The United States has rolled out its Global Entry programme for Indian citizens, with which pre-approved, low-risk travelers from the country will be able to get accelerated clearance, PTI reported on Tuesday. India is now the 11th country whose citizens are eligible to enroll in the Customs and Border Protection initiative.
“CBP is excited to offer our flagship Trusted Traveller 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.”
The facility is currently available at a select few airports only. Travellers have to be pre-approved for the Global Entry programme, and applicants have to undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrolment.
Instead of queuing up to clear immigration at airports by meeting an immigration officer, the CBP initiative allows people to enter the US through automatic kiosks.
Enrolled travellers can proceed to the Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or US permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for verification and complete a customs declaration. They are then issued a transaction receipt by the kiosk and directed towards baggage claim and the exit.
Indian Ambassador to the US Navtej Sarna on Monday became the first Indian national to enroll in the programme.
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