Global Entry is a fairly new program offered by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection, but it is already making life easier for a select group of travelers. The program offers pre-approved travelers the convenience of avoiding long lines when entering the United States. Global Entry is open to U.S. citizens, South Koreans, and Dutch citizens among others.
The program works by requiring each candidate to submit to a lengthy screening process to ensure he is a low risk to U.S. border security. Applicants are interviewed by agents and fingerprinted.
Once a traveler has been approved, his life becomes much easier. When arriving in a participating U.S. airport, the international traveler skips the line and heads to a special automated kiosk where a short process is completed. After that, the traveler is free to collect his baggage and exit the building.
The program is not only open to passengers who frequent business class travel. It is available to anyone who meets the citizenship criterion, passes the screening process, and forks over the $1oo application fee.
There are some drawbacks to Global Entry, though. First, it does not guarantee travelers will avoid extra screening at airports. It’s less likely, but not impossible. Second, though it’s available at most major international airports, there are some exceptions.
This has been a very popular program and a large number of tourists were attracted towards it. But after the devastation of world by the corona pandemic, the travelling industry is the most affected. It has not fully recovered yet as the countries are starting to open up around the world. It will surely take some time but we hope that we will recover soon. It is expected that as soon as the industry fully opens a boom will be seen across the world as people who have stayed under long lockdowns need some thrill back in their lives. And what better way than travelling.
