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It is so sweet to pass security at the airport as fast as possible and go on with your plans. And some airports/countries offer its travelers some options to choose from. Here is the list of most popular and trusted programs for travelers to speed up their processing on arrivals.
Global Entry – USA
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.
At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.
Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment. Along with fingerprints scanning.
While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States.
Application fee: $100
Nexus – USA/Canada
U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens and Canadian lawful permanent residents are eligible for NEXUS membership.
Membership in the NEXUS program allows you to reduce your wait times at designated ports of entry by:
- using dedicated processing lanes at land border crossings,
- using NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada,
- using Global Entry kioks when entering the United States, and
- calling a marine telephone reporting center to report your arrival into the United States and Canada
Application fee: $50
Sentri – USA/Canada/Mexico
SENTRI provides expedited CBP processing for pre-approved, low-risk travelers. Applicants must voluntarily undergo a thorough biographical background check against criminal, law-enforcement, customs, immigration, and terrorist indices; a 10-fingerprint law enforcement check; and a personal interview with a CBP Officer.
Required Fees
Application Fee: $25.00 per person (or a maximum of $50.00 total for husband, wife and minor children)
Fingerprint Fee: $14.50 (applicants 14 years and older)
System Costs Fee: $82.75 per person (or a maximum of $160.00 total for a husband, wife and minor children)
Total Fee: $122.25 per person
TSA Pre✓®
Global entry members are eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓®. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents enrolled in NEXUS or SENTRI are also eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓® , as well as Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS.
How It Works
If you are a Global Entry member or eligible NEXUS or SENTRI member, enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the “Known Traveler Number” field when booking reservations, or enter it into your frequent flyer profile with the airline. The membership number enables Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate CBP Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in TSA Pre✓®.
Where You Can Find Your Membership Number
You can find your Trusted Traveler member number by logging into your Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) account. Your membership number is listed toward the bottom of the page. Your membership number is also located on the back of your Trusted Traveler card in the upper-left corner.
CLEAR – USA
2-ways to get:
- Sign up online or at any enrollment center.
- Register in person
CLEAR members who are eligible for PreCheck now get the best of both worlds. You can use the CLEARlane as usual to avoid the long security lines. They’ll scan your boarding pass and bring you to the PreCheck screening lane (if eligible for that flight) where you can keep your shoes and belt on, etc.
Annual fee: $179, add a family member (over 18) for only $50.
Programa Viajero Confiable – Mexico
The program is targeted to Mexican citizens and U.S. citizen Global Entry members:
- Mexican citizens
- U.S. citizens who are members of Global Entry
Application fee: $88
SmartGate – Australia
Arrivals SmartGate is an automated border processing technology which allows eligible travellers to self-process through passport control when they arrive in Australia. It provides a secure and efficient way to clear through passport control.
Arrivals SmartGate uses electronic information in ePassports and face recognition technology to perform the customs and immigration checks usually performed by a Border Force officer.
Registered Traveller Program – UK
Apply for the Registered Traveller service to get through UK border control faster. You can apply if you’re 18 or over and you’re a national of Australia, Canada, Japan, New Zealand or the USA.
It costs £70 to apply to use the service for 1 year. If your application is unsuccessful you’ll get £50 back.
If you’re already a member and you get a new passport, you’ll need to pay £20 to update your passport details. Updating your visa information is free.
Privium/Flux – Netherlands
Privium is an exclusive program for frequent travelers who wish to travel comfortably via Amsterdam Airport Schiphol.
Privium Basic
To make use of Privium’s basic advantages: fast border passage using iris recognition and front row acces at the security checkpoint, you can enroll for Privium Basic.
Privium Plus
In addition to fast border passage, the Privium Plus program offers the following privileges:
– Parking nearby/Valet parking
– Check-in at the Business Class desk
– Club Lounge
– Meet & Fly
– Update Partner Card
– Discounts & Special Offers
– Airport Assistant service
US citizens have to be a member or apply for Global Entry (or Nexus) first before they can apply for Privium|FLUX via their GOES user account.
Application fee: 135 Euros or $150
H/T: Miles for Trips
Image Credits:Ryan McFarland used under CC BY 2.0 license / Resized from original.