02/06/2012 – Washington

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano today announced the

publication of a Final rule that would establish Global Entry—a U.S. Customs and Border

Protection (CBP) voluntary initiative, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-

risk travelers to streamline the international arrivals and admission process at airports for

trusted travelers through biometric identification—as a permanent program.

Global Entry is currently available at 20 U.S. international airports.

“Global Entry expedites the customs and security process for trusted air travelers through

biometric verification, while helping DHS ensure the safety of all airline passengers,” said

Secretary Napolitano. “Making Global Entry permanent will improve customer service at

airportsacross the country and enable law enforcement to focus on higher-risk travelers.”

Global Entry—currently available at 20 U.S. international airports—allows pre-approved

members a streamlined, automated alternative to regular passport processing lines. The

program currently reduces average wait times by more than 70 percent, with more than 75

percent of travelers using Global Entry processed in under five minutes.

The final rule, published today, sets forth federal regulations that replaces the current pilot

with a permanent Global Entry program. The final rule provides CBP with the ability to more

readily expand the program to additional U.S. international airports. In addition, age eligibility

criteria have changed to allow more families to enjoy the benefits of the program. Persons

under the age of 18 who meet the general eligibility criteria and have the consent of a parent

or legal guardian will now be eligible to participate in Global Entry.

Those members currently participating in the pilot will not experience a break in membership

or need to re-apply when the program becomes permanent. Members currently participating

in the pilot will have their time credited to the five year membership as proposed in the rule.

At Global Entry kiosks, members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into

a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer

Global Entry customs declaration questions on the kiosk’s touch-screen, and then present a

transaction receipt to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers before leaving the

inspection area.

To date, there have been approximately 1.8 million admissions with Global Entry by more

than 260,000 members and more than 1 million trusted travelers receive Global Entry

benefits. The program is available to U.S. citizens and U.S lawful permanent residents, as well

as Mexican nationals. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal

arrangement that links Global Entry with the Dutch Privium program in Amsterdam.

Canadian citizens and residents may participate in Global Entry through membership in the

NEXUS program.