[Federal Register Volume 82, Number 155 (Monday, August 14, 2017)]
[Notices]
[Pages 37892-37893]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2017-17077]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

[CBP Dec. No. 17-09]


Expansion of Global Entry Eligibility to Citizens of the Republic 
of Colombia, Citizens of the Republic of Singapore, and Citizens of 
Switzerland

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) operates 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. This document announces that CBP is expanding 
eligibility for Global Entry to include citizens of the Republic of 
Colombia, citizens of the Republic of Singapore, and citizens of 
Switzerland. All of these individuals also must satisfy the 
requirements to participate in the Global Entry program. Additionally, 
this document announces that U.S. citizens who participate in Global 
Entry will have the option to apply for membership in Singapore's 
enhanced-Immigration Automated Clearance System (e-IACS).

DATES: Applications will be accepted from qualified citizens of the 
Republic of Colombia, qualified citizens of the Republic of Singapore, 
and qualified citizens of Switzerland beginning on August 14, 2017.

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

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

Background

Global Entry Program

    Global Entry is a voluntary program that provides pre-approved 
travelers arriving in the United States dedicated CBP processing 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 the 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. CBP announces the arrangement by publication of a notice in the 
Federal Register. The notice includes the country, the scope of 
eligibility of nonimmigrant aliens from that country (e.g., whether 
only citizens of the foreign country or citizens and noncitizens are 
eligible) and other conditions that may apply based on the terms of the 
arrangement. See 8 CFR 235.12(b)(1)(ii). Since establishing the Global 
Entry program, CBP has announced several expansions of the program.\1\
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    \1\ For further information see 75 FR 82202, December 29, 2010 
(utilization of Global Entry kiosks by NEXUS and SENTRI 
participants); 78 FR 48706, August 9, 2013 (expansion to certain 
citizens of the Republic of Korea and expansion through limited 
pilots to a number of citizens from the United Kingdom, the State of 
Qatar and Germany); 80 FR 1509, January 12, 2015 (expansion to 
certain citizens of Panama); 81 FR 7822, February 16, 2016 
(expansion to all German citizens); and, 81 FR 45170, July 12, 2016 
(expansion to all citizens of the United Kingdom).
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    CBP may deny applicants enrollment in the Global Entry program for 
various reasons. An individual who is inadmissible to the United States 
under U.S. immigration law or has, at any time, been granted a waiver 
of inadmissibility or parole is ineligible to participate in Global 
Entry. CBP will automatically reject applications from such 
individuals. CBP also may reject an application for Global Entry if an 
applicant has ever been arrested for, or convicted of, a criminal 
offense, or if the individual has ever been found in violation of 
customs or immigration laws, or of any criminal law. Additionally, CBP 
will not accept an applicant for participation in Global Entry if CBP 
determines that the applicant presents a potential risk of terrorism, 
or criminality (including smuggling), or if CBP cannot sufficiently 
determine that the applicant meets all the program eligibility 
criteria. The eligibility criteria are set forth in more detail in the 
Global Entry final rule and 8 CFR 235.12. See also http://www.globalentry.gov.
The Republic of Colombia
    On April 27, 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP 
and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia signed 
a Joint Statement regarding the development of an initiative involving 
their respective international trusted traveler programs. In the Joint 
Statement, the parties agreed to cooperate in the expansion of Global 
Entry to certain eligible citizens of Colombia and to mutually develop 
procedures for the implementation and operation of the expansion. Based 
on this Joint Statement, CBP is announcing that citizens of the 
Republic of Colombia are eligible to apply for participation in Global 
Entry.
    In order to apply for Global Entry, citizens of the Republic of 
Colombia must first complete the on-line application located on the 
GOES Web site, pay the nonrefundable Global Entry fee, and satisfy all 
the requirements of Global Entry. These applicants will then undergo a 
thorough risk assessment by both CBP and the Republic of Colombia's 
Ministry of Foreign Affairs and an interview with CBP. The vetting 
criteria were mutually developed and

[[Page 37893]]

are consistent with each agency's applicable domestic laws and 
policies.
    Once the risk assessment has been completed, CBP will notify the 
applicant of the results and next steps necessary to complete the 
enrollment. More information on how to apply is available at 
www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in Colombia's Trusted Traveler Program

    Consistent with the Joint Statement, U.S. citizens who participate 
in Global Entry will have the option to apply for participation in 
Colombia's trusted traveler program, once such program is established. 
Once the program is established, CBP plans to announce it on CBP's Web 
site at http://www.globalentry.gov.
The Republic of Singapore
    On December 1, 2014, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP 
and the Ministry of Home Affairs for the Republic of Singapore, 
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority signed a Joint Statement regarding 
the development of an initiative involving their respective 
international trusted traveler programs. In the Joint Statement, the 
parties agreed to cooperate in the expansion of their respective 
trusted traveler programs to eligible citizens of Signapore and the 
United States and to mutually develop procedures for the implementation 
and operation of the expansions. Based on this Joint Statement, CBP is 
announcing that citizens of the Republic of Singapore are eligible to 
apply for participation in Global Entry.
    In order to apply for Global Entry, citizens of the Republic of 
Singapore must first complete the on-line application located on the 
GOES Web site, pay the nonrefundable Global Entry fee, and satisfy all 
the requirements of Global Entry. These applicants will then undergo a 
thorough risk assessment by both CBP and the Republic of Singapore's 
Immigration & Checkpoints Authority and an interview with CBP. The 
vetting criteria were mutually developed and are consistent with each 
agency's applicable domestic laws and policies.
    Once the risk assessment has been completed, CBP will notify the 
applicant of the results and next steps necessary to complete the 
enrollment. More information on how to apply is available at 
www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in Singapore's Enhanced-Immigration 
Automated Clearance System (e-IACS)

    Pursuant to the Joint Statement, U.S. citizens who are Global Entry 
participants will have the option to apply for Singapore's enhanced-
Immigration Automated Clearance System (e-IACS). e-IACS is a trusted 
traveler program in Singapore that uses automated kiosks to offer 
expedited processing for travelers through clearance formalities when 
entering the Republic of Singapore. All U.S. applicants must apply for 
e-IACS directly with the Government of Singapore, be thoroughly vetted 
by the Republic of Singapore, meet specific passport and travel 
qualifications, and appear in person at an e-IACS enrollment center to 
complete the enrollment process. There is no fee for participation in 
e-IACS. The Republic of Singapore will notify the U.S. applicant 
directly about whether he or she was approved for e-IACS. More 
information about how to apply for e-IACS is available at https://ltpass.ica.gov.sg/ttp/ ttp/.
Switzerland
    On December 16, 2015, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP 
and the Federal Department of Justice and Police of the Swiss 
Confederation signed a Joint Statement regarding the development of an 
initiative involving their respective international trusted traveler 
programs. In the Joint Statement, the parties agreed to cooperate in 
the expansion of Global Entry to certain eligible citizens of 
Switzerland and to mutually develop procedures for the implementation 
and operation of the expansion. Based on this Joint Statement, CBP is 
announcing that citizens of Switzerland are eligible to apply for 
participation in Global Entry.
    In order to apply for Global Entry, citizens of Switzerland must 
first obtain clearance from the Swiss Federal Office of Police. CBP 
will not process applications from citizens of Switzerland unless such 
clearance has been obtained. To apply for clearance, an applicant must 
submit an application and pay a nonrefundable fee to the Swiss Federal 
Office of Police. The Swiss Federal Office of Police will notify the 
applicants whether clearance has been granted.
    After the applicant has obtained the necessary clearance, the 
applicant must complete the Global Entry on-line application located on 
the GOES Web site, pay the nonrefundable Global Entry fee, and satisfy 
all the requirements of Global Entry. These applicants will then 
undergo a thorough risk assessment by both CBP and the Federal 
Department of Justice and Police of the Swiss Confederation and an 
interview with CBP. The vetting criteria were mutually developed and 
are consistent with each agency's applicable domestic laws and 
policies.
    After the risk assessment has been completed, CBP will notify the 
applicant of the results and next steps necessary to complete the 
enrollment. More information on how to apply is available at 
www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in Switzerland's Trusted Traveler Program

    Consistent with the Joint Statement, U.S. citizens who participate 
in Global Entry will have the option to apply for participation in 
Switzerland's trusted traveler program, once such program is 
established. Once the program is established, CBP plans to announce it 
on CBP's Web site at http://www.globalentry.gov.

    Dated: August 8, 2017.
Todd C. Owen,
Executive Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 2017-17077 Filed 8-11-17; 8:45 am]
 BILLING CODE 9111-14-P