Speedy US clearance for low-risk Indian travellers

Washington, July 4: The US has started rolling out for India its Global Entry programme which allows for expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travellers.

Indian ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna on Monday became the first Indian national to enroll in the programme.

With this India has becomes only the 11th country whose citizens are eligible to enroll in the Customs and Border Protection (CBP) initiative.

On landing at select airports, the programme members enter the United States through automatic kiosks, instead of queuing up to clear the immigration by meeting an immigration officer.

At these airports, the members proceed to the Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or US permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk then issues the traveller a transaction receipt and directs him or her to the baggage claim and the exit.

Travellers must be preapproved for the Global Entry programme. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrolment, the CBP website says. “CBP is excited to offer our flagship Trusted Traveller

MEMBERS of the Global Entry programme enter through automatic kiosks, instead of queuing up to clear the immigration by meeting an immigration officer.

programme to Indian citizens,” said Kevin McAleenan, acting commissioner of US Customs and Border Protection.

“By expanding Global Entry eligibility, CBP is transforming the international arrivals process, making it more secure, efficient and welcoming, for the millions of Indian citizens who visit the United States each year,” he said.

Global Entry is currently available at 53 US airports and 15 pre-clearance locations. — PTI