News

India added to countries participating in Global Entry kiosk program

October 22, 2013

When India's Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh met with President Obama at the White House on Sept. 27, a little known agreement was included in the official joint statement between the two leaders: A commitment by each country to advance the trusted traveler program known as Global Entry.

Global Entry membership allows approved travelers to avoid long lines at Customs and Immigration by using a quick-pass kiosk at airports. Entry program participants scan their machine-readable passport on the kiosk, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification and make a customs declaration. The kiosk will then issue the traveler a transaction receipt and direct the traveler to baggage claim and exit. Kiosks are located at major U.S. airports and now some international airports.

Travelers eligible for enrollment in Global Entry include citizens and residents of the U.S., citizens of Mexico who hold a U.S. visa, citizens of Netherlands who are enrolled in Privium, citizens of South Korea who are enrolled in Smart Entry Service, and members of Nexus and SENTRI, according to a news release from the U.S.-India Business Council.

"The Global Entry breakthrough announced by the Prime Minister and President Obama underscores the mutual trust between the countries and is a practical step that will facilitate the ease of doing business, sharing cultural values, and bringing the two countries ever-closer together," Ron Somers, president of the USIBC, said in the release.

Read more about kiosks in transportation and travel.