AwardWallet receives compensation from advertising partners for links on the blog. The opinions expressed here are our own and have not been reviewed, provided, or approved by any bank advertiser. Here's our complete list of Advertisers.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection has announced that they have added capabilities for Global Entry enrollment upon arrival to 5 airports. The addition means that travelers will be able to complete the last step of enrollment in Global Entry, an in-person interview while being processed on their entry back into the US — no appointment necessary. The airports with these capabilities are:
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
- Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
How Enrollment on Arrival Works
The system will allow travelers who have been conditionally approved for Global Entry to complete the final step, which involves an in-person interview, and the recording of the Passengers’ biometrics. CBP officials will be able to conduct both the Global Entry interview and the primary processing of a passenger transiting the airport. Once completed, the passenger will be cleared for both entry in the US and will be a Global Entry member.
The new system will make it easier to complete enrollment to Global Entry, which is not just open to US Citizens but also to citizens of several other countries, who would normally have to attend an interview at the US embassy in their home country, or at one of the few Global Entry processing locations around the world.
According to Kevin McAleenan, the Acting Commissioner, “With Enrollment on Arrival, we are adapting and innovating our process to meet the program’s demands by providing flexibility and additional options for travelers who need to complete their Global Entry interview.”
Benefits of Global Entry
While Global Entry speeds up the immigration section of transiting through a US airport, it has another benefit. Passengers enrolled in the Global Entry program automatically receive TSA Pre✓®. TSA Pre✓® speeds up the process of clearing the security section of a US airport. With Global Entry, you should be able to breeze through Immigration and then use Pre✓® to breeze through security. TSA Pre✓® has significantly expanded in 2017 with the first round adding 11 new airlines to the program, and the second round of expansion adding a further 7 airlines. As of August 2018, the total stands at 54 airlines.
Cost for Global Entry
Applying for Global Entry incurs a fee of $100 that is not refundable; luckily, holders of various premium credit cards that can receive a statement credit to offset the Global Entry enrollment fee.
Our Take
This is a great move by CBP, and should ease the pressure on travelers wishing to enroll in the Global Entry Program, as they'll be able to integrate the enrollment process into a regularly scheduled trip with minimal disruption. Hopefully, the CBP will expand this program further to airport locations with congested enrollment centers.
Source: CBP
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
