‼️REFERENCE‼️ How to apply for US Global Entry

If you travel to the US on a regular basis whether it be for business or leisure than you will no doubt have experienced the security lines at border customs. If you're lucky you can get through customs relatively quickly however on average you can be waiting anywhere from 20 minutes up to an hour, sometimes even longer. So with that in mind have you considered US Global Entry? It's a fantastic scheme set up by the US Government,  US Customs and Border Protection to recognise trusted travellers into the US they can either be based in the US or the criteria also fits certain international countries and even though the application "can be quite lengthy, and there is an interview involved, the advantages outweigh the inconvenience of application. 

The link to apply for US Global Entry is here - https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/

Global Entry lasts 5 years and comes with the additions TSA Pre meaning when you leave the US for your flights home, or indeed take an internal US flight you can quickly pass through security screening without having to take off your shoes, belt, remove liquids or laptops etc, it's a great convenience. Allowing you to use expedited lanes. 

Who can apply for US Global Entry?

I've mentioned that if you are US citizens you are eligible to apply however citizens from a number of international countries are also welcome to apply including the United Kingdom, Argentina, Brazil, India, Columbia, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, and Mexican nationals.

Certain countries will have additional application requirements. For this example I'm just going to use the United Kingdom but please do check your country if it's listed above.

How to apply for US Global Entry if you are from the United Kingdom

If you are from the United Kingdom and you wish to apply for US global entry then you will need to have a background check completed by the UK Government prior to commencing your application.

The fee is £42 and it can take up to 10 days for background checks to be completed, in other words that your background check to be completed. I was extremely fortunate my background check was completed within one day, I made the application on the Sunday morning by 10 pm on the Sunday evening my UK background check was approved and I was good to go to apply for the US global entry program. The UK Government will provide you with a unique reference number, so when you complete your US global entry application it will prompt you for this reference number, so do keep it safe, otherwise you will not be able to apply. 

What details you need for the UK Government background check

The UK background check will ask you your name, previous names if applicable, passport details - so have your passport safe and ready. 

How to apply for the US Global Entry

When it comes to applying for US Global Entry it will cost you $100, which is non refundable, so please bear that in mind if, sadly, you fail the application. Also bear in mind that if you have any infractions / criminal records it is unlikely you will be eligible, so please consider this, as your $100 will not be refunded. 

Information to need handy when applying for US Global Entry

Get this information ready BEFORE you make your application 

• Your passport. 
  
• Addresses you have lived for the last five years; 
  
• Your employment history for the last five years. 
  
• In addition your travel history for the last five years. 
  

If you have the above information to hand then it should be straightforward to answer the questions and it will save you time. The whole application took, for me personally 23 minutes. Just have the above information to hand, it will honestly save you time. 

Also ensure you complete the information accurately, amendments can not be made after you have submitted your application, plus it may jeopardise your application. Remember any false information will also breach the law and CBP undertake a rigorous background check. 

You will have the opportunity to check your application before submitting, so use that time to thoroughly check your application. As mentioned you will not be able to amend once submitted. Once happy you may then submit. 

After submitting you then wait for approval from the US CBP, which can take anywhere from a week to months - so be patient. 

Keep checking of the website regularly for any updates and the status of your application. 

You are conditionally approved for US Global Entry - you are almost there.

If you are conditionally approved then you are almost there - whoohoo. 

The final stage is for your interview with a CBP official. You are invited to apply for an appointment before a CPB Officer.  Access the website and take a look at the nearest CBP office nearest to you, bearing in mind that you may also use an airport location. Also remember that an appointment date and time may be limited, they may be fully booked up so check on a regular basis to see if there are any cancellations. Also be prepared to travel to a location that you would not normally go to. 

Enrolment On Arrival interview 

What I have done is used something called enrolment on entry. When your flight arrives at your US airport look for a approval on entry kiosk, speak to the customs officer who will then conduct your interview as well as the usual US entry requirements questions. 

Also ensure you have the passport you are using for your application and a proof of address such as your drivers license. Failure to bring this additional ID will mean that your entry upon arrival interview will not proceed.

Remember the person conducting the enrolment on entry interview is an CBP Officer, treat them with courtesy and respect. The Officer will then complete your application, scan your fingerprints and take your photograph for reference. Reminder that the photograph you have taken will be used on your US Global Entry card going forward. 

So to summarise, Enrolment on Arrival is the quickest option for many people and you will receive your US global entry card within the mail, hopefully within 14 days. However you will be given your known traveller number and you can use to submit your number on your ticket for TSA PreCheck approval, so you literally can start benefiting from the US global entry straight away. 

What is TSA PreCheck?

A reminder that TSA pre-check approval is a real great benefit when you are travelling from most US airports, it allows a smoother screening process – no need to remove shoes, belts, 3-1-1 liquids, laptops, or light jackets. It will save you so much time at the airport. It is also included in the price of US Global Entry. 

And finally, a reminder that whilst US Global Entry's goal is to expedite travellers through the US entry process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States.

I hope this editorial assists you with your application. Remember that the US global entry programme means that you are a trusted traveller, so bear that in mind, do not mistreat this privilege, enjoy the benefits and convenience, and if you have any questions please let me know sammualjamesmcloughlin@gmail.com