US Global Entry Program for Australian citizens [from 2025]

[chitown_boy]

Just reporting my experience with my conditional approval last month and how global entry (and tsa pre-check) panned out. No queue on arrival to enrolment on arrival - a slight hiccup as the CBP agent questioned me twice on whether I’ve had any US customs infringements in the past. And I repeated said no as I was adamant I didn’t have any. She then said are you sure? i said no again and she said ok you have, for pork. And then it dawned on me that I ‘transited’ SFO back in 2016 and after going through secondary passport control they scanned by bags and found some pork jerky I had bought in singapore and confiscated it. I didn’t realise it was even recorded! Anyways, she said she would let this one go on this ocassion because it was so long ago but gave me a spiel about needing to declare things even with global entry. Was approved within the hour. But when flying out of JFK to MAD my KTN wasn’t registering as TSA PRE on my boarding pass. Re-entered JFK a few days later after a trip to Gran Canaria - used the app and breezed through CBP using global entry without needing to take out my passport. Subsequent flights TSA PRE worked, I suspect I needed to use Global Entry first before TSA PRE is activated?

 

[Katie]

It takes a few days for the system to register Pre Check after GE approval.
I flew a domestic flight the day after (~12 hrs after) approval and it wasn’t yet registered. Flew again 6 days later and TSA Pre was through.

 

[ithongy]

TSA Touchless is available to use. This can speed up the TSA security process by taking a selfie on your cell phone using the Airline app. So when you go to TSA line there is no need to stand in line to take a picture prior to security screening. You will need to add passport and known traveller numbers on app profile.

I haven't used it myself yet, but have downloaded AA app and can enter in PNR number and get live updates and digital bp (despite I do love to keep the paper bp) this makes it so much easier and it will also keep track of gates and boarding times. Do ensure you opt into TSA Touchless for your next flight via airline app. You can also credit your flights to your choice of FF programs, in my case all my AA flights were credited to QF FF program. Also with AA signing in with app you can get access to free ATT wifi onboard.

Airlines Partaking in TSA Touchless:
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Delta
Southwest
United

 

[blackcat20]

Our interview on arrival at HNL took forever, so long in fact that we missed our connecting flight...

 

[ithongy]

Our interview on arrival at HNL took forever, so long in fact that we missed our connecting flight...

Mine back in 2018 in LA office (not at airport) was less than 10mins, maybe even 5mins.

 

[MG1]

Our interview on arrival at HNL took forever, so long in fact that we missed our connecting flight...

Wow! That's horrible! Any form of compensation?

That's the opposite to my experience in HNL. I got through customs unusually quickly. I then was directed to the "waiting area". After waiting for maybe 10-15 minutes, they called me over to a booth, asked me a couple of questions and that was it.

I wish that the same had happened for you.

 

[blackcat20]

Wow! That's horrible! Any form of compensation?

That's the opposite to my experience in HNL. I got through customs unusually quickly. I then was directed to the "waiting area". After waiting for maybe 10-15 minutes, they called me over to a booth, asked me a couple of questions and that was it.

I wish that the same had happened for you.

Immigration was painfully slow anyway so it all just added up. QF rebooked us on the next AA flight fortunately. It didn't help that baggage transfer sent us to the wrong terminal too (after refusing our bags).

 

[aggie57]

They just want to do the fingerprints and check that photos etc. match. The interview is really just the final tick, all the verification has been done by then.

 

[ithongy]

Immigration was painfully slow anyway so it all just added up. QF rebooked us on the next AA flight fortunately. It didn't help that baggage transfer sent us to the wrong terminal too (after refusing our bags).

now that assuming you have GE, this won't be the case anymore. I cleared DFW coming in from MEX on Tuesday within 5 mins of deplaning. Only had carry on luggage and was out of immigration in no time. No Kiosk was there, stood in line at counter, snapped a picture and told to move on.

 

[MG1]

Immigration was painfully slow anyway so it all just added up. QF rebooked us on the next AA flight fortunately. It didn't help that baggage transfer sent us to the wrong terminal too (after refusing our bags).

It sounds like quite an ordeal. Let's hope that the rest of your trip is better.

 

[BrianQQ]

TSA Touchless is available to use. This can speed up the TSA security process by taking a selfie on your cell phone using the Airline app. So when you go to TSA line there is no need to stand in line to take a picture prior to security screening. You will need to add passport and known traveller numbers on app profile.

I haven't used it myself yet, but have downloaded AA app and can enter in PNR number and get live updates and digital bp (despite I do love to keep the paper bp) this makes it so much easier and it will also keep track of gates and boarding times. Do ensure you opt into TSA Touchless for your next flight via airline app. You can also credit your flights to your choice of FF programs, in my case all my AA flights were credited to QF FF program. Also with AA signing in with app you can get access to free ATT wifi onboard.

Airlines Partaking in TSA Touchless:
Alaska Airlines
American Airlines
Delta
Southwest
United

Sorry for the bump but I've genuinely never had Touchless work on my end. Does the Aadvantage/Atmos Reward number have to be associated to the ticket?

 

[ithongy]

Sorry for the bump but I've genuinely never had Touchless work on my end. Does the Aadvantage/Atmos Reward number have to be associated to the ticket?

To access TSA Touchless you will be required to download the Airlines app ie AA, AS, DL etc... For example I book AA ticket and have my QF FF no added to PNR. On AA app enter in PNR and you can access TSA touchless subject to US airport participation.

 

[cove]

It is our turn to get Global Entry this month. We are flying to Singapore as that was our closest place to get it handled. The rest of our family did theirs in Sydney.

 

[kallinch]

It is our turn to get Global Entry this month. We are flying to Singapore as that was our closest place to get it handled. The rest of our family did theirs in Sydney.

I did mine in SIN recently (approved!) For those interested:

-auto email sent day before as reminder (the new app is handy to change timeslot / check new ones / be notified of new time slot open). Appointments appear to only be on Mondays.
-for embassy entrance let guard know you’re here for global entry appointment and give passport. They’ll then let you through first door
-try not to bring anything (just passport and ID) Arrive 15min before appointment time. All electronic (phone or AirPods) held at first entry point. Metal detector to pass through.
-second entry point they take your eg driver licence for visitor pass badge and check your appointment off printed page
-be prepared to wait for 30min. there are toilets available. The guard will notify you where you are in queue of global entry people waiting.
-when your time you’ll be brought into embassy into office room. Camera facing you and fingerprint machine
-passport asked for first (only document you need for interview)

-be prepared for strange questions with interview, that kind of sound like trying to trip you up…

Examples was asked;

“So you work in Singapore?”
“You came to Singapore just for this?”
“What is your work?”
“Who do you know in US, how do you know them?”
“When are you going US / last time US?”
“You’re going for work right?”
“How long are you in Singapore?”
“Where do you live?”

-picture of you taken with webcam
-finger prints all fingers collected
-you won’t be informed of outcome by interview but you will get an email almost instantly that once you login to portal confirms approval.
-if dual citizen you can use either of your passport but the one you got global entry to is “preferred”

-on exit you’ll return your badge to get driver licence back. Then back to first entry point where you go through spinning metal gate and get your phone / AirPods back from window by passing back numbered token