Global Entry Expansion Federal Notice Published

Global Entry Expansion Federal Notice Published
(12/29/2010)The Department of Homeland Security and U.S. Customs and Border Protection today published two Federal Register Notices announcing the expansion of Global Entry benefits. One notice extends Global Entry enrollment to eligible Mexican nationals and the other notice extends Global Entry benefits to SENTRI and NEXUS members.

Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano announced the signing of the agreement with the government of Mexico to expand Global Entry to Mexican nationals on November 30. Global Entry is a CBP trusted traveler program that allows pre-approved members an alternative to regular passport processing lines and currently reduces average wait times by 70 percent while maintaining and enhancing security.

In order to become members of Global Entry, eligible Mexican nationals will need to complete an on-line application by visiting the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES), pay the non-refundable $100 application fee, pass a background investigation conducted by both CBP and the Mexican government and an in-person interview with a CBP officer at an enrollment center. (

GOES )

Mexican nationals must satisfy ALL requirements of the Global Entry pilot program to become members. CBP will be accepting application from eligible Mexican nationals beginning today.

Also as of December 29, SENTRI members will be able to apply for Global Entry benefits at no additional fee. SENTRI members will need to check their status on the GOES website and indicate their wish to use Global Entry. SENTRI members who are Mexican nationals will need to pass a thorough risk assessment conducted by the Mexican government before receiving full Global Entry benefits.

All NEXUS members will also be able to enjoy the benefits of Global Entry at no additional cost through using the automated kiosks for entry at participating airports. NEXUS members will need to check their status in their GOES account as they may need to submit their 10-fingerprints or any other necessary documentation in order to receive Global Entry benefits.

The Global Entry pilot program was launched in 2008 and is currently available at 20 major airports in the U.S for approved U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents and citizens of the Netherlands, over 14 years of age who are in possession of a valid machine-readable passport and who consent to a background screening. To date, Global Entry members have used the kiosks more than 600,000 times.

Global Entry applicants may complete their interview and biometric data collection at enrollment centers at any of the 20 sites, while approved members can use kiosks at any of the sites to complete their CBP processing upon arrival from international travel.

At the kiosk, Global Entry members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen, and then present a transaction receipt to CBP officers before leaving the inspection area.

CBP has signed arrangements with the governments of the U.K. and Germany to reciprocate Global Entry benefits with citizens from their countries.