Australia to join US Global Entry, PreCheck programs

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.

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

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.

United States Global Entry airport kiosks.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection

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.

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.

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.

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 WiFi to submit your application.

Additional reporting by Chris Ashton