On June 8th, officials from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) office in New York and the New York/Newark Port will conduct interviews for individuals seeking verification for the “Global Entry” program at the Woodbridge Town Community Center in New Jersey. This marks the first event of its kind in the New York/New Jersey area, as typically applicants are required to register at a CBP enrollment center located at port of entry.
The “Global Entry” program by Customs allows pre-approved low-risk international travelers to use automated kiosks for expedited clearance upon entry into the United States, making the immigration process faster. The Global Entry status is valid for five years, and members can also enjoy free TSA PreCheck®, which expedites security screenings by allowing passengers to use designated lanes, avoiding the need to remove shoes or perform other necessary actions when boarding international and domestic flights.
Global Entry is part of the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Program, applicable at all major airports and land and sea entry points for pre-clearance locations. All applicants must undergo rigorous background checks and interviews before initial registration.
According to CBP, there is a high demand for Global Entry cards and interviews. This collaboration between CBP and Woodbridge Town aims to bring the Global Entry registration center to the local community, with hopes of initiating more such events in the future to alleviate the pressure on enrollment centers and bring benefits to the local community.
US citizens, lawful permanent residents, and citizens of 22 partnering countries are eligible to apply for Global Entry. To check your eligibility and see if there are additional application requirements for your country, visit the CBP International Arrangements page.
To become a Global Entry member, individuals need to apply online through the Department of Homeland Security’s website and pay a $100 fee. The government will review your application, conduct a background check, and the current processing time is estimated to be 4 to 6 months before proceeding to the CBP interview. You can schedule an interview appointment or complete the interview upon arrival at specific airports offering Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) services.
Once approved, you will receive a Global Entry card similar to an ID card via mail, which can also serve as identification at any airport in the United States. For more information on the application process, visit the Global Entry frequently asked questions page.
You can use your Global Entry card at 77 airports worldwide to bypass long lines at customs. Upon arrival in the US, follow the instructions to locate the Global Entry self-service kiosks or use the Global Entry mobile app at designated airports. Download the app on your Apple or Android phone prior to entering the federal inspection services area.
The Global Entry App is available for download on Google Play Store or Apple App Store and currently applicable at 53 international entry ports in the US and all pre-clearance locations. Members can complete the entry process before disembarking, report their arrival status and submit photos through the app, allowing them to proceed directly to CBP Customs officials without waiting in line at the self-service kiosks, saving more clearance time.
Global Entry utilizes facial recognition technology for passenger screening. CBP deletes photos of US citizens after 12 hours. Photos of lawful permanent residents and non-US citizens are deleted within 14 days. If you prefer not to provide your photo information at the airport, you must go through the regular customs line for clearance.
While the Global Entry program aims to expedite traveler clearance, members may still be subject to further inspection upon entry into the US. Any violation of program terms will result in corresponding enforcement actions and termination of membership.