The Australian Broadcasting Corporation reported on August 6 that Australians will soon be able to pass through United States airports more easily because Australia will join the United States' Global Entry program early next year.
The program allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers from selected countries to use automated kiosks, expediting their processing times when entering the United States.
Participants can also enjoy faster security screening for domestic flights in the United States.
United States citizens can already use self-service "SmartGates" to enter Australian airports, but plans to open global entry to Australians have been shelved since it was first proposed in 2018.
Penny Wong (Credit: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Speaking in Washington, Australia's Foreign Minister Penny Wong declared: "Joining the Global Entry Program is good for Australian businesses and good for our friendship, and this program and our participation are a sign of our closeness and trust." ”
*Implementation Process*
Australia's accession to the Global Entry Scheme will be carried out in two phases, with 1,000 frequent travellers available to apply from January 2025.
They need to have visited the United States at least five times in the past 12 months. However, this requirement will be removed when the second phase begins and Australians can apply without restrictions.
The second phase of the expansion will require legislation through the Australian Parliament, which is expected to begin later in 2025.
Australians who have been eligible for global entry will skip the queue when they arrive at United States airport, but will go directly to the automated kiosks.
They also have access to the United States Transportation Security Administration's PreCheck program, which provides faster security checks for domestic flights in the United States.
*Who can apply? *
The program will be open to Australian citizens who meet the requirements of both Australia and United States.
(Image source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Applicants are subject to a nationally coordinated criminal history check by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission.
Members of the Australian Defence Force who are on active duty or retired will be subject to a military conviction check.
The Australian Department of Home Affairs will conduct an initial assessment of the applicant, but the final decision is made by the United States authorities. Applicants may be rejected for any criminal conviction or pending criminal charges, violation of customs laws of any country, or providing false information on the application form.
The United States charges a non-refundable fee of US$100 (A$154) for each Global Entry application. If approved, eligibility is valid for five years. Australia will also charge applicants a fee for processing background checks. However, these fees have not yet been determined, and the 1,000 eligible in Phase One will be waived.
*What is the reason for the delay? *
The Global Entry Program is already open to citizens in more than a dozen countries, including United Kingdom, Germany, Singapore, Bahrain and Brazil.
(Image source: Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Australia and the United States agreed to begin agreement on the plan in 2018, but it was delayed due to the pandemic.
Asked for details of the postponement, Wong said she had "asked the same question."
"I know this was proposed many years ago, but it didn't materialize," she said.
"It was a matter of the previous administration, so you have to ask them, but I'm glad we finally made it happen."
Penny Wong is in the United States to attend the annual AUSMIN meeting between the foreign and defense ministers of Australia and the United States of United States.