New Fast Lane for Frequent Globetrotters
November 30th, 2009
If you are a frequent international traveler and don’t like to wait in line at customs and immigration at ATL or elsewhere, checkout the new Global Entry program from Homeland Security.
It streamlines the process by allowing members to bypass regular passport processing lines. Users will instead enter at a Global Entry Kiosk, insert their passport, provide biometric digital fingerprints, answer a few customs declaration questions, and then present a transaction receipt to a customs officer before leaving the inspection area. Sounds easy enough!
Global Entry kiosks are available for international arrivals at ATL and other major gateway airports in the U.S. There are currently about 27,000 members of Global Entry. Homeland security says that nearly all members get through customs and immigration in five minutes or less. The non-refundable fee to apply is $100. More info here: www.globalentry.gov
Here’s a helpful 1 minute video on how the whole thing works.
Don’t Forget! BOOK ALL YOUR ONLINE TRAVEL VIA LINKS FROM THE TICKET!
Global Entry is ridiculous. Contrast the screens and screens of information required by it, the $100 fee to apply, the months of waiting to the UK’s IRIS program.
Application for IRIS takes 10-15 minutes, is done at the airport, has no charge for application or granting, and is granted instantly.