Indians Can Enroll in Global Entry from July 2017

On July 3, 2017, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that citizens of India can now enroll in the Global Entry Program. In a largely unreported story that should have gained substantial news media coverage, India is among only eleven countries in the world whose citizens can take advantage of the benefits of the Global Entry Program. Global Entry is a CBP Trusted Traveler Program that allows pre-approved and low risk travelers expedited clearance and entry into the United States.

Background on Global Entry

Besides U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and U.S. permanent residents, citizens of only eleven countries can participate in the Global Entry Program. The eleven countries are: Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. Canadian citizens enrolled in NEXUS may use Global Entry kiosks when entering the U.S. at a location that has facilities for expedited entry of passengers. The inclusion of India in this short list is indeed good news for the millions of Indian citizens traveling to the U.S. each year, so that they feel both welcome and safe when entering the U.S.

Process to Enroll in Global Entry

The process to enroll in Global Entry is as follows. An applicant must use the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) to complete an online application form. The non-refundable application fee is $100 for the five-year Global Entry membership. An Indian national applicant must then submit additional information via an online portal, pay a fee of ₹500, and schedule an in-person interview at a Passport Seva Kendra / Passport Seva Laghu Kendra (PSK/PSLK) office. After passing a background check, the applicant will be instructed to schedule an in-person interview with a CBP officer at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. There are more than 100 Global Entry Enrollment Centers in the U.S., Canada, and Qatar. The final determination to issue the coveted card is made after the CBP officer is satisfied that the applicant is indeed a low-risk traveler to the U.S. Navtej Sarna, the Indian Ambassador to the U.S. was the first Indian citizen to enroll in Global Entry, on July 3, 2017. [Detailed procedures for Indians, which include an interview and fingerprints, can be found on the CBP website.]

The CBP can select travelers for additional screening upon entry into the U.S. and, in certain circumstances, the CBP can revoke global entry privileges if there are violations of the Global Entry program’s terms and conditions.

Abu Dhabi and Other Airports are Pre-Clearance Ports

Global Entry is currently available at 53 U.S. airports and 15 pre-clearance locations across the globe. Those with Global Entry privileges may take advantage of kiosks at pre-clearance locations for expedited immigration inspection processing into the U.S.

The benefit to travelers using the pre-clearance process is that all entry and inspection requirements for entering the U.S. has been completed before boarding the U.S.-bound flight. The result is that, upon arrival in the U.S, one enters like a traveler on a local flight, with no additional immigration inspection.

Conclusion

The benefits of global entry are many. In addition to expedited entry into the U.S., those with global entry can take advantage of the TSA Pre-Check process for expedited screening when flying within the U.S.

Additional information was added to this MurthyDotCom NewsBrief on 10.Jul.2017.

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