US Global Entry now open to all Australians

Australian travellers can look forward to a much faster and hassle-free experience at US airports under the expanded Global Entry program.

Global Entry is a ‘trusted traveller’ program which unlocks access for pre-approved flyers to dedicated customs and security lanes at international and domestic American airports.

After a successful trial earlier this year involving 1,000 selected Australian citizens, Global Entry is now available to all eligible Australians.

And in addition to the Global Entry fast-track for Australians entering the US from overseas, the program also includes TSA PreCheck access for domestic flights within the USA.

So the more often you intend visiting the USA, the more useful Global Entry will be.

In addition to the US$120 (AU$180) Global Entry application fee payable to the US Government, there’s a separate fee payable to the Australian Government for the necessary background security check of AU$263.50 (or AU$123.50 for applicants under 9 years of age).

How to apply for Australia’s US Global Entry access

Start by submitting a Global Entry application on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and pay the non-refundable US$120 application fee.

After completing your application with TTP, you’ll receive an invitation from the Australian Department of Home Affairs to complete an application for the necessary Australian background check and pay the appropriate non-refundable application fee.

If conditionally approved, you’ll then need to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrolment Center or use the Enrolment on Arrival facility at major US airports (this will obviously be the most practical method for most Australians).

During that interview, a US Customs and Border Protection officer will ask you questions and collect your biometric information (fingerprints, if applicable, and photo) – after the interview, if approved, your Global Entry benefits will begin immediately.

These Global Entry kiosks are the key to fast-tracking your arrival into the US.

Applicants for US Global Entry obviously must meet the Global Entry program’s strict eligibility requirements, which can block approval for any of the following reasons:

• having been convicted of any criminal offence or having any pending criminal charges or warrants against them (this includes ‘driving under the influence’)
• having violated customs, immigration or agriculture regulations in any country
• being the subject of an ongoing investigation by any local, state or federal law enforcement agency
• being unable to satisfy US Customs & Border Protection 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 at US international and domestic airports for five years.

Arriving at US international airports, you can skip those long time-consuming queues and head straight to a passport-scanning kiosk.

Being approved for Global Entry is also your ticket to the domestic TSA PreCheck service, which often includes dedicated lanes for PreCheck passengers where you generally won’t need to remove your shoes for screening, or pull your laptop out from your bag.

Eligible Australians will also have access to TSA PreCheck at domestic US airports.

Don’t overlook Mobile Passport Control

An alternative to Global Entry is Mobile Passport Control.

Open to ESTA visa waiver holders – which includes Australians – 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/Fort Worth (DFW), which are key entry ports for Australians.

Screenshots of the Mobile Passport Control app.

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.

Although most of your details are entered into the Mobile Passport Control app when setting up your profile, the trip-specific aspects can be completed only on arrival in the United States – it can’t be submitted ahead of time. Thankfully, it’s a quick and easy process.

1. 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)
2. Create your profile, adding your passport information, date of birth and a selfie
3. Complete and submit your MPC declaration, answering all required questions
4. 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 Wi-Fi to submit your application.