US Global Entry is now open to Australians

Australian travellers are now eligible to apply for the US Global Entry program, with US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) opening the fast-track service to Australian citizens, unlocking access to fast-track customs and security lanes at international and domestic American airports.

Australians can enrol for both Global Entry, which the USA’s international ‘trusted traveller’ program for pre-approved flyers entering the US from overseas, amd the TSA PreCheck equivalent for domestic flights within the USA.

As previously reported by Executive Traveller, CBP confirms “Australia is processing Global Entry applications in a phased approach”, with applications for Phase One  now open.

This first wave of applicants for the Global Entry Australia trial will be limited to 1,000 Australian citizens who have travelled to the US at least five times in the previous 12 months. 

A broader Phase Two will follow, at a date yet to be advised, and remove the need for any minimum number of US trips.

Although the CBP website suggests applicants “visit the Australian Department of Home Affairs webpage on the Global Entry program for more information”, at the time of writing the linked page is not active.

Appying for Australia’s Global Entry trial

Here is how the US Customs and Border Protection agency outlines the application process for joining the Global Entry Phase One trial.

• Submit a Global Entry application on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and pay the non-refundable application fee, if applicable (this fee is currenrly set at US$120
• After completing your application with TTP, you will receive an invitation from the Australian Department of Home Affairs to complete an application for, and consent to, an Australian background check for Global Entry
• Your Global Entry application status will be viewable in your TTP dashboard (pending, conditionally approved, or denied)
• If conditionally approved, follow instructions to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center or use the Enrollment on Arrival facility at major US airports (this will obviously be the most practical method for most Australians)
• During the interview a US Customs and Border Protection officer will ask you questions and collect your biometric information (fingerprints, if applicable, and photo)
• After your interview, CBP will send an email/notification to your TTP dashboard regarding your final eligibility determination. If approved, your Global Entry benefits will begin immediately.

Applicants for US Global Entry will also need to 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 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.

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

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

In the meantime, Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is the next best thing to Global Entry – and Australians are already 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/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.

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