The Global Entry Program allows biometrically registered and pre-authorized travelers of certain nationalities to carry out passport control themselves at selected U.S. airports. This eliminates long waiting times and speeds up entry into the United States. In the following we have compiled the most important information on Global Entry. It's best to test right now online and free of charge with our Global Entry Check if you can take advantage of fast entry too. In addition, we inform you about recent changes in the Global Entry application process.
As of March 2023, Croatia is now officially among the handful of countries whose nationals qualify for the Global Entry Program.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that Croatia has joined the growing list of 15 Global Entry partner countries. It was only this year that citizens:in from Croatia were allowed to enter the U.S. visa-free with an ESTA form.
Already last year Bahrain, Brazil and the Netherlands were included as participating countries.
Global Entry applicants who have been conditionally approved now have 730 days (= two years) from the date of conditional approval to complete their enrollment. Originally, the full application for Global Entry membership had to be completed within 365 days from conditional approval. Due to the pandemic, this one-year period was extended in stages (first 485 days, then 545 days).
The United States have four programs, the so-called Trusted Traveler Programs, which can accelerate the entry into the U.S. for the respective participants:
The U.S. Global Entry program is administered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and is currently only available to low-risk travelers.
Membership in this program allows U.S. travelers to undergo simplified and expedited identity checks at border crossings at certain U.S. airports.
The Global Entry Program has grown considerably in recent years and is becoming increasingly popular. According to CBP statistics, membership has more than doubled in three years. While there were 2.4 million members in 2015, CBP already has 5.1 million Global Entry users by the beginning of April 2018.
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Participants in the Global Entry Program benefit from a number of advantages:
Those who want to use the popular US entry program must meet certain Global Entry requirements.
Basically the following applies:
There is no prescribed minimum number of entries into the United States.
Only nationals of the following countries may participate in the Global Entry Program:
|
Region |
Countries |
|
North America |
United States |
|
Central and South America |
Argentina |
|
Europe |
Germany |
|
Asia |
Bahrain |
Depending on their country of origin, individuals must pass certain security checks.
The following reasons preclude admission to the Global Entry Program:
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Anyone who wants to benefit from fast entry to the U.S. must first apply for membership of the Global Entry Program.
In order to participate in Global Entry, applicants must go through several application steps. Depending on the country of origin, some of the processing steps may differ.
The application process was changed in October 2020 to ensure better cross-agency as well as cross-country matching and to address the problems with PreCheck. The Global Entry application process is as follows:
Once this last step is completed, a final confirmation of participation will be sent to the applicant by e-mail.
Fingerprint scan. Photo by Rachel Torres
Due to the government shutdown in early 2019, there is still a huge backlog in the processing of Global Entry applications and renewals. At the same time, U.S. Customs and Border Protection now receives up to 7,000 Global Entry applications daily due to the popularity of the U.S. entry program. U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials are increasingly falling behind in processing, with the result that by the end of 2019, for example, 350,000 "open" Global Entry new applications and renewals were booked.
CBP states that Global Entry applications currently take up to ten months or more in total. Since this is an average figure, your Global Entry application may take shorter or longer in individual cases.
In addition to CBP's longer processing times, there are generally a limited number of appointments available at Enrollment Centers due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
CBP recommends that conditionally approved Global Entry members should always complete the Global Entry Interview via Enrollment on Arrival.
Yes, children can also register for the Global Entry Program. They can participate even if their parents are not members of the Global Entry Program. Like adults, they must complete the enrollment process and submit their fingerprints.
However, minors under the age of 18 must have the consent of their parents or legal guardian. A parent or legal guardian must be present at the registration interview.
Do you have questions about applying for Global Entry membership or need help with the application process? We are happy to help you!
Please contact us at any time for an individual offer.
Upon arrival at one of the participating U.S. airports, program participants go to one of the Global Entry kiosks and scan their machine-readable passport or Permanent Resident Card (Green Card).
They must then place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification.
You can fill out the customs declaration directly at the machine. Based on this declaration, a receipt with further instructions is issued. Either the passenger has to go to a US border guard or can proceed directly to the baggage claim.
Global Entry Kiosk. Photo by James Tourtellotte
The Global Entry Program is currently valid for five years.
Membership can be renewed one year before the Global Entry expires.
To do so, participants must log into their account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and update their personal data if necessary. The application can then be renewed and the fees paid.
As soon as the membership status changes, the participant will receive an e-mail.
If you have renewed your Global Entry membership prior to the expiry date and it has not yet been approved, CBP now grants 6 months after the membership expires during which you can continue to enjoy the benefits of the Global Entry Program. This means that verified members can continue to use the accelerated entry into the United States for half a year after membership expires, even if the renewal request is pending.
The Global Entry Card is a membership card. However, only American and Mexican citizens and Green Card holders (Legal Permanent Residents) receive such a Global Entry Card. The Global Entry Card is required to enter the United States overland, i.e. from Canada or Mexico.
All other Global Entry Participants will not receive a Global Entry Card or a visible identification or note in their passports.
The nine-digit Global Entry Membership Number is called Global Entry PASSID or Known Traveler Number. The Global Entry Number is located in the upper left-hand corner on the back of the Global Entry Card, for example, for US citizens or Green Card holders. Those who do not have a physical Global Entry Card can find their membership number in the login area of the Trusted Traveler Program website.
There is a second nine-digit number at the top right. This is the number of the Global ID Card.
The Global Entry procedure serves exclusively to speed up the entry procedure and does not replace an entry and residence permit.
Therefore, participants of the Global Entry Program still need a valid U.S. visa to enter the United States (unless they can travel visa-free). A Global Entry application with the most common U.S. visas is possible (e.g. B-1 Business Visa or E-Work Visa). Those who enter visa-free under the Visa Waiver Program require a valid ESTA approval.
| Visas 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 |
| SK-1, SK-2, SK-4 |
| T-1, T-2, T-3, T-4, T-5 |
| U-1, U-2, U-3, U-4, U-5 |
We are happy to assist you with the Global Entry application.
Please contact us for an individual offer.
We support you during the entire application process and are available by phone and e-mail. We offer the following Global Entry services:
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.
The most important information about this visa category can also be found here, briefly summarized and free to download in PDF format.
