For foreign visitors, arriving at a U.S. airport is a borderline traumatic experience, with lines that are often extremely long and border agents who are often aggressive and hostile.
However, it turns out there is a way for tourists to make the stress go away and breeze through US customs in less than 60 seconds, while avoiding those fiery border agents.
What’s more, there is a way to do it for free.
Does it sound too good to be true? Nicky Kelvintravel expert and editor-at-large of The Points Guy, has revealed how it’s done.
in a instagram post He explains that the secret is to enroll in the Global Entry program.
This allows members, after international travel, to enter the US, in participating airportsby simply checking in at a ‘Global Entry Kiosk’. There is no paperwork or need to enter a processing line.
Nicky, a registered member, told MailOnline that his experience with the system is “almost always excellent”.
He revealed: ‘On my most recent visit to the United States, I arrived with a group of friends. Two had Global Entry and three did not. Global Entry helped us both clear immigration in less than 60 seconds. Our friends without Global Entry stood in line for two hours.
Nicky Kelvin, editor-at-large of The Points Guy, reveals in an Instagram post how to breeze through US customs in under 60 seconds while avoiding the fierce border agents. The trick is to register for the Global Entry program.
Global Entry members are pre-screened and can enter the US, at participating airports, simply by checking in at a ‘Global Entry Kiosk’
So how does it work?
The secret to the system is that Global Entry members are pre-selected, a process that involves an online application and then a brief interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
These can be found at airports throughout the United States and interviews can be scheduled prior to arrival by initiating the process. application process in advance and receive notification that you are “conditionally approved.”
Nicky said: ‘The interview is more of an identity check. It usually involves checking documents and taking fingerprints, for example.
“The easiest way for Brits to complete the interview is to make an appointment upon arrival the next time they fly to the United States. I completed my interview at JFK airport in New York and it took about five minutes.”
Nicky is totally excited about Global Entry, noting that signing up automatically grants members ‘TSA Pre-Checked’ status, meaning they can go through security in the US without removing their shoes, belts, liquids. , laptops or light jackets.
Global Entry isn’t free when you sign up, but Nicky points out that some US credit cards redeem the cost and insists it’s “excellent value” anyway.
Global Entry is available to citizens of 15 countries, including those of the United Kingdom.
He explains: ‘The fee consists of two parts and membership lasts for five years. There is a one-off initial fee of £42, a UK processing fee (you don’t need to pay this again when you renew after five years) and the main fee of US$120/£95.
‘You will pay this again after five years to renew. I think it represents an excellent value for anyone who visits the US one or more times a year. Even a couple of visits in five years would make sense.
“Most will not regret that outlay after their first experience of turning a two-hour queue into a non-existent one.”
Global Entry is available to citizens of 15 countries (unfortunately, Australians are not eligible): Argentina, Brazil, Bahrain, Dominican Republic, India, Colombia, United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and Mexico.
For more information about The Points Guy, visit thepointsguy.com.