Entry to USA

[Moosh51]

Hi all.
I travel to the USA about once a month and get sick of waiting in the immigration line.
Does anyone know if Australian citizens will be ble to use the Smart Entry (or its equivalent in the USA) in the near future.
Australian Citizens cant get Global Entry (I think) because we are not citizens of South Korea, Netherlands, Mexico or Canada. Nexus also ecludes us. APEC needs one to be sponsored by a multinational.
It seems strange that US citizens can breeze through our immigration using Smart Entry but there is no reciprocal rights for us Ozzies entering the USA.
I know this is not about FF programs but its certainly about frequent traavellers.

Thanks for any information anyone can provide.

PS: I did email CBP in the USA but they saw fit not to respond to me!

maurice

 

[serfty]

There are recent posts that those Australians with ePassports (M or later series) can now use the entry Kiosks. Reports on this from DFW and LAX.

 

[aaflyer]

LAX Unveils New Automated Passport Control Kiosks to Expedite Travelers has information and pictures. It's available at TBIT.

 

[blackcat20]

Yep, kiosks are available and make it nice and quick.

 

[RooFlyer]

Many US (and Canadian for US entry) airports allow use by Australian Passport holders at the kiosks: here.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

LAX Unveils New Automated Passport Control Kiosks to Expedite Travelers has information and pictures. It's available at TBIT.

"These kiosks will allow passengers to avoid long lines and reduce wait times at Customs, so they can be out the door faster and on their way to exploring the greatest city in the world," said Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti.

I'm struggling to come to terms with the fact that the city he's talking about is LA. Okay it may be the City of Angels but the greatest city in the world??? I think the Mayor's been smoking the same stuff as his Toronto counterpart

Many US (and Canadian for US entry) airports allow use by Australian Passport holders at the kiosks: here.

I note New York's La Guardia (LGA) isn't on the list so worth noting if flying trans-Atlantic.

 

[Warks]

I used it in LAX last month. Fingerprint scanners are a pain for people with misshapen fingers like me. Staff member had to hold my hand in place for the scan to work!

 

[blackcat20]

I used it in LAX last month. Fingerprint scanners are a pain for people with misshapen fingers like me. Staff member had to hold my hand in place for the scan to work!

Same experience for me, with crooked fingers. Staff had to apply pressure just right to get it to scan properly.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

This should kinda make MRing easier I guess. After the photo's and finger prints, do you still have to get questioned by CBP?

Edit: It states that users must be eligible for WVP in order to use it.. But does this mean I need to get the WVP? I have a visa due to the fact that I needed to stay longer than 3 months. I wonder if I need to get the WVP to speed up the process?

 

[RooFlyer]

This should kinda make MRing easier I guess. After the photo's and finger prints, do you still have to get questioned by CBP?

Edit: It states that users must be eligible for WVP in order to use it.. But does this mean I need to get the WVP? I have a visa due to the fact that I needed to stay longer than 3 months. I wonder if I need to get the WVP to speed up the process?

I think if you need a Visa due to extended stay, then you can't "waive" that visa, so you can't use the VWP. I don't think you could use the kiosks - but opinion only.

 

[Himeno]

I note New York's La Guardia (LGA) isn't on the list so worth noting if flying trans-Atlantic.

LGA also has no passport control. Period. The only international flights into LGA are from airports in Eastern Canada and the Caribbean with US Preclearance.

 

[rioter]

Same experience for me,neither crooked fingers. Staff had to apply pressure just right to get it to scan properly.

Same with me. Occasionally get a big X on my print out which means to the normal line for you as we couldn't process your fingerprints.

 

[ozbeachbabe]

LGA also has no passport control. Period. The only international flights into LGA are from airports in Eastern Canada and the Caribbean with US Preclearance.

I thought BA at one stage did LGA/LHR - though I might be confusing that with EWR.

I think if you need a Visa due to extended stay, then you can't "waive" that visa, so you can't use the VWP. I don't think you could use the kiosks - but opinion only.

Probably best to check with the US Consulate on that one.

I know airline crews have a hard visa in their passport but travel on an ESTA for holidays on that same passport so it's possible to have both but double check in your circumstances.

 

[_TheTraveller_]

I think if you need a Visa due to extended stay, then you can't "waive" that visa, so you can't use the VWP. I don't think you could use the kiosks - but opinion only.

I got a 5 year visa a couple years back as I needed it then. But I don't need it now. I'll get WVP and test it out this month....

 

[FlyboyAl]

I'll try it tomorrrow in LAX.

 

[N860CR]

Must have come in quickly. All as normal on Sunday. Hopefully it'll reduce questioning time at the immigration point

 

[aaflyer]

I'll try it tomorrrow in LAX.

Likewise. Wonder if we're on the same flight

 

[FlyboyAl]

Likewise. Wonder if we're on the same flight

we are on QF11

 

[cirqueboy]

When entering the US under the VWP, you can use the kiosks at DFW and LAX to pass immigration much faster.

If you have a specific Visa for entry (as I do) then technically you need to line up with everyone else. A faster way around this is to go to the kiosk and when it asks you the question about the VWP entry you say "no". You then get a receipt with a big cross through it. As you go to the agent that checks your print out, they generally direct you to the first officer available.

Generally, I plead "I didn't know". They usually scowl for a few seconds and then stamp me in. Much faster than lining up behind the 3 747's that just landed from Europe

 

[ozbeachbabe]

Generally, I plead "I didn't know". They usually scowl for a few seconds and then stamp me in. Much faster than lining up behind the 3 747's that just landed from Europe

.....or an MU A340 or KE A388.