Australia set to join the U.S. Global Entry programme

Australian travellers will become eligible for easier entry in American airports, after participation in the U.S. Global Entry programme set to start next year.

The scheme will allow low risk, pre-approved passengers from selected countries to use the automated kiosks, speeding up processing times for entry into the United States.

Passengers will also enjoy faster screening time for domestic flights.

American passengers visiting Australia can already use ‘SmartGates’ at Australian airports, but a plan to open up the access scheme for passengers in 2018 fell through. 

“It’s good for Australian businesses, and it’s good for our friendship,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong, who made the announcement in Washington DC.

“This programme and our participation in it is a sign of our closeness and our trust.”

The application of the U.S. Global Entry scheme will occur in two stages, with a thousand frequent flyers able to apply from January 2025. In order to qualify, passengers will need to have travelled to the U.S. at least five times in the last twelve months.

This requirement, however, will be lifted in phase two of the scheme. This will allow an unlimited number of Australians to apply for the programme.

Despite this, phase two is expected to occur much later, as the Australian parliament will have to pass accompanying legislation.

Once approved, Australian passengers will be able to skip the line when they arrive at an American airport and go straight to an automated kiosk.

Applicants will be subject to a Nationally Coordinated Criminal History Check from the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission. 

Both current members of the Australian Defence Force and veterans will be checked for any previous military convictions.