UK "Global Entry" Programme

[neechofish]

Hi all

I have just been reading the following and note that it does not appear to have been discussed on here.

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/expansion-of-us-global-entry-service-to-british-citizens

does anyone have any information? From what i can gather the cost would be £42 and then $100 for 5 years. I believe there would be no need for an ESTA.

I am seriously thinking about going down this route as my ESTA has run out and i plan at least 4 trips to the US in the next few years.

 

[wilma-bride]

Firstly, you need to bear in mind that only select airports participate in the Global Entry scheme. Orlando International is one of them so if your planned trips are through MCO then it is worth looking into. It is still a fairly hefty amount ot pay, but I think it might be worth it if you were guaranteed to be through immigration quicer. However, the last time I flew into MCO, I was through immigration in less than 15 minutes and still had a long wait for my luggage (no Global Entry scheme can assist with that) so I probably wouldn't bother. I guess you couldn't do it if you had kids either - and, unless everybody in your party was in the scheme, then you really woulnd't save any time. Just my opinion.

 

[chmurf]

I also probably wouldn't bother.

If you're flying a lot, with carry ons only, then maybe it's worth it.

but if you only go to the US once a year, it's a waste of money (especially now that there are automated kiosks)

you might do less waiting in line at immigration, but you'll spend that time waiting for luggage (worrying that they have not made it )

I would rather pay for a TSA precheck.
we were "selected" for precheck at MCO last month, and security was a breeze (no shoes off, no electronics out of the bags .... )

 

[BudgieMama]

I would rather pay for a TSA precheck.
we were "selected" for precheck at MCO last month, and security was a breeze (no shoes off, no electronics out of the bags .... )

Ditto! We were selected after 45 minutes in an awful queue... sadly, we already had all our electronics and liquids out and in our hands, belts off, etc, so it caused us plenty of faff when they wanted everything back to normal right away to go through that line! But hey, we still got through (and, as usual, only I ended up being patted down!)

 

[catherine]

We've just got back and on the way out we were one of the first few through immigration as the rest of my family have US passports! However we were one of the last out of the airport as we had to wait for out luggage which seemed to be among the last few suitcases of the plane! It took 3 hours from landing to actually getting to OKW!

 

[gavvy]

I can help!

I am part of the Global Entry trial for Uk citizens, I joined in 2012.
This is what I had to do
I had to fill in a very detailed form online giving a lot of personal information including every date I had entered the USA in past 5 years full employment history address history for 6 years full parents info passport info.
I then had to pay $100 to submit my application- its non refundable.
I then had to apply to the APCO for a certificate showing if I had any spent or unspent convictions - this is very different to a polict check and cost I think £50. It shows every conviction you have ever had even if spent.

If all goes well your certificate comes back clear- if it has any conviction on it you are not able to go any further.

The USA DHS speak to the home office (Yes really!) and you basically given them the right to do what they want with all your personal info, providing the home office and DHS / CBP like you, you get conditionally approved. You then have 3 months to schedule an appointment with a CBP agent in the USA. This was the scary part I thought but turned out to be easy. I went to MCO during my Holiday went to their office where they scanned my passport fingerprints etc.
Within 24 hours I was accepted.

Since I have had global entry I have never taken longer than 5 mins to clear immigration, and you jump to the front of the customs line too -its great, but it comes at the price of submitting very detailed info about you to the American authorities.

If you have ever had any warning or telling off from Customs in usa or the UK regarding the importing of fobidden items, such as fruit or forgetting to declare something then you are automatically banned for life. If these things ever happen in the future you will again be banned for life!

I love global entry- but it wont be for everyone.

 

[gavvy]

Oh and you get TSA pre check for free - well included in your $100 - except UK airlines dont officially reconise TSA pre :-(

It came into its own for me though earlier this year, the line in San francisco was easily 2-3 hours long, I was out of the customs hall in under 10 mins.

Also at MCO the immigration hall was backed up and they were not allowing anyone off the plane, I had a word with the lady at the door, explained I had global entry and I was let off, I have no idea how long everyone else has to sit on the plane for at MCO :-(

 

[dixonsontour]

Very intersting gavvy

I wouldn't as we only go once a year but for businesspeople etc can see the benefit.

 

[saintrob]

This sounds good! We go to WDW three times a year so this would be of benefit. We also go to New York occasionally so I wonder if it would apply at JFK? Next summer we're also going to LAX - this could prove extremely valuable. Thanks for the info.

 

[wilma-bride]

This sounds good! We go to WDW three times a year so this would be of benefit. We also go to New York occasionally so I wonder if it would apply at JFK? Next summer we're also going to LAX - this could prove extremely valuable. Thanks for the info.

JFK is included in the airports which participate. There is a list of airports with Global Entry kiosks here

 

[gavvy]

Almost all major airports are included.

Its worth mentioning you have to be and remain squeeky clean to be in the programme, even getting caught with an apple you forgot to declare will give you a lifelong ban from Global Entry.

Its not for everyone for sure, the application asks for a shocking amount of info and at least during the trial you had to be over 18 so forget about it if you had kids.

Its saved me a lot of time though, I think if you had connecting flights it would really help you in making the internal flight.