US Global Entry Program for Australian citizens

[TtiGeR]

I sent an email to our immigration minister last month regarding the availability of the US Global Entry Program for Australian citizens.

I received a response today from the Traveller Policy area.

...
The Australian Government is actively considering the United States of America's (US) Global Entry Program (GEP) and is evaluating the costs and benefits of this traveller approach.

I note that the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agency provides Australians with access to their Automated Passport Control processes without first becoming a GEP member. This service is available on the second and subsequent visits once the Australian citizen has first enrolled by providing biometrics at the US border. The ease of this process is subject to the demand for processing which varies from airport to airport in the US, and the number of automated processing units installed, which is determined by the CBP.
...

It appears that they did not realise the benefit of GEP is more than just Automated Passport Control - TSA PreCheck is another key benefit.

If you value the benefits of the Global Entry Program, please email them to voice your opinion since they are "actively considering" the program at the moment.

Before you ask, one thing I want to clarify is that the Australian government is required to perform the initial verification (Cost) for Australian applicants of the GEP program.

 

[slinky123]

I find this very interesting, and thankyou for posting, I will certainly email them. Far as performing the verification, Australia Post already perform many Govt Verifications, and they may well be interested in this. They are always looking for ways to increase the ID services they provide.

 

[TtiGeR]

I find this very interesting, and thankyou for posting, I will certainly email them. Far as performing the verification, Australia Post already perform many Govt Verifications, and they may well be interested in this. They are always looking for ways to increase the ID services they provide.

Thanks. I really hope they hear our voice. Many countries are already participating including UK.

 

[Princess Fiona]

Reviving a bit of an old thread but I have my interview for Global Entry in a couple of weeks. Will update here.
I have dual citizenship Australian and British so was able to apply with my British Passport and the process was pretty straightforward so far.
Get clearance from the UK and then use the number provided to apply for Global.

 

[DC3]

I had always wondered why Australians citizens were excluded from the USA Global Entry Program, where TSA pre-check would be the main benefit to me.

I had missed the earlier posts but just saw the post by PF. This has prompted me to send an email to the link provided by the OP in post # 1.

 

[Cynicor]

Reviving a bit of an old thread but I have my interview for Global Entry in a couple of weeks. Will update here.
I have dual citizenship Australian and British so was able to apply with my British Passport and the process was pretty straightforward so far.
Get clearance from the UK and then use the number provided to apply for Global.

Thanks PF, didn't realise that was possible. Will do for the next visit!

 

[kyanar]

I asked the NZ government whether they were considering it, and got informed that they "could not justify the costs required to implement US government requirements". Whether the Australian government is more likely to make the investment, I couldn't say. But I wouldn't hold up too much hope - it doesn't sound cheap whatever it is.

 

[DC3]

I sent an email to the link provided by the OP in post # 1, enquiring about possible Australian participation in the USA Global Entry Program.

I have since received a response, this week, which says, in part:

"The Department of Home Affairs (the Department) is considering how to participate in the GEP and is in early discussions with the USA Department of Homeland Security. As a part of our considerations whether to join the US GEP, we will be weighing up the benefits to the traveller against other implications, such as resourcing and cost".

 

[Princess Fiona]

I just had my interview at LAX with CBP and have been approved I ‘‘twas all very painless.
The officer told me that I can use either my UK or AU Passport for Global Entry as they are both registered in the program. This is good for me as I still have a valid ESTA on my AU that I use.

 

[Sabbasolo]

I wrote to MP's and ministers, canned responses. Every time I go to the USA I fume over the one sided arrangement.

 

[cove]

I tried to get this and was broomed out of the room. We are only there 3 times in 2018 so it doesn’t really matter. More of an issue for folks who go there every month.

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Thanks PF... I have been visiting the US more frequently lately and wondered how the odd list of eligible countries was chosen:

• Citizens of Argentina
• Citizens of India
• Citizens of Colombia
• Citizens of United Kingdom
• Citizens of Germany
• Citizens of Panama
• Citizens of Singapore
• Citizens of South Korea
• Citizens of Switzerland
• Citizens of Taiwan
• Mexican nationals

Unfortunately I am not a citizen of any of these countries so the TSA pre-check and global entry are just a fantasy *sigh*

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Reviving a bit of an old thread but I have my interview for Global Entry in a couple of weeks. Will update here.
I have dual citizenship Australian and British so was able to apply with my British Passport and the process was pretty straightforward so far.
Get clearance from the UK and then use the number provided to apply for Global.

Just don't run for politics

 

[RooFlyer]

The officer told me that I can use either my UK or AU Passport for Global Entry as they are both registered in the program.

Is Australia part of the program?

 

[UpInTheAir:)]

Is Australia part of the program?

Nope..

 

[RooFlyer]

Then can you or someone explain what the officer told Princess Fiona?

 

[Princess Fiona]

Is Australia part of the program?

No it isn’t but the agent said that my Global Entry is linked to both of my passports. I can enter the USA with either and they are eligible for Global Entry kiosks. As part of the application and interview process you need to enter details of all passports that you hold and also bring them to the interview. They were both ran through some type of machine.

 

[RooFlyer]

Interesting, thanks!

 

[Wilson Wei]

I sent a few emails to different ministers and the MP in my electorate, they all gave vague responses like “they are weighing up benefits and costs..” I mean, if countries such as Singapore, Taiwan and Switzerland with far less population (well Taiwan is about on par) than Australia (and supposedly less people travelling to the US), can justify the costs and benefits, there is really no reason that Australia should be held back. Also I emailed CBP from US side, the response I got is:

“Thank you for contacting U.S. Customs and Border Protection's (CBP) Information Center.

The determination is not solely made by the U.S. Government, but rather by the Australian authorities as well. Please check globalentry.gov for updates on new international arrangements.

From what I understand, the US is actually quite open and generous about adding more countries to the program. It’s the Australia side that’s blocking us from having it.I really think we should start an online petition on this: Give Australian people Global Entry !

 

[DC3]

Anyway, following up on an enquiry made earlier this year, I sent another recently.

This week I received another response. Extract, below. So fingers crossed.