H
ave you recently won a new
international account? Chances are
you’ll be making several overseas
trips to manage your new business. One of
the best hacks for getting through customs is
Global Entry. Global Entry is a U.S. Customs
and Border Protection program that allows
expedited clearance for pre-approved,
low-risk travelers. In addition to fast entry
back into the U.S. at customs checkpoints,
participants are also approved for TSA
PreCheck, which enables you to bypass regular
domestic security lines as well. The two make
international and domestic travel easier, and
it’s definitely worth the cost if you have several
trips in your near future.
To get the ball rolling, register on the
Global Online Enrollment System and
complete your application. The fee is $100;
TSA PreCheck is $85 and doesn’t include
expedited customs.
Getting approved requires a rigorous
background check and in-person interview.
The popularity of the program has backed
up wait times, and the entire process can
take from three to six months. You must
complete an in-person interview with a U.S.
Customs and Border Protection officer at an
enrollment center.
ABOUT THE
INTERVIEW PROCESS
During the in-person, 20-minute interview,
your photo will be taken along with a set
of digital fingerprints. Then an agent will
verify your information and ask some basic
questions like:
» Are you a U.S. resident?
» Do you have a second passport or
claim citizenship in another country?
» Have you ever been arrested?
» Have you ever broken customs
or immigration laws?
» Have you ever transported something
where the contents were unknown to you?
DON’T FORGET TO BRING
» A copy of the conditional approval
notification received via email
» Passport
» Residency document like a driver’s
license, utility bill, rental contract
or mortgage statement
At the end of the interview, if you are
approved, you will be provided with your
new Trusted Traveler ID number. When
making your airline reservations, you’ll enter
this on all your new reservations and update
old ones. If your company works with a
Travel Management Company, your agent
can ensure that all your current and future
itineraries include your Trusted Traveler
number. You’ll find that your boarding passes
will now include a note for TSA Pre-Check,
when available, and for Global Entry.
The Global Entry program is open to
U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents
as well as citizens of Argentina, Australia,
Canada, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico,
New Zealand, Panama, South Korea,
Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and United
Kingdom. Global Entry members who are not
U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents
must maintain updated visa information with
Customs and Border Protection.
In addition to being available at most
major American airports, you may also
use Global Entry to enter foreign airports
like Dublin, Montreal and Abu Dhabi. In
Australia, Americans age 16+ can use the
country’s SmartGate automated border
system without an additional fee or
registration. New Zealand has dedicated
lanes for U.S. Global Entry members in
the Auckland, Christchurch and Wellington
airports. If you travel frequently to Mexico
or South Korea, Global Entry members can
apply for those country’s trusted traveler
programs for an additional fee.
At participating airports, program
members may skip the regular security line
and proceed directly to dedicated Global
Entry kiosks. At the kiosk, you’ll present your
valid passport or U.S. permanent resident
card, place your fingertips on the scanner for
verification and make a customs declaration.
The kiosk issues a transaction receipt and
directs you to baggage claim and the exit.
Perhaps the best perk of Global Entry is
that those lanes may be open at times when
Customs & Immigration is closed.
Congratulations, your time in airport
security lines just got shorter! Global Entry
is valid for five years, then you will follow the
same application process to reapply. Learn
more at GlobalEntry.gov.
Elevating the Art of Business Travel
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