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With the help of the Global Entry Program biometrically registered and security screened travelers of certain nationalities can carry out passport control themselves and automatically at almost all major US airports. This avoids long waiting times and speeds up entry into the United States. Below, we have compiled the most important information on the subject of global entry and the USA.

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What is the CBP Global Entry Program?

The US has four programs, called the Trusted Traveler Programs which can speed up entry for people who are in a hurry:

  1. Global Entry
  2. NEXUS
  3. SENTRI
  4. FAST

Global Entry is a United States Trusted Traveler Registration Program (= low-risk travelers) who, after prior security screening and subsequent admission, can take advantage of a simplified and faster entry control.

With a membership in the CBP Global Entry Program, US travelers can go through the identity check at border crossings independently and automatically, thus saving a lot of time.

The US Global Entry program is administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and is available at more and more US airports and recently also at the first harbor in Florida, for example, when entering the country by ship.

The program is aimed in particular at business travelers with several entries per year, diplomats and airline personnel. The Global Entry Program has grown considerably in recent years and is becoming increasingly popular with many US travelers. According to CBP statistics, there are now more than 12 million Global Entry users.

Bild von Global Entry APC Kiosks

Global Entry Program Benefits:

  • Significantly shorter wait times at US border control at airport
  • Less administrative work
  • Available at almost all major US airports
  • Simplified control for US domestic flights
  • Participation in the TSA PreCheck®
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Global Entry Program Requirements

Anyone wishing to benefit from the popular US entry program must meet certain Global Entry requirements. Basically, the following applies:

  1. Nationality
    Those who wish to register for CBP's Global Entry Program must have one of the authorized nationalities.
    While Germany and Switzerland are among the participating countries from the German-speaking countries, Austrian citizens are excluded from Global Entry.
  2. Security check
    In addition, Global Entry applicants have to pass a special security check. This background check differs depending on the country of origin. German nationals, for example, are checked by the Federal Police.
Tip
There is no prescribed minimum number of entries to the USA. Nevertheless, due to the application procedure and the associated application fee, participation in Global Entry is normally only worthwhile for people who fly to the USA frequently.
Who is eligible for Global Entry membership?

Nationals of the following countries may participate in the Global Entry Program:

North America:

  • USA
  • US immigrants (Green Card holders)
  • Canada (NEXUS program participants can take advantage of the Global Entry benefits)

Central and South America:

  • Argentina
  • Brazil
  • Colombia
  • Dominican Republic
  • Mexico
  • Panama

Europe

  • Germany
  • Croatia
  • Switzerland
  • The Netherlands
  • United Kingdom

Asia

  • Bahrain
  • India
  • Japan
  • Qatar
  • Republic of Korea
  • Singapore
  • Taiwan
Attention
Austria is currently not one of the participating countries. Austrian nationals are therefore not allowed to apply for Global Entry.
What are the reasons for rejecting an application?

The following reasons exclude admission to the Global Entry Program:

  • Nationality of a non-authorized country
  • Incorrect or incomplete information in the application
  • A previous conviction for a criminal offense, a current criminal charge or an outstanding arrest warrant
  • Current investigations of any kind against your own person
  • Previous violations of customs, immigration or agricultural regulations or laws of a country
  • CBP is not convinced of the low risk of danger posed by the applicants
Bild von einem Reisenden am Global Entry Kiosk

Global Entry Program Application

Program registration

Those who wish to benefit from fast-track entry into the U.S. must apply for membership in the Global Entry Program.

To be eligible to participate in Global Entry, applicants must go through several registration steps. Depending on the country of origin, some of the processing steps may differ.

Bild von der Bestätigung der Global Entry Mitgliedschaft

The Global Entry application process is as follows:

  1. Create online profile
    In the first step, applicants must submit an account on the website of the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP). There, an online application is filled out and the payment of the application fee in the amount of 100 US dollars. Subsequently, applicants will be assigned a Membership ID / PASSID for the Global Entry application.

  2. Security Check / Background Check
    The second step is the safety check at the appropriate national authority (the pre-check cannot be done in the U.S.). For German citizens, the preliminary border police check takes place at one of the registration offices of the Federal Police at the six largest German airports (Berlin Brandenburg, Düsseldorf, Frankfurt am Main, Hamburg, Hanover, Cologne/Bonn, Munich or Stuttgart).
    Note: Applicants must provide a membership number / PASSID number to the German Federal Police in order to complete the background check process.

  3. Preliminary Participation / Pre-Approval and Appointment
    Once your application has been reviewed and approved by both the U.S. and the national authority (e.g. German Federal Police) (= conditional approval), you will receive an email in your TTP account instructing you to schedule an interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centers or at a temporary location designated for Global Entry interviews.
    Due to long processing times, applicants are currently directed to complete the interview upon arrival in the United States via Enrollment on Arrival (EoA). No appointment is required for the EoA process.

  4. Interview date
    Whether you qualify for Global Entry will be determined at your Global Entry Interview. A U.S. Customs Border Protection officer will review your documents, ask you questions, take your picture, and scan your fingerprints. Bring your valid passport and also another form of identification, such as a driver's license or ID card, to the interview. Here you can get more information about the Global Entry Interview.

Once this final step is completed, a final confirmation of participation is sent to the applicant via e-mail.

How long does it take to register?

Expedited entry with Global Entry is more popular than ever. U.S. Customs and Border Protection received up to 10,000 Global Entry applications per day in 2022 due to the popularity of the US entry program. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers are increasingly backlogged with processing, so the wait time for Global Entry applications can take up to 12 months.

The US authority CBP recommends that conditionally approved Global Entry members complete the Global Entry Interview via Enrollment on Arrival whenever possible.

Can children become members?

Yes, children aged 14 and over can also register for the Global Entry Program. They can participate even if their parents are not members of the Global Entry Program. They must go through the registration process and submit their fingerprints just like adults.

However, minors under the age of 18 require the consent of their parents or legal guardians. A parent or legal guardian must be present at the registration interview.

Travel with Global Entry

The simplification of entry controls for Global Entry members continues to progress, enabling even faster entry clearance.

Upon arrival at one of the participating US airports, Global Entry program members can complete the entry procedures themselves at the Global Entry Portal or Global Entry Kiosk.

1. Manual document verification

Global Entry travelers scan their machine-readable passport or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card) at the installed Global Entry machines. The fingertips must then be placed on the scanner to check the fingerprints and a customs declaration can be completed. Finally, a paper receipt or a slip with further instructions is printed out at the Global Entry machine.

The traveler must either go to a US border official or can proceed directly to baggage drop-off.

2. Biometric facial recognition

All international airports in the USA now have biometric facial recognition technology, which enables secure, contactless entry into the USA and at the same time biometrically records the entry and exit of non-US citizens.

The Simplified Arrival procedure automates the manual document check (passport scanning and fingerprinting) through the use of biometric facial data: Travelers simply scan their face at the Global Entry portals, while the algorithm compares the scan with matching biometric facial data in the database and confirms the person's identity.

In addition, more and more Global Entry touchless portals are becoming available. The new touchless Global Entry portals use biometric face matching technology. The US authorities expect the new Global Entry machines to be introduced at all major US and international airports by the end of 2023.

Note

In September 2023, CBP introduced a free app for Global Entry participants. Travelers who are registered with Global Entry can use the Global Entry Mobile App to complete entry formalities on their cell phone instead of waiting in line or using a Global Entry portal or kiosk.
With the new app, travelers take a photo as a selfie, which is compared with a photo gallery and the identity is checked using biometric facial recognition. Once the photo has been submitted, a receipt is generated via the app, which can be presented directly to CBP officers.
Use of the Global Entry App was initially limited to seven US airports (Seattle Tacoma International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport, Miami International Airport, Orlando International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, Pittsburgh International Airport and George Bush Intercontinental Airport) and will be extended to other US airports.

Global Entry Validity

Validity

Currently, the Global Entry Program is in effect for five years.

German citizens must undergo a renewed check by the Federal Police once after two years in the context of an EasyPASS registration. For this purpose CBP will send an e-mail request to the participant. If this check is not complied with, the membership will expire.

Membership renewal

The membership can be renewed at the earliest one year before the expiry of the Global Entry validity.

To do this, participants must log in to their account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and update personal data there if necessary. Here you can now renew the application and subsequently pay the fees.

As soon as the membership status changes, the participant receives an e-mail.

Attention:The application for renewal must necessarily be made no later than the last day of the valid membership.

Grace Period

If you have renewed your Global Entry membership before the expiration date and the renewal (Renewal) has not yet been approved, CBP now grants 6 months after expiration of membership in which you can continue to use the benefits of the Global Entry program. This means that verified members can continue to use expedited entry to the United States for six months after membership expires, even if the renewal application has not yet been finalized (= pending).

Our Global Entry Service

  • Assistance: We provide extensive information and help with compiling the application documentation.
  • Control and correction: We review your application documents and check them for correctness.
  • Creating the profile: We create your online account for the Global Entry application and prepare you for the required security check with the national authority.
  • Application: We advance the Global Entry participation fee and take care of the online submission of your Global Entry application to the US authorities. We will then keep an eye on the status of your application and notify you of its provisional approval (or rejection, if applicable).
  • Interview: We will arrange the interview appointment at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centers. To ensure that everything runs smoothly, we take care of compiling all the necessary documents and prepare you for the personal interview.
  • Membership: We will notify you of the approval and prepare you for your first entry as a Global Entry member. Finally, we will send you information on Global Entry membership and provide you with the profile data for your personal Global Entry account.
Apply for Global Entry with us
The most frequently asked questions about the Global Entry Program

Currently, the registration fee is 100 U.S. dollars per person. In Germany, the preliminary examination at the Federal Police is free of charge. Please check specific requirements in your home country.

Participation in the Global Entry Program is primarily worthwhile for persons who wish to enter the United States several times in the next five years for professional or private reasons.

Those who only want to enter the U.S. once for a holiday or business trip do not need a Global Entry membership.

A Global Entry kiosk is a vending machine that can carry out entry checks automatically. They are often confused with the passport control machines, which can be used by anyone. The functions of the Global Entry kiosk are much more extensive and only accessible to participants of the Global Entry Program.

Thanks to biometric facial recognition, the latest Global Entry kiosk models operate without contact. This enables even faster and more secure processing and is also advantageous from a hygiene point of view. However, these new kiosks have yet to be introduced across the country.

Here is a list of all U.S. airports equipped with Global Entry kiosks.

The entitlement to participate in the Global Entry Program remains valid even if the passport expires and a new passport must be issued. However, the new passport must be officially registered for the Global Entry Program so that the new passport number and validity dates can be noted.

If the participant's master data changes, such as last name after marriage, the participant must appear in person at a Global Entry Enrollment Center and present the new passport there.

Only U.S. citizens, U.S. immigrants (green card holders) and Mexican citizens receive a Global Entry Card.

This card is not required for accelerated entry into the United States through Global Entry Kiosks.

No, the membership is not transferable. Only registered Global Entry members can take advantage of the fast entry to the United States.

No, Global Entry is not usable with all US visas without exception. If you are a holder:in one of the following visas, then you are excluded from Global Entry:

  • C-1
  • C-2
  • C-3
  • H-1C
  • H-2A
  • H-2B
  • H-2R
  • H-3
  • K-1
  • K-2
  • K-3
  • K-4
  • M-1
  • M-2
  • N-8
  • N-9
  • Q-1
  • Q-2
  • Q-3
  • S-5
  • S-6
  • S-7
  • T-1
  • T-2
  • T-3
  • T-4
  • T-5
  • U-1
  • U-2
  • U-3
  • U-4
  • U-5

The Global Entry procedure serves exclusively to accelerate the entry procedure and does not replace an entry and residence permit.

Thus, participants of the Global Entry Program still need a valid U.S. visa or a valid ESTA authorization (if they are traveling visa-free) to enter the U.S. in any case.Global Entry registration is possible with the most common US visas (e.g. B-1 Business Visa or E-Work Visa).

Attention: The use of Global Entry is not possible with all visa categories.

The nine-digitGlobal Entry Membership Numberis considered to beGlobal Entry PASSIDorKnown Traveler Numberdesignates. The Global Entry Number is locatedTop lefton the back of theGlobal Entry Cardwhich, for example, U.S. citizens or green card holders receive. Those who do not have a physical Global Entry card will find their membership number in theLogin area of the Trusted Traveler Program website.

There is a second nine-digit number in the upper right corner. This is the number of theGlobal ID Card.

Notice:The CBP PASSID is requested, for example, in the ESTA form in connection with the Global Entry immigration program.

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