WASHINGTON: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Office of Field Operations will conduct a Global Entry enrollment workshop Aug. 29 and 30 at a facility located in Fargo. During this enrollment event, CBP will conduct interviews for conditionally approved Global Entry applicants. Global Entry is a voluntary expedited clearance initiative for pre-approved low-risk international travelers, who are processed by biometric identification using a designated kiosk, rather than waiting in line for entry processing by a CBP officer when entering the U.S. at a participating airport. The kiosks facilitate entry by reducing wait and processing times. To become a conditionally approved Global Entry applicant, individuals must apply online, undergo a background investigation and complete an in-person interview with a CBP officer. If no disqualifying information is found, travelers receive the benefit of expedited processing. The $100 application fee allows for five years of membership and travelers can use nearly 300 kiosks located at 34 U.S. airports and 10 preclearance locations in Canada and Ireland.
“CBP’s goal for this enrollment event is to provide a convenient, easy-access, local venue for conditionally approved Global Entry applicants to complete the required interview with a CBP officer,” said Jason Schmelz, area port director at Pembina, N.D. During the enrollment event, the temporary Enrollment Center will open on Aug. 29 and close on Aug. 30 with daily Enrollment Center hours from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. Travelers interested in applying for Global Entry need to apply online using the Global Online Enrollment System, or GOES. With the enrollment event quickly approaching, any applicant wishing to take advantage of this opportunity, needs to start the application process immediately, said CBP officials in a news release.
“CBP strongly suggest that applications are submitted no later than Aug. 1 as the application vetting process typically takes six to eight weeks for conditional approval,” said the release. Global Entry also provides access to the TSA Pre✓™ initiative which offers expedited screening through domestic airport security checkpoints. Benefits of TSA Pre✓™ include being able to leave shoes, light outerwear and belts on, and not having to remove laptops from carrying cases. More information on CBP’s Global Entry Program can be found at Global Entry or by visiting the CBP homepage at www.cbp.gov. U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of the nation’s borders at and between official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.
