As the summer heat climbs, so does the volume of international travelers. According to Generali Global Assistance annual travel survey, the number of Americans planning to travel over the summer increased from 61% in 2016 to 68% today, surpassing the rates of both their European (64%) and Chinese (67%) counterparts. The report delves even deeper, explaining that the average American budgets $2,643 for a summer vacation lasting 1.5 weeks. This summer, 54% of American travelers will go abroad, increasing the workload of border integrity agencies and increasing the level of inconvenience placed on the travelers. When traveling, no one enjoys waiting in lines, airport’s inefficient organization, and especially, wasting precious time.
Want to Make Your Travel Experience More Efficient and More Enjoyable?
As the number of travelers grow, so does United States Custom and Border Protection (CBP)’s responsibility. CBP has helped facilitate a more enjoyable travel experience through its creation of Trusted Traveler programs like Global Entry and the Mobile Passport Control Application. These programs not only improve the airport experience, but also allows CBP to execute their mission of protection, decreasing the number unapproved travelers.
What is Mobile Passport Control?
CBP’s Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is a free mobile application that has been downloaded more than 1 million times in two years. This application has revolutionized the re-entry process for international travelers. MPC permits eligible users to hold an official copy of their passport directly on their smart phone or tablet. Upon traveling back into the United States, users simply submit their passport and answers to a series of CBP inspection related questions directly on the app. Once completed, an official QR code is populated and provided to the CBP officer at the inspection station for a quick and easy process.
MPC is available to U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors arriving at 25 major U.S. international airports and at one seaport.
Global Entry
In the decade since its establishment, Global Entry has assisted more than 5 million travelers in their endeavors. Global Entry aims at easing the filtration of people through port security worldwide. The program pre-approves low-risk international travelers and allows travelers to process their arrivals to the U.S. using a self-service kiosk, as opposed to the archaic entry systems.
Not only does Global Entry expedite international travel, but its members also enjoy benefits of TSA Pre Check. TSA Pre Check allows for a quicker alternative security process at domestic airports, which eliminates requirements such as shoe and belt removal as well as having to take laptops or electronic devices out of their storage bags.
How Can You Obtain Get Global Entry?
To be considered eligible for Global Entry, an applicant must, first, be a resident of either:
- Argentina,
- India,
- Colombia,
- Germany,
- Panama,
- Singapore,
- South Korea,
- Switzerland,
- Taiwan,
- Mexico,
- the United Kingdom, or
- the United States.
To obtain Global Entry, travelers apply online and complete a background check. Upon the reception and conditional approval of the application by CBP, the applicant must complete an in-person interview with a CBP officer at a given enrollment center. Global Entry aims at easing the travel process for both the traveler and the screening agencies.
Why Was I Denied From Global Entry?
Unfortunately, cases of qualified individuals being denied entry to the program exist. Frequently the denial is the result of incomplete information of applications, however, there are other factors that may hinder approval.
An applicant may be deemed ineligible to participate in Global Entry for a variety of reasons. The most common reasons for ineligibility are false or incomplete information on the application, criminal offenses, and violation of customs, immigration or agriculture regulations.
To gain approval, information on the application must be true, consistent, and forthcoming, especially in instances that may produce contradictory information, such as marriage, divorce, or name changes. New or divergent information may cause a speed-bump in the approval process.
Criminal Offenses may also disqualify one from obtaining Global Entry. Although not every crime is cause for disqualification, offenses related to drug trafficking, prostitution, human trafficking, and money laundering, will not be tolerated.
If you were denied from Global Entry or have any questions regarding of CBP’s Trusted Travelers programs contact our office at info@diaztradelaw.com or (305) 456-3830 for assistance.
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