India to join US Global Entry Program soon

India will soon join the United States' Global Entry Program, if the Memorandum of Understanding signed yesterday between the Government of India and Government of the United States for the Development of an International Expedited Traveler Initiative is anything to go by. This comes on the eve of the India Prime Minister Narendra Modi's visit to the US this week.


The Global Entry Program provides expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. It should not be confused with TSA PreCheck, which is to expedite TSA security check procedures.

According to the press release by the Indian Embassy in the USA, 
Today, on 3 June 2016, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Consular, Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security of the United States for the Development of an International Expedited Traveler Initiative (also known as the Global Entry Programme) was signed. The MoU was signed in Washington D.C. by the Ambassador of India to the United States and the Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security of the United States.
The Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection programme, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. India’s entry into the Global Entry Programme will offer Indian citizens opportunity to apply for membership in this Programme. After joint scrutiny and clearance by both countries, the approved Indian travelers will be extended the facility of expedited entry into the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.
The procedures for India’s entry into the Global Entry Programme are expected to be completed in the coming months.

The Indian Embassy believes that
Expedited entry for the Indian travellers under this Programme at the U.S. airports will enable further easing of travel environment, and will have positive impact on all kinds of people-to-people exchange between our two countries.


So if all goes to plan, Indian passport holders can apply to be considered for Global Entry. This is useful, because Global Entry does away with extended entry checks when entering and leaving the US (specific airports only).

A rigorous background check and in-person interview is necessary before being approved for Global Entry. Of course, none of this guarantees a clear entry to the US; further examination may be required for members even otherwise. That said, Global Entry helps avoid potentially long queues!

All pictures credit US CBP website.

Global Entry as a program also envisages setting up Global Entry kiosks at overseas outposts, such as Shannon in Ireland and Abu Dhabi in the UAE. This enables passengers to complete immigration procedures at these airports at the time of departure itself, effectively arriving in the US as though on a domestic flight. In turn, this can result in shorter connection times within the US, or simply, getting to your next destination quicker. This facility is not yet envisaged as part of the MOU, thought it could be a reality after Global Entry as such is available for Indian passport holders.

As always, implementation is key, and we'll look out for more on that. However, the fact that India has been invited to join the US for the program itself a fantastic development. Stay tuned for more!

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