Australia to join US Global Entry, PreCheck programs
Travellers will soon be able to skip those snaking immigration and security queues at international and domestic US airports.
After years of promises, Australian travellers will finally have access to the US Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs beginning in 2025, speeding up customs and security clearances at international and domestic American airports.
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are ‘trusted traveller’ programs for pre-approved or vetted flyers; Global Entry applies to entering the US from overseas, while TSA PreCheck is an equivalent for domestic flights within the USA.
First in line to skip the lines will be 1,000 Australians who will take part in a trial of the system from early 2025.
They’ll need to have travelled to the US at least five times in the previous 12 months, with applications to be part of the Australian Global Entry trial opening in January 2025 through the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong says this will be followed by broader enrolment for Australians by the end of the year, once the necessary legislation is passed through the Australian parliament.
“I understand this was flagged many, many years ago, but didn’t come to fruition,” Wong said. But she heralded the move as “good for Australian businesses, and it's good for our friendship.”
“This program and our participation in it is a sign of our closeness and our trust,” added Wong, who made the announcement in Washington DC during a state visit.
And “trust” is what Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are all about.
How Australians can apply for US Global Entry
Australian citizens will be subject to a criminal history check from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, with the Department of Home Affairs making a “preliminary assessment” on approval – although final decision rests with US authorities.
Applicants for Global Entry can be turned down for a number of reasons, including having any criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, and violations of customs laws in any country.
Here’s a list from the US Customs and Border Protection service (CBP) of reasons why an application can be denied:
- List incomplete or incorrect details on their application
- Have any pending criminal charges or warrants against them, or have been convicted of any criminal offence, including ‘driving under the influence’
- Have an adverse travel history in any country, such as by violating agriculture, immigration or customs regulations
- Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any local, state or federal law enforcement agency
- Attempted to purchase a firearm and were denied
- Are ineligible to enter the United States under normal, legislated circumstances
- Are not able to satisfy CBP that they would be a low-risk traveller
If you’ve kept your nose clean and get the green light for Global Entry, you can look forward to the fast lane treatment for five years.
However, in addition to a US-levied Global Entry application fee of $US100 ($155), Australia will also charge applicants a yet-to-be-determined fee to cover the cost of running the necessary background checks (although this fee will be waived for the 1,000 people involved in the trial stage).
US Global Entry program is already open to citizens of over a dozen other countries including the UK, Germany and Singapore.
After being approved for Global Entry through an in-person interview, a wave of your passport and scan of your fingerprints is typically all it takes to zip through passport control and be on your way.
Don’t overlook Mobile Passport Control
In the meantime, Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is the next best thing to Global Entry – and Australians are on the approved list.
Open to United States citizens, residents and returning ESTA visa waiver holders, Mobile Passport Control is a free app allowing travellers to pre-fill essential documents and then complete a digital customs declaration on arrival into the US.
MPC can be used at 30 US airports, including Los Angeles (LAX), San Francisco (SFO), Honolulu (HNL) and Dallas/Ft Worth (DFW), which are key entry ports for Australians.
Once your application is submitted, the app provides you with a receipt to give to border agents, who simply need to verify submitted details before welcoming you into the US.
How to use Mobile Passport Control
Mobile Passport Control can only be completed on arrival in the United States – it can’t be submitted ahead of time. Thankfully, it’s a quick and easy process.
- Download the free app from Apple Store or Google Play (it’s recommended to do this before travelling, as accessing a foreign app store can be difficult)
- Create your profile, adding your passport information, date of birth and a selfie
- Complete and submit your MPC declaration, answering all required questions
- Make your way to the Mobile Passport Control immigration lanes and present your submission receipt to the border protection agent
Note that you’ll need to activate mobile data or connect to the airport WiFi to submit your application.
Additional reporting by Chris Ashton
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2013
Total posts 144
MPC is the best thing that has happened to Australian Passport Holders in many years for US entry! My LAX entry last time was less than 2 mins, they use a dedicated lane, which is the same one for crew access and APEC card holders. The officer did not even check the phone, so unsure if the "submission" after landing is necessary. My parents went through few weeks back, and they got through the same channel in less than a minute. Obviously, this is only an issue if you enter via LAX.
DFW has always been ultra quick. However, most of us enter the US via LAX, so this is a great addition.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
24 Jan 2018
Total posts 734
DFW is #1 IMHO.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
13 Aug 2022
Total posts 2
Agreed. After standing in a lengthy line at JFK for some time (coming in from EZE), my wife and I downloaded the app, entered our info, (even took our selfies right there in the queue), got our approval and then jumped into the MPC line. No wait, straight through. Simples.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Oct 2015
Total posts 61
I used it last week - 29 minutes from plane to walking out with bags land side. That's a record for me for LAX.
The domestic lines are now the longer wait.
12 Jun 2024
Total posts 1
Sounds great, can you use the MPC App if it is your first time to the US and or a new ETSA? We are heading to the US for the first time next week (LAX) and would love to use this if possible
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2013
Total posts 144
Rule says "Returning ESTA holders". however, i would just give it a try, becaue the officer in the MPC lane, does not even check your phone!
Greatest advantage of Global Entry is the included TSA pre check, great if you are doing some domestic travel!
01 Nov 2017
Total posts 19
Does a Returning ESTA holders include someone who has been to the US previously a few times but on their older passport?
QF
04 Apr 2014
Total posts 209
MPC looks to be no good for Australians living in the US on a Visa.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
25 Feb 2017
Total posts 5
Not a fan myself, as mentioned above it uses the same lane as APEC card holders. As an APEC card holder this line is now much longer and I find it is now slower through LAX with all the extra people using the app. Would be nice if they had a seperate lane just for MPC and the APEC line went back to a surprise if there was someone waiting in front of you! ;)
26 Mar 2020
Total posts 69
If using mobile passport control do you still get grilled at the check point by CBP - last time on my ETSA had to provide bank statement, payslips and proof of employment in Australia (my visit was for 7 days and was my first visit to USA in 10 years)
QFF
16 May 2016
Total posts 66
LAX is a piece of cake these days.
Air New Zealand - Airpoints
05 Nov 2014
Total posts 65
I have Global Entry via my UK passport.
Arrival takes less than a minute, and there are never any queues.
And TSA PreCheck is included, which eliminates queues at domestic security in the US and allows me to keep my belt and shoes on and liquids and laptop inside my hand luggage.
06 Oct 2021
Total posts 10
MPC works well - seems to be valid for 2hrs so submitted our family one recently using the aircraft wifi half an hour before landing in SEA and avoided horrendous normal queues. Hopefully not too many people get to know about or use it!
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