Australians will soon enjoy quicker entry into the United States. From 2025, eligible Aussie travellers will be able to join the US Global Entry program, allowing faster customs and immigration clearance at American airports.
Starting in January 2025, the program will be available to frequent Australian travellers, with plans to expand to all eligible applicants later in the year.
Participants will also qualify for the Transportation Security Administration’s (TSA) Pre-Check program, which gives members quicker security checks for domestic US flights.
Global Entry is a US program for pre-approved and low-risk travellers. Members use Global Entry lanes at airports where technology verifies their membership with a photo. They then follow on-screen instructions and see a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer to complete the process. The program currently requires a background check and interview.
According to the Australian Government, the new information-sharing arrangement signed today marks a major step towards implementing the Global Entry program.
“Joining the Global Entry program is a mark of the closeness and the strength of the relationship between our two countries,” Minister for Foreign Affairs, Senator Penny Wong said.
“The foundation of the friendship between Australia and United States is the friendship between our people. This program will deepen these links and make it easier to foster greater commercial ties.”
Minister for Home Affairs, Tony Burke MP added, “The Albanese Government is delivering on Australia’s participation in the Global Entry program for the thousands of travellers who visit the United States frequently”.
“Today’s signing is an important step and we’re working hard to ensure that from January 2025, the first group of eligible Australians will experience expedited immigration and customs clearance channels when they arrive in the US.”
Business boost
Flight Centre Travel Group Global Corporate Chief Operating Officer Melissa Elf said the agreement would be a “very welcome move” for travellers.
“It’s fantastic news for corporate travellers that Australians will soon have access to the USA’s Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs, which speed up customs and security clearances at American airports,” she stated.
“The airbridge between Australia and the United States is critical for business travel, imports, and exports – with the countries conducting US$77 billion worth of two-way trade, with the investment relationship valued at US$1.6 trillion, making the United States Australia’s largest economic partner.
“Over 12,000 Australian companies export to the United States and our Flight Centre Corporate data shows us travel for the education sector has grown 93 per cent year on year for the January to June half – taking out the top spot for industry travelled.”
When it comes to the top US business travel destinations among Australians, Elf flagged a shake-up in the pecking order.
“Interestingly, despite Los Angeles staying as the number one destination for business travellers for our flagship FCM Travel and Corporate Traveller businesses, New York has stormed up the list into second place, followed by Las Vegas, San Francisco, and the Silicon Valley of Boston,” she said.
“Australian business travellers have been buoyed by the number of new, direct routes that have now opened up between our two countries, but we are still behind the curve when it comes to capacity versus 2019 – more choice and competition going forward will see travel grow even more.”
For more on the Global Entry Program, click here.
