About Global Entry
Global Entry is a United States Customs and Border Protection (USCBP) program that allows faster immigration and customs clearance for eligible Australians who have been pre-approved when entering the United States.
Benefits of the program include:
- no processing lines
- reduced paperwork
- access to faster entry
- availability at major United States airports
- reduced wait times
- eligibility for Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check(Opens in a new tab/window).
Strict eligibility criteria apply. For details, see the Global Entry eligibility webpage(Opens in a new tab/window).
You may be found ineligible for participation in the Global Entry program if you:
- provide false or incomplete information on the application
- have been convicted of any criminal offence or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (including driving under the influence)
- have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country
- are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency
- have been denied for the purchase of a firearm
- are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation
- cannot satisfy USCBP of your eligibility.
All Australian applicants must undergo background checks by Australian Government authorities. All applicants will also need to undergo additional checks and attend an in-person interview undertaken by the United States. The United States is the approving authority for entry into the Global Entry program.
If accepted into the program, membership of Global Entry is valid for a 5-year period, subject to passing annual Australian background checks to maintain membership validity.
Membership of Global Entry does not replace any visa requirements for entry into the United States. Global Entry members will still need to ensure they hold the appropriate visa for entry into the United States.
Additional information about the United States Global Entry program is available at USCBP Global Entry(Opens in a new tab/window).
Australia does not have a Global Entry arrangement for entry into Australia for foreign citizens. However, some foreign citizens are eligible to use SmartGates when arriving in Australia. For more information visit Smartgates(Opens in a new tab/window).
Phased implementation
Australia is processing Global Entry applications in a phased approach. Phase One is now closed, and Australia has paused processing applications. Australia will continue processing applications once Phase Two commences. Phase Two is expected to open later in 2025.
If you have submitted an application for Global Entry but did not meet the requirements for Phase One, or Phase One closed before your application was considered, your application will be processed as part of Phase Two.
There may be additional costs under Phase Two.
More information about Phase Two will be available closer to commencement.
Contact us
For further information, email AusCheck@homeaffairs.gov.au.