Faster entry with Global Entry

CBP Global Entry Program participants can enter the U.S. more easily and quickly because they can perform identity checks at the airport and avoid long waiting lines. To find out more about the benefits of the program and how you can become a member, click here!

The Global Entry Program is managed by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It is one of four Trusted Traveler Programs designed to facilitate entry into the United States for low-risk individuals.

This allows members of the Global Entry Program to enter the USA more quickly and easily, as they can carry out the usual identity checks at the airport independently at a self-service terminal. The voluntary program enables them to enter the USA within a few minutes.

The simplified check is now available at most major US airports and is therefore a great relief, especially for people who frequently visit the USA.

A faster entry into the USA is actually only possible with the US GreenCard.

Once you are a member of the Global Entry Program, you can enjoy a whole range of benefits:

• Separate check at the airport in the USA
• No more long lines at the border official's counter 
• Independent identity check at the terminal
• Significantly faster entry compared to non-global entry members
• Authorization to TSA PreCheck® for additional facilitation of security checks

The TSA PreCheck® still checks travelers at the airport of departure, but you enjoy more exceptions. For example, shoes, liquids, and laptops must no longer be tested separately. Participants can line up at a separate TSA line and shorten the time of the security check before departure to just a few minutes.

To be eligible for the CBP Global Entry Program, applicants must meet two requirements.

1. Applicants must be of one of the eligible nationalities. The following countries are eligible: 
   
   

   Region	Country
   Asia	India
   	Singapore
   	South Korea
   	Taiwan
   Europe	Germany
   	Great Britain
   	Switzerland
   Central and South America	Argentinia
   	Colombia
   	Mexico
   	Panama
   North America	Canada (Prerequisite is the participation in the NEXUS program)
   	USA
   	US Immigrants (= GreenCard holder)

2. The applicant must undergo and pass a security screening. How exactly this verification is conducted varies depending on the country of origin.

By "Best Match" recommendation, you will be matched to a suitable Trusted Traveler program - e.g. "Global Entry" - based on your nationality and travel habits on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website.

As part of your online application, you will need to make an appointment for an interview at one of the so-called "Enrollment Centers." Depending on the program, you may also submit your fingerprints there.

DHS advises applicants for Trusted Traveler programs of longer wait times. In the case of Global Entry, an application can take up to 6 months.

If you plan on entering the USA several times in the next five years, whether for private or professional reasons, then it is definitely worth participating in the Global Entry Program. This way, you will be able to skip the long lines and save a lot of time and nerves on your travels during security checks as well as identity checks.

If you want to fly to the USA just once or not at all in the next few years, it makes less sense to apply for a Global Entry membership.

Minors under the age of 18 may also participate in the Global Entry process. However, they require the consent of their parents or guardians. They must also be present when the child attends the interview at one of the Enrollment Centers. It does not matter whether the parents also participate in the program or not.

Children must complete the same registration process as adults and, for example, have their fingerprints stored. 

Global Entry Program participants go through a different entry process than non-participants at their destination airport in the USA. This process looks as follows:

1. Upon arrival at the airport, Global Entry members do not go to the border officials' counters as usual but can go directly to the so-called Global Entry Kiosks.
2. They now scan their passports independently at these machines.
3. The fingerprints are then checked by placing the fingertips on the appropriate scanner.
4. Finally, the customs declaration is filled out at the terminal as well.

Based on the information in the customs declaration, the kiosk prints out a receipt explaining to the traveler whether he still has to go to a customs check at a border official or is allowed to go directly to the baggage claim.

The Global Entry Kiosk is a self-service terminal that enables program participants to perform an independent identity check upon arrival at the airport.

This kiosk should not be confused with the passport control terminals available to all holders of electronic passports. Those cannot perform many functions, such as checking fingerprints.

At the Global Entry Kiosk, you perform the security check on your own when entering the USA.

Yes, despite Global Entry Membership, every USA traveler requires a valid visa or ESTA permit.

Background: Global Entry participation does not serve as an entry or residence permit. It only simplifies and accelerates the entry procedure at the airport.

Therefore, an ESTA permit or a US visa must always be applied for.

Do you need help applying for a US visa, or are you unsure which visa is right for you? The experts of the US Visa Service will be happy to advise you and support you in applying for a fair price-performance ratio!

Do you need help applying for a US visa or are you unsure which visa is right for you? The experts of the US Visa Service will be happy to advise you and support you in applying for a fair price-performance ratio!

Contact US Visa Service now

The validity of the Global Entry Membership is limited in time. Participants can use the simplified entry to the USA within the following five years.

For German participants, the additional rule applies that a new security check with the Federal Police is required after two years in order to continue participating. As a reminder, CBP sends an e-mail request to the respective members before the deadline to comply with the inspection.

At the end of the five-year period, the Global Entry membership can be renewed very easily. All the participant has to do is log into his account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and renew the application there. As soon as the fees have been paid, the participation is automatically extended.

Although it is not difficult to apply for Global Entry Membership, the following reasons may lead to the rejection of an application:

• Incorrect or incomplete information was provided in the application
• Nationality is not eligible for the program
• Previous or current criminal offenses, arrest warrants, or allegations of crimes

In principle, the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) must be convinced that the applicant does not pose a risk to the USA and therefore does not require any personal checks upon entry but can participate in the simpler Global Entry Process.