Australians travelling to the US will be processed faster following a new agreement between the two countries.
The irritating and time-consuming queues at US Customs will finally end for Australian travellers from 2025, following news we are joining the US’s Global Entry program.
Eligible Australians who sign up to the Global Entry program will benefit from streamlined and expediated immigration and customs clearance channels on arrival, which will take minutes, not hours.
Initially, the program will be available from January 2025 to a limited number of Australians who travel frequently to the US, with work under way to open the program to all eligible Australians who wish to apply later in 2025.
Also, they will automatically be eligible to participate in the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check program, allowing for expedited screening processes for US domestic flights.
The initiative was launched in July with a new information sharing arrangement that will allow the implementation of the Global Entry program.
“Joining the Global Entry program is a mark of the closeness and the strength of the relationship between our two countries,” Foreign Affairs Minister Penny Wong said.
“The foundation of the friendship between Australia and the US is the friendship between our people. This program will deepen these links and make it easier to foster greater commercial ties.”
A possible role for Australia in the program was flagged many, many years ago, she said, but didn’t come to fruition.
Home Affairs Minister Tony Burke was equally positive following the announcement.
“The Albanese government is delivering on Australia’s participation in the Global Entry program for the thousands of travellers who visit the US frequently,” Mr Burke said.
“[W]e’re working hard to ensure that, from January 2025, the first group of eligible Australians will experience expedited immigration and customs clearance channels when they arrive in the US.”
The program will start with a trial of about 1,000 Australians who will need to have travelled to the US at least five times in the previous 12 months. Applications will open in January.
According to David Flynn from industry website Executive Traveller, Australian citizens will be subject to a criminal history check from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission, with the Department of Home Affairs making a “preliminary assessment” on approval, although any final decision rests with US authorities.
Applicants for Global Entry can be turned down for a number of reasons, Mr Flynn says, including having any criminal convictions or pending criminal charges, and violations of customs laws in any country.
Here’s a list from the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) service of reasons why an application can be denied.
• List incomplete or incorrect details on their application.
• Have any pending criminal charges or warrants against them, or have been convicted of any criminal offence, including ‘driving under the influence’.
• Have an adverse travel history in any country, such as having violated agriculture, immigration or customs regulations.
• Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any local, state or federal law enforcement agency.
• Attempted to purchase a firearm and were denied.
• Are ineligible to enter the US under normal, legislated circumstances.
• Are not able to satisfy CBP that they would be a low-risk traveller.
“If you’ve kept your nose clean and get the green light for Global Entry, you can look forward to the fast lane treatment for five years,” Mr Flynn said.
However, all this speed at the US border will come as a cost.
“In addition to a US-levied Global Entry application fee of $US100 ($155), Australia will also charge applicants a yet-tobe-determined fee to cover the cost of running the necessary background checks,” Mr Flynn wrote.
