[Federal Register Volume 81, Number 133 (Tuesday, July 12, 2016)]
[Notices]
[Pages 45170-45172]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2016-16435]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

[CBP Dec. No. 16-09]


Expansion of Global Entry Eligibility to All Citizens of the 
United Kingdom

AGENCY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection; Department of Homeland 
Security.

ACTION: General notice.

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SUMMARY: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has established the 
Global Entry international trusted traveler program at most major U.S. 
airports. Global Entry allows pre-approved participants dedicated CBP 
processing into the United States using Global Entry kiosks located at 
designated airports. In 2013, CBP announced a limited pilot program 
through which certain British citizens were eligible to apply for 
participation in the Global Entry program. This

[[Page 45171]]

document announces that CBP is concluding the pilot and expanding 
eligibility in the Global Entry program to include all British citizens 
with a valid United Kingdom passport documenting their British 
citizenship. Additionally, this document announces that certain U.S. 
citizens may apply for membership in Registered Traveller, the United 
Kingdom's registered traveler program.

DATES: Global Entry eligibility will be expanded to British citizens on 
July 12, 2016. Applications will be accepted beginning July 12, 2016.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Garret A. Conover, Office of Field 
Operations, (202) 325-4062, [email protected].

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

Global Entry Program

    Global Entry is a voluntary program that allows for dedicated CBP 
processing of pre-approved travelers arriving in the United States at 
Global Entry kiosks located at designated airports. In a final rule 
published in the Federal Register (77 FR 5681) on February 6, 2012, CBP 
promulgated the regulation (8 CFR 235.12) to establish Global Entry as 
an ongoing voluntary regulatory program. Section 235.12 contains a 
description of the program, the eligibility criteria, the application 
and enrollment process, and redress procedures. Travelers who wish to 
participate in Global Entry must apply via the Global On-Line 
Enrollment System (GOES) Web site, https://goes-app.cbp.dhs.gov, and 
pay the applicable fee. Applications for Global Entry must be completed 
and submitted electronically. The list of airports with Global Entry 
kiosks is available at http://www.globalentry.gov.
    Eligibility for participation in Global Entry is limited to U.S. 
citizens, U.S. nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and certain 
nonimmigrant aliens from countries that have entered into arrangements 
with CBP regarding international trusted traveler programs. 
Specifically, certain nonimmigrant aliens from countries that have 
entered into arrangements with CBP concerning international trusted 
traveler programs may be eligible to apply for participation in Global 
Entry after CBP announces the arrangement by publication of a notice in 
the Federal Register. The notice will include the country, the scope of 
eligibility of nonimmigrant aliens from that country (e.g., whether 
only citizens of the foreign country or citizens and non-citizens are 
eligible) and other conditions that may apply based on the terms of the 
arrangement. See 8 CFR 235.12(b)(1)(ii). In the preamble of the Global 
Entry final rule, CBP recognized the existence of previous arrangements 
it had with Mexico and the Netherlands regarding the international 
trusted traveler programs and announced that Mexican nationals and 
certain citizens of the Netherlands were eligible to apply for the 
Global Entry program. CBP further specified that Mexican nationals and 
citizens of the Netherlands who were existing participants in the 
Global Entry pilot would be automatically enrolled in the ongoing 
Global Entry program. CBP also stated that pursuant to a previous 
Federal Register notice,\1\ participants in NEXUS and certain 
participants in SENTRI would still be allowed to use the Global Entry 
kiosks.
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    \1\ See the Utilization of Global Entry Kiosks by NEXUS and 
SENTRI Participants Federal Register notice, December 29, 2010 (75 
FR 82202) for further information.
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    In a notice published in the Federal Register (78 FR 48706) on 
August 9, 2013, CBP expanded Global Entry eligibility to include 
citizens of the Republic of Korea who are participants in the Smart 
Entry System (SES), a trusted traveler program for pre-approved, low-
risk travelers at designated airports in the Republic of Korea and a 
limited number of citizens of the State of Qatar. In the notice, CBP 
also announced a Global Entry pilot for a limited number of German 
citizens who participated in ABG Plus, Germany's former trusted 
traveler program.
    In a notice published in the Federal Register (81 FR 7822) on 
February 16, 2016, CBP announced the conclusion of the limited pilot 
for German citizens and the expansion of Global Entry eligibility to 
include all German citizens. Additionally, this notice announced that 
certain U.S. citizens may apply for membership in EasyPASS, Germany's 
registered traveler program.
    In a notice published in the Federal Register (80 FR 1509) on 
January 12, 2015, CBP expanded Global Entry eligibility to include 
citizens of the Republic of Panama. Additionally, the notice announced 
that U.S. citizens who participate in Global Entry or U.S. citizens who 
can utilize Global Entry kiosks as NEXUS or SENTRI participants have 
the option to apply for membership in Panama Global Pass, the Republic 
of Panama's trusted traveler program.

Limited Global Entry Pilot for Certain Citizens of the United Kingdom

    In the August 9, 2013 notice referenced in the previous section, 
CBP also announced a limited Global Entry pilot program allowing a 
limited number of British citizens who frequently travel to the United 
States to apply for participation in Global Entry. During this limited 
pilot, certain British citizens who were identified as potential 
participants in the pilot program, received a promotional code from a 
British airline carrier, the U.S. Embassy, or CBP to use during the 
application process. These applicants were required to obtain a police 
certificate to be presented to a CBP officer at the time of the Global 
Entry interview to demonstrate that they had no criminal history. The 
United States and the United Kingdom limited the number of British 
citizens who could apply for Global Entry to allow for the development 
of the program's infrastructure. The notice stated that CBP expected to 
be able to expand eligibility to include all British citizens in the 
near future and that such an expansion would be announced by notice in 
the Federal Register and on http://www.globalentry.gov.
Expansion of Global Entry Program To Include All Citizens of the United 
Kingdom
    This document announces that pursuant to the Joint Declaration 
signed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP, and the United 
Kingdom Home Office, United Kingdom Border Agency of Great Britain and 
Northern Ireland (United Kingdom Border Agency) on June 24, 2008, CBP 
is expanding Global Entry eligibility to include all British citizens 
in accordance with the terms and conditions set forth below. As a 
result, CBP is concluding the limited pilot program. All pilot 
participants will continue their Global Entry membership for the 
initial five-year membership period. If pilot participants want to 
renew their membership when their initial Global Entry membership 
expires, the renewal will be subject to the terms and conditions set 
forth below.
    Any British citizen with a valid United Kingdom passport 
documenting his or her British citizenship may apply for Global Entry. 
The terms ``citizens of the United Kingdom'' as used in the Joint 
Statement and ``British citizen'' as used in this notice refer to 
citizens of England, Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.

[[Page 45172]]

    Before a British citizen can apply for Global Entry, he or she must 
first register to apply through the United Kingdom Home Office Web 
site, www.gov.uk. The United Kingdom charges a non-refundable [pound]42 
processing fee for registering to apply for Global Entry. This 
processing fee is collected by the United Kingdom to process the 
applicant's background check. After the applicant is thoroughly vetted 
for Global Entry by the United Kingdom Border Agency, the applicant 
will receive a UK Access Code from the United Kingdom to use to apply 
for Global Entry.\2\
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    \2\ Unlike in the pilot, a British citizen does not have to 
obtain a police certificate to present to the CBP officer at the 
time of the Global Entry interview.
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    To apply for Global Entry, the applicant will be required to 
complete the online application located on the GOES Web site, pay the 
non-refundable Global Entry fee, and satisfy all the requirements of 
Global Entry. During the application process, the applicant will also 
be required to enter the UK Access Code on the GOES Web site. If an 
applicant is not vetted by the United Kingdom and does not have a UK 
Access Code prior to applying to Global Entry, the Global Entry 
application will not be accepted. The applicant will be permitted to 
participate in Global Entry only upon successful completion of a risk 
assessment by CBP and completion of an interview with a CBP officer.\3\ 
CBP will notify the applicant whether or not he or she has been 
accepted in the Global Entry program.
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    \3\ The vetting criteria to be used by both the United Kingdom 
Border Agency and CBP were mutually agreed upon by both agencies and 
are consistent with each agency's applicable domestic laws and 
policies.
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    Applicants may be denied enrollment in the Global Entry program for 
various reasons. The eligibility criteria are set forth in detail in 
the Global Entry final rule and 8 CFR 235.12. See also http://www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in Registered Traveller

    Certain U.S. citizens who are 18 years of age or older have the 
option to enroll in Registered Traveller, a registered traveler program 
in the United Kingdom that provides expedited entry into the country 
via ePassport gates at border control. An ePassport is required for 
Registered Traveller for use at these ePassport gates. A U.S. citizen 
does not have to be a member of a CBP trusted traveler program to apply 
for Registered Traveller. However, a U.S. citizen must meet specific 
visa and/or travel qualifications to be eligible to apply for 
Registered Traveller.
    Eligible U.S. applicants may apply for Registered Traveller on the 
United Kingdom Web site. U.S. applicants must register for Registered 
Traveller directly with the British Government and undergo a background 
check. There is a fee associated with Registered Traveller. The 
applicant will be notified by the United Kingdom about whether he or 
she is approved for Registered Traveller. More information about 
Registered Traveller, including the eligibility criteria and how to 
apply, is available at www.gov.uk.

    Dated: July 6, 2016.
Todd C. Owen,
 Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 2016-16435 Filed 7-11-16; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-14-P