
Use your US Global Entry cred to avoid immigration backups in other countries (Photo: CBP)
Are you a member of U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program who enjoys the opportunity to breeze through Customs and Immigration formalities when you re-enter the country?? If so, you might want to take advantage of expedited entry to certain other nations, if you tend to travel to them frequently. The latest to offer this for U.S. citizens is the United Kingdom.
Customs and Border Protection has started to notify Global Entry members that the U.K. has a new expedited entry program called Registered Traveller, which provides “faster and more convenient entry to the U.K. for nationals from the United States.” With Registered Traveller membership — which costs 70 pounds (about $107) — you can use ePassport gates and U.K./European Union lines at U.K. airports as well as a dedicated lane at London Gatwick; and you won’t need to fill out a landing card upon arrival or undergo a credibility interview with Border Force officers.
Eligibility and other information can be found at www.gov.uk/registered-traveller.
Related: How to avoid customs & immigration lines if you don’t have Global Entry
According to the Customs and Border Protection website, other nations also offer expedited entry procedures for American travelers. Most require fees and registration or other restrictions, but worth a look:
“U.S. Citizens enrolled in Global Entry may use the Smartgate system when entering Australia without registration. [Visa still required.] U.S. Citizens may apply for the Dutch FLUX program, the Korean SES program, Panama’s Global Pass or the Mexican Viajero Confiable program for expedited entry into those countries. Additional fees and enrollment interviews will apply.”
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