Uncommon · History

Global Entry

U.S. Customs and Border Protection service traveler program

Global Entry is a program of the U.S. Customs and Border Protection service that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports and via the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes by land and sea. As of 2024, Global Entry was available at 62 U.S. airports and 14 non-U.S. airports with U.S. preclearance, and more than 12.7 million people were enrolled in the program.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, the US Immigration and Naturalization Service operated INSPASS, a trusted traveler program designed to integrate with Canadian and European programs, at JFK and Newark Airports. INSPASS operated with a similar system, identifying travelers with their handprint. The program was discontinued in 2002 when the INS was merged with U.S. Customs to form U.S. Customs and Border Protection. The Global Entry program was initially deployed in 2008 at a small number of airports, including New York-JFK (Terminal 4), Washington-Dulles and Houston-Intercontinental. Following a good reception by travelers, the program was expanded to include Los Angeles International, Atlanta-Hartsfield, Chicago-O'Hare and Miami International Airport. In May 2009, Global Entry membership was expanded to include Netherlands citizens who are also members of the Dutch Privium trusted traveler program under the FLUX (Fast Low-risk Universal Crossing) alliance. Present members of Global Entry are now permitted to apply to join the Privium program at Amsterdam-Schiphol International Airport allowing entry into the Schengen area. Members of NEXUS and SENTRI are also entitled to use Global Entry.

Text: Wikipédia, CC BY-SA 4.0. · Image: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Public domain) ·