US Global Entry Program for Australian citizens [from 2025]

[desafinado74]

Apart from being interviewed on arrival at a US airport, You can get interviewed at the local US consulate / embassy in Australia as well isn't it?

 

[Himeno]

Apart from being interviewed on arrival at a US airport, You can get interviewed at the local US consulate / embassy in Australia as well isn't it?

Not from what I can tell.
The Global Entry interview is done by a CBP agent at an enrollment center.
Interviews at US Diplomatic mission are conducted by a Consular Officer for issuing a visa.

 

[desafinado74]

Not from what I can tell.
The Global Entry interview is done by a CBP agent at an enrollment center.
Interviews at US Diplomatic mission are conducted by a Consular Officer for issuing a visa.

Oh I see ! I thought you can do the Global Entry interview in Australia before departing for the US.

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Oh I see ! I thought you can do the Global Entry interview in Australia before departing for the US.

Nexus member here (the sibling of Global Entry for Canadians who want access to Global Entry at both Canadian and US ports). It needs to be done at select US CBP border facility since an immigration official has to review your travel history and be able to ask you questions. It cannot be done at a consulate because consulates cannot make admissibility decisions. Yes they can issue visas, but visas by themselves do not guarantee you entry into a country. Only a border guard can make the determination of whether you are suitable to enter (and be part of this program). I will say that the Canadian Nexus is more stringent as you are interviewed by two border officers (one from Canada and one from the US), although Nexus applicants do have the option of getting interviewed at land borders which can be useful.

One misconception people may have about the entry on arrival process is that it must be completed at a US airport. That's not necessarily the case. Many airports outside of the US have US pre-clearance whereby passengers are interrogated by the CBP at the airport, thereby allowing them to skip immigration on arrival in the US. For instance, airports in Vancouver, Toronto, Dublin, Abu Dhabi all have these facilities allowing you to book a time for an interview. A complete listing of participating airports can be found here:

Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival

Securing America's Borders

www.cbp.gov

Here's a Brit's experience with the whole Global Entry thing for those interested in wanting to move forward with application:

 

[desafinado74]

Nexus member here (the sibling of Global Entry for Canadians who want access to Global Entry at both Canadian and US ports). It needs to be done at select US CBP border facility since an immigration official has to review your travel history and be able to ask you questions. It cannot be done at a consulate because consulates cannot make admissibility decisions. Yes they can issue visas, but visas by themselves do not guarantee you entry into a country. Only a border guard can make the determination of whether you are suitable to enter (and be part of this program). I will say that the Canadian Nexus is more stringent as you are interviewed by two border officers (one from Canada and one from the US), although Nexus applicants do have the option of getting interviewed at land borders which can be useful.

One misconception people may have about the entry on arrival process is that it must be completed at a US airport. That's not necessarily the case. Many airports outside of the US have US pre-clearance whereby passengers are interrogated by the CBP at the airport, thereby allowing them to skip immigration on arrival in the US. For instance, airports in Vancouver, Toronto, Dublin, Abu Dhabi all have these facilities allowing you to book a time for an interview. A complete listing of participating airports can be found here:

Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival

Securing America's Borders

www.cbp.gov

Here's a Brit's experience with the whole Global Entry thing for those interested in wanting to move forward with application:

Thanks so much for the detailed reply.
I will check out the video.

 

[drif]

I'm headed to DFW later this month, so will see if I can land a enrollment on arrival and if so, will update on how long it took for the emails and approvals to hit. I've pre-added my KTN to my AA bookings (my understanding is that the KTN is the PassID number on the TTP website), to try and minimise any delays. Fingers crossed!

Landed in DFW on 25/2. Couldn't find a specific line for Enrollment on Arrival, but asked the security guard herding passengers and she directed me to a specific CBP agent. The CBP agent couldn't find my Conditionally Approved application to finalise the GE application. He told me to go to the GE office downstairs. I had only 1.5 hours layover but I really wanted to get the GE status finalised. I went to the office and luckily they didn't have anyone waiting for appointments so the agent did the final checks (fingerprints, photo) in the office. I got an email within 10 minutes confirming full approval, but the AA app didn't refresh with PreCheck in time, so I had to line up again for security to get into Terminal D and get the skytrain to B. Made the flight 5 minutes before boarding commenced!

Returning from YYZ to DFW on 1/3. Had PreCheck on my AA boarding pass and GE/PreCheck is accepted at Pearson to shortcut security queues. But you still need to take large electronic devices out. Went to GE Kiosk and the GE didn't work (said to see agent). Went to agent who found my GE status and said it might have been a kiosk glitch and if it happens again, to email. I had previously tried the GE app and it kept saying "invalid submission" so either it is taking some time to update in the back end or there is something that needs to be fixed onmy account. I've emailed CBP to check.

Hope that is all hopeful for someone! Good luck everyone.

 

[justinbrett]

So although I think I was one of the first in this thread to apply, I’ve just got my background check approved. I think that was about 6 weeks.

I have ADF service and I’ve lived in 4 states so something in that perhaps made my case complex. Likely ADF I’d say.

 

[lurker]

One thing to keep in mind for those planning Enrollment on Arrival, is that some airports only have certain hours that they do interviews, listed at Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival

I arrived at 8:40pm into LAX, but they stopped taking interviews from 8:30pm on that day so that they would be finished by their advertised closing time at 9pm

 

[Himeno]

Enrollment on Arrival opening hours at US ports with arrivals from Australia
HNL 0800-1600
LAX 0600-2100 (TBIT) 1100-1900 (T7)
SFO 0600-2200 (G) 0900-0100 (A)
JFK 0800-0000 (T8/BA) 0600-0000 (T8/AA)
DFW 0700-1800
IAH 0500-0000

 

[Surchling]

So I had to have an appointment with Australian Home Affairs (via teams) to establish my identity before they started my background check. I think it was issues that my travel was on a previous Passport number but that passport is now expired and the new one has no travel attached.

4/2 Invitation to complete application
5/2 Application submitted
19/2 Identity verification interview
24/2 Background check started & completed
8/3 still waiting on CBP fingers crossed its complete for my next arrival into the states on the 13th

 

[Hilius]

So, any clues about when they're going to get this show on the road and open up applications more widely?

Some of us expats who do a lot of US domestic flying but aren't eligible for the trial are getting antsy for our PreCheck that's been promised for nearly a decade

 

[serfty]

So, any clues about when they're going to get this show on the road and open up applications more widely?
...

According to the original announcement back in August, that is dependent on legislation being passed. Back then indications were:

is expected to begin "later" in 2025.

Australia, US strike deal to save travellers time at American airports

Australians will soon be eligible for easier passage through American airports as participation in the US Global Entry program is set to begin early next year.

www.abc.net.au

 

[DFWorldtraveller]

In the middle of applying for my son and wife - I already have my Global Entry. Wife’s application is now in process - annoyingly for my son you cannot complete the Aust Background check online if under 18! Apparently you have to get a manual form. I sent a email to the listed address asking for the form but so far 2 days later I have not received any response…

 

[DFWorldtraveller]

So manual form provided by Auscheck. I will let the group know how long it takes

 

[kangarooflyer88]

Returning from YYZ to DFW on 1/3. Had PreCheck on my AA boarding pass and GE/PreCheck is accepted at Pearson to shortcut security queues. But you still need to take large electronic devices out.

That shouldn't be the case with pre-check. You should be able to leave everything in your bags and go through security (that's one of the benefits of having pre-check status). Now it has been a while since I last had to go through US security at Toronto Pearson (by my records it was May 2023). So maybe my recollection here is incorrect, but certainly clearing security at US airports that's not the case provided of course you are in a designated pre-check lane.

Went to GE Kiosk and the GE didn't work (said to see agent). Went to agent who found my GE status and said it might have been a kiosk glitch and if it happens again, to email.

If it's your first time going through the GE Kiosk this hiccup will occur. When I renewed my Nexus back in 2022 and took a flight to the US, they had to take another photo of me using a webcam at the airport (even though I already went through that process before). After that the biometrics had no problem recognizing me when I walked up to a kiosk. When it does work, the whole process is seamless, it's way easier than even Australia's eGates since you don't need to get a slip or even pull out your passport. It's all facial recognition with no questions to ask.

-RooFlyer88

 

[Surchling]

So I had to have an appointment with Australian Home Affairs (via teams) to establish my identity before they started my background check. I think it was issues that my travel was on a previous Passport number but that passport is now expired and the new one has no travel attached.

4/2 Invitation to complete application
5/2 Application submitted
19/2 Identity verification interview
24/2 Background check started & completed
8/3 still waiting on CBP fingers crossed its complete for my next arrival into the states on the 13th

12/3 got CBP conditional approval (just in time for my flight tomorrow so I'll do Enrolment on Arrival in DFW)

 

[Himeno]

That shouldn't be the case with pre-check. You should be able to leave everything in your bags and go through security (that's one of the benefits of having pre-check status). Now it has been a while since I last had to go through US security at Toronto Pearson (by my records it was May 2023). So maybe my recollection here is incorrect, but certainly clearing security at US airports that's not the case provided of course you are in a designated pre-check lane.

Not all checkpoints have space for a dedicated precheck lane. Some larger airports have dedicated precheck checkpoints, others have a dedicated lane at the checkpoint. Others have no precheck lane, causing slight differences in the processing of people with precheck.
From what I've seen at these checkpoints, the person checking ID/boarding pass calls back to the person gate keeping the metal detector that they have a precheck. They keep shoes on and go through the metal detector, but the screening for the baggage xray is different depending on whoever is the manager on duty at the time.