U.S. Customs Announces Pilot for ‘Trusted Traveler' Program

U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently announced that the Global Entry pilot program, scheduled to launch this summer, is designed to expedite the screening and processing of low-risk, frequent international “trusted” travelers entering the United States.

Global Entry will be available for U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents who are frequent international travelers, provided they have not been found guilty of a criminal offense, charged with a customs or immigration offense, or declared inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration legislation.

Biometric fingerprint technology will be used to verify the passenger’s identity and confirm his or her status as a Global Entry participant.

Upon returning from international travel, Global Entry-enrolled travelers may bypass the regular passport control line and proceed directly to the Global Entry kiosk. At the kiosk, the Global Entry traveler will activate the system by inserting a passport or U.S. permanent resident card into the document reader. The kiosk will direct the traveler to electronically provide his fingerprints and will compare that biometric data with the fingerprint biometrics on file.

A digital photograph will also be taken of the traveler as part of the transaction record. Finally, the traveler will be prompted to answer several CBP declaration questions posted on the kiosk’s touch-screen. Once the process is successfully completed, the traveler will be issued a transaction receipt which must be presented to the CBP officer as the participant leaves the CBP inspection area.

Applications for enrollment in the Global Entry program will be available through the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES).

The Global Entry application process:

1. Applicant must complete and submit an online application through GOES and pay a $100 fee through www.Pay.gov.

2. CBP officers will review the applicant’s information and a background investigation will be conducted.

3. Applicant will undergo an interview with CBP officers at an Enrollment Center at JFK, Houston or Dulles Airport.