U.S. Travel Welcomes Panama to Global Entry Program

For those of you who travel back and forth to the US, this is a great program.  Just be sure to provide truthful information and follow the rules

Panama becomes the first Central American Nation to Join the Highly Successful Program that Makes Visitor Screening More Efficient and Secure
U.S. Travel Association President and CEO Roger Dow issued the following statement Thursday applauding Panama’s inclusion in U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s (CBP’s) Global Entry program, which expedites screening for pre-approved, low-risk travelers:

“Panama’s historic membership in the Global Entry program strengthens America’s trade ties and relations with an important Central American ally,” said U.S. Travel President and CEO Roger Dow. “Access to Global Entry will allow visitors from Panama to enjoy a better, more memorable experience in the United States, and be more inclined to visit again – all while strengthening security at U.S. ports of entry.

“Inbound international travel is America’s No. 1 services export, and so expansion of the proven Global Entry program directly benefits the U.S. economy and job creation. The U.S. travel community warmly welcomes Panama and looks forward to further Global Entry expansion.”

In addition to expanding Global Entry, U.S. Travel is asking Congress to provide the resources necessary to hire at least 3,500 new CBP officers for U.S. gateway airports. This investment would make the entry process more secure and efficient, better enabling the U.S. to realize its goal of welcoming 100 million additional international visitors per year by 2021, which would add $250 billion to the U.S. economy.

How Does the Global Entry Program Work?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Though intended for frequent international travelers, there is no minimum number of trips necessary to qualify for the program. Participants may enter the United States by using automated kiosks located at select airports.

At airports, program participants proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingertips on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and make a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claim and the exit.

Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and interview before enrollment.

While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in appropriate enforcement action and revocation of the traveler’s membership privileges.