Global Entry and Easier Travel

Summer is a season marked with travel. Heightened security around the globe and long security lines at airports only add to the frustration and inconvenience of travel. While traveling continues to take its toll on most, the Global Entry program could help ease some of the inconveniences. What is Global Entry? Global Entry is one of the different "trusted traveler" programs offered by the United States government. For those who travel with Global Entry, reentering the U.S. after international travel is made easier and faster by visiting a kiosk where fingerprints are taken and a few questions answered instead of waiting in long lines to speak to an actual U.S. customs and border protection officer. Additionally, Global Entry holders are able to go through security check via the "TSA Pre-Check" line at airports. Significant time is saved through this benefit. While traveling in certain countries abroad, having Global Entry also means faster processing through immigration. Who is eligible for it? All United States citizens and permanent residents are eligible to sign up for Global Entry. Additionally, citizens of the U.K., Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Mexico, and Singapore are eligible. (Canadians have access to the same benefits through another trusted traveller program, NEXUS.) The list of countries change on a regular basis so it is always worth checking to see whether any new countries have been added (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/eligibility). How does one sign up? To apply for Global Entry, one must create an online account via https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov/main/goes, complete a lengthy online questionnaire, and pay the application fee, which is currently $100. (Some organizations and credit card companies will reimburse people for Global Entry application fees. If one travels even just a few times, this fee could be worth it given that some airlines charge $10-25 to obtain TSA pre-check status for each leg of a trip.) Usually after 5-7 days, one will receive notification concerning the status of one's application. If the application is conditionally approved, then the individual must schedule an appointment to appear at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. These are all over the country. Wait time for an available interview at any given location varies. One does not need to have an appointment at the Global Entry Enrollment Center closest to one's home; one can have the appointment any of the locations. The interview usually lasts about 5 minutes. If all goes well, the actual Global Entry card will arrive in the mail in about 1 week. Global Entry privileges are valid for at least 5 years. In the winter of 2016, Clark Lau LLC joined the Kendall Square Association and the Cambridge Innovation Center to host an offsite event serving as a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Please watch out for this again in the Fall of 2016. The above information has been provided for educational purposes only. Please check with the Global Entry website (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry) for complete details and also feel free to contact Clark Lau LLC (www.clarklau.com) for more information.