holiday Park Drive Suite 15
Sterling, VA 20166
Telephone: (703) 661-2854
Fax: (703) 661-0013
Monday - Friday 1100 to 1900

CBP to Issue New Frequent Traveler Cards
SENTRI Members Asked to Update Contact Information

Washington – U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced it will issue new cards for current Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection members starting today and members should be receiving them within the next week.

The new cards will have enhanced security features and will allow U.S. citizen cardholders to comply with the documentary requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
CBP will issue new SENTRI members the enhanced cards in July. All members must activate their cards within 30 days by going to the web. ( Global Online Enrollment System ) Additionally, current SENTRI members are requested to verify and update their contact information on-line. ( Global Online Enrollment System )

SENTRI is a land-border crossing program that provides expedited CBP processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers along the U.S./Mexico border.

The SENTRI program was first implemented at Otay Mesa, Calif. in 1995, and has grown to include 16 lanes at the nine largest ports of entry along the U.S.-Mexico border including San Ysidro, Calif.; Calexico, Calif.; Nogales, Ariz.; two crossings in El Paso, Texas; and the Texas ports of Laredo, Hidalgo and Brownsville. More than 165,000 travelers from both sides of the border are currently registered in the SENTRI program.

A similar program called Nexus serves citizens of the U.S. and Canada on the northern border. ( NEXUS Program )

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

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