U.S. Expands Global Entry Program for International Travelers

U.S. Customs and Border Protection has expanded its international registered traveler program from seven U.S. airports to 20, the U.S. Travel Association reported this week.

Known as Global Entry, the program allows for the expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers into the United States—including returning U.S. citizens—and works by using fingerprint biometric technology to verify registered members and confirm their status. Once admitted into the Global Entry program, travelers can use automated kiosks located in the CBP inspection area to move through the customs inspection process quickly—the average time for Global Entry processing is 40 seconds—without having to participate in a face-to-face interview.

"Today's expansion of Global Entry will enhance our security and further streamline the entry system for frequent travelers to our country," U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow said in a statement. "We encourage the U.S. government to enable more foreign countries to participate in this program."

Originally introduced at New York's JFK International Airport, Houston's Bush Intercontinental Airport and Washington Dulles International Airport, the Global Entry program expanded last fall to Los Angeles International Airport, Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta, Chicago O'Hare and Miami. The newest additions, announced this week, are:

• Newark Liberty International Airport
• San Francisco International Airport
• Orlando International Airport
• Detroit Metropolitan Wayne County Airport
• Dallas Fort Worth International Airport
• Honolulu International Airport
• Boston - Logan International Airport
• Las Vegas - McCarran International Airport
• Sanford - Orlando International Airport
• Seattle - Tacoma International Airport
• Philadelphia International Airport
• San Juan - Luis Munos Marin International Airport
• Ft. Lauderdale Hollywood International Airport

Global entry launched in June 2008. As of last month, approximately 20,000 individuals had applied for the program and 14,500 enrolled in it. Although most participants are U.S. citizens, the United States in May announced a reciprocal agreement with the Netherlands that will allow Dutch citizens to participate, as well.