[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45170-45172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16435]
=======================================================================
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
U.S. Customs and Border Protection
[CBP Dec. No. 16-09]
Expansion of Global Entry Eligibility to All Citizens of the
United Kingdom
AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland
Security.
ACTION: General notice.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has established the
Global Entry international trusted traveler program at most major U.S.
airports. Global Entry allows pre-approved participants dedicated CBP
processing into the United States using Global Entry kiosks located at
designated airports. In 2013, CBP announced a limited pilot program
through which certain British citizens were eligible to apply for
participation in the Global Entry program. This
[[Page 45171]]
document announces that CBP is concluding the pilot and expanding
eligibility in the Global Entry program to include all British citizens
with a valid United Kingdom passport documenting their British
citizenship. Additionally, this document announces that certain U.S.
citizens may apply for membership in Registered Traveller, the United
Kingdom's registered traveler program.
DATES: Global Entry eligibility will be expanded to British citizens on
July 12, 2016. Applications will be accepted beginning July 12, 2016.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garret A. Conover, Office of Field
Operations, (202) 325-4062, [email protected].
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:
Background
Global Entry Program
Global Entry is a voluntary program that allows for dedicated CBP
processing of pre-approved travelers arriving in the United States at
Global Entry kiosks located at designated airports. In a final rule
published in the Federal Register (77 FR 5681) on February 6, 2012, CBP
promulgated the regulation (8 CFR 235.12) to establish Global Entry as
an ongoing voluntary regulatory program. Section 235.12 contains a
description of the program, the eligibility criteria, the application
and enrollment process, and redress procedures. Travelers who wish to
participate in Global Entry must apply via the Global On-Line
Enrollment System (GOES) Web site, https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov, and
pay the applicable fee. Applications for Global Entry must be completed
and submitted electronically. The list of airports with Global Entry
kiosks is available at http://www.globalentry.gov.
Eligibility for participation in Global Entry is limited to U.S.
citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and certain
nonimmigrant aliens from countries that have entered into arrangements
with CBP regarding international trusted traveler programs.
Specifically, certain nonimmigrant aliens from countries that have
entered into arrangements with CBP concerning international trusted
traveler programs may be eligible to apply for participation in Global
Entry after CBP announces the arrangement by publication of a notice in
the Federal Register. The notice will include the country, the scope of
eligibility of nonimmigrant aliens from that country (e.g., whether
only citizens of the foreign country or citizens and non-citizens are
eligible) and other conditions that may apply based on the terms of the
arrangement. See 8 CFR 235.12(b)(1)(ii). In the preamble of the Global
Entry final rule, CBP recognized the existence of previous arrangements
it had with Mexico and the Netherlands regarding the international
trusted traveler programs and announced that Mexican nationals and
certain citizens of the Netherlands were eligible to apply for the
Global Entry program. CBP further specified that Mexican nationals and
citizens of the Netherlands who were existing participants in the
Global Entry pilot would be automatically enrolled in the ongoing
Global Entry program. CBP also stated that pursuant to a previous
Federal Register notice,\1\ participants in NEXUS and certain
participants in SENTRI would still be allowed to use the Global Entry
kiosks.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ See the Utilization of Global Entry Kiosks by NEXUS and
SENTRI Participants Federal Register notice, December 29, 2010 (75
FR 82202) for further information.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
In a notice published in the Federal Register (78 FR 48706) on
August 9, 2013, CBP expanded Global Entry eligibility to include
citizens of the Republic of Korea who are participants in the Smart
Entry System (SES), a trusted traveler program for pre-approved, low-
risk travelers at designated airports in the Republic of Korea and a
limited number of citizens of the State of Qatar. In the notice, CBP
also announced a Global Entry pilot for a limited number of German
citizens who participated in ABG Plus, Germany's former trusted
traveler program.
In a notice published in the Federal Register (81 FR 7822) on
February 16, 2016, CBP announced the conclusion of the limited pilot
for German citizens and the expansion of Global Entry eligibility to
include all German citizens. Additionally, this notice announced that
certain U.S. citizens may apply for membership in EasyPASS, Germany's
registered traveler program.
In a notice published in the Federal Register (80 FR 1509) on
January 12, 2015, CBP expanded Global Entry eligibility to include
citizens of the Republic of Panama. Additionally, the notice announced
that U.S. citizens who participate in Global Entry or U.S. citizens who
can utilize Global Entry kiosks as NEXUS or SENTRI participants have
the option to apply for membership in Panama Global Pass, the Republic
of Panama's trusted traveler program.
Limited Global Entry Pilot for Certain Citizens of the United Kingdom
In the August 9, 2013 notice referenced in the previous section,
CBP also announced a limited Global Entry pilot program allowing a
limited number of British citizens who frequently travel to the United
States to apply for participation in Global Entry. During this limited
pilot, certain British citizens who were identified as potential
participants in the pilot program, received a promotional code from a
British airline carrier, the U.S. Embassy, or CBP to use during the
application process. These applicants were required to obtain a police
certificate to be presented to a CBP officer at the time of the Global
Entry interview to demonstrate that they had no criminal history. The
United States and the United Kingdom limited the number of British
citizens who could apply for Global Entry to allow for the development
of the program's infrastructure. The notice stated that CBP expected to
be able to expand eligibility to include all British citizens in the
near future and that such an expansion would be announced by notice in
the Federal Register and on http://www.globalentry.gov.
Expansion of Global Entry Program To Include All Citizens of the United
Kingdom
This document announces that pursuant to the Joint Declaration
signed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP, and the United
Kingdom Home Office, United Kingdom Border Agency of Great Britain and
Northern Ireland (United Kingdom Border Agency) on June 24, 2008, CBP
is expanding Global Entry eligibility to include all British citizens
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below. As a
result, CBP is concluding the limited pilot program. All pilot
participants will continue their Global Entry membership for the
initial five-year membership period. If pilot participants want to
renew their membership when their initial Global Entry membership
expires, the renewal will be subject to the terms and conditions set
forth below.
Any British citizen with a valid United Kingdom passport
documenting his or her British citizenship may apply for Global Entry.
The terms ``citizens of the United Kingdom'' as used in the Joint
Statement and ``British citizen'' as used in this notice refer to
citizens of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
[[Page 45172]]
Before a British citizen can apply for Global Entry, he or she must
first register to apply through the United Kingdom Home Office Web
site, www.gov.uk. The United Kingdom charges a non-refundable [pound]42
processing fee for registering to apply for Global Entry. This
processing fee is collected by the United Kingdom to process the
applicant's background check. After the applicant is thoroughly vetted
for Global Entry by the United Kingdom Border Agency, the applicant
will receive a UK Access Code from the United Kingdom to use to apply
for Global Entry.\2\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\2\ Unlike in the pilot, a British citizen does not have to
obtain a police certificate to present to the CBP officer at the
time of the Global Entry interview.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
To apply for Global Entry, the applicant will be required to
complete the online application located on the GOES Web site, pay the
non-refundable Global Entry fee, and satisfy all the requirements of
Global Entry. During the application process, the applicant will also
be required to enter the UK Access Code on the GOES Web site. If an
applicant is not vetted by the United Kingdom and does not have a UK
Access Code prior to applying to Global Entry, the Global Entry
application will not be accepted. The applicant will be permitted to
participate in Global Entry only upon successful completion of a risk
assessment by CBP and completion of an interview with a CBP officer.\3\
CBP will notify the applicant whether or not he or she has been
accepted in the Global Entry program.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ The vetting criteria to be used by both the United Kingdom
Border Agency and CBP were mutually agreed upon by both agencies and
are consistent with each agency's applicable domestic laws and
policies.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Applicants may be denied enrollment in the Global Entry program for
various reasons. The eligibility criteria are set forth in detail in
the Global Entry final rule and 8 CFR 235.12. See also http://www.globalentry.gov.
U.S. Citizens' Participation in Registered Traveller
Certain U.S. citizens who are 18 years of age or older have the
option to enroll in Registered Traveller, a registered traveler program
in the United Kingdom that provides expedited entry into the country
via ePassport gates at border control. An ePassport is required for
Registered Traveller for use at these ePassport gates. A U.S. citizen
does not have to be a member of a CBP trusted traveler program to apply
for Registered Traveller. However, a U.S. citizen must meet specific
visa and/or travel qualifications to be eligible to apply for
Registered Traveller.
Eligible U.S. applicants may apply for Registered Traveller on the
United Kingdom Web site. U.S. applicants must register for Registered
Traveller directly with the British Government and undergo a background
check. There is a fee associated with Registered Traveller. The
applicant will be notified by the United Kingdom about whether he or
she is approved for Registered Traveller. More information about
Registered Traveller, including the eligibility criteria and how to
apply, is available at www.gov.uk.
Dated: July 6, 2016.
Todd C. Owen,
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 2016-16435 Filed 7-11-16; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 9111-14-P