United States Customs and Border Protection announced that the Global Entry pilot program has reached the 100,000-member milestone, according to a story on imperialvalleynews.com
The voluntary pilot program is supposed to streamline the international-arrivals process for pre-approved travelers through use of self-service kiosks in 20 U.S. airports. So far, the kiosks have reduced average wait times by 70 percent, and Global Entry members have used the kiosks more than 600,000 times, according to the article.
"Global Entry is an excellent example of our efforts to securely facilitate international travel by expediting trusted travelers," said CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin. "We set a milestone to reach 100,000 members before the end of the year, and I'm very proud that we have reached that goal and increased the program's membership by approximately 300 percent over the last year."
Global Entry is available to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents who pass intensive background checks. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal arrangement that links Global Entry with the Privium program in Amsterdam.
Applications to Global Entry must be submitted online at globalentry.gov and cost $100 for a five-year membership. Applicants then complete interviews and give fingerprints in person at any of the 20 airport sites.
Once enrolled in the program, members proceed to kiosks in the international arrivals area upon arrival in the U.S. At the kiosks, members insert their passports or lawful permanent resident cards into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk's touchscreen, and then present a transaction receipt to CBP officers before leaving the inspection area.
