India / USA sign MoU to bring Global Entry to Indians

A few days and a few moons ago, I wrote about the possibility of Indian passports getting Global Entry. It turns out, this time this is no longer a rumor and the first steps have already been taken in this direction.

A press release posted by the Indian Ambassador to the US confirms that an MoU has been signed between the two governments to add India to the Global Entry program. From the release:

1. Today, on 3 June 2016, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Consular, Passport and Visa Division of the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India and U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security of the United States for the Development of an International Expedited Traveler Initiative (also known as the Global Entry Programme) was signed. The MoU was signed in Washington D.C. by the Ambassador of India to the United States and the Deputy Commissioner, U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Department of Homeland Security of the United States.

2. The Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection programme, which allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. India’s entry into the Global Entry Programme will offer Indian citizens opportunity to apply for membership in this Programme. After joint scrutiny and clearance by both countries, the approved Indian travelers will be extended the facility of expedited entry into the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

3. The procedures for India’s entry into the Global Entry Programme are expected to be completed in the coming months.

While the timelines have not been stated, I fully hope and expect that within the year the procedure should be formalised and the first Global Entry applications may be processed for Indian citizens! I’m hoping to join the queue to get an interview shortly!

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About Ajay

Ajay Awtaney is the Founder and Editor of Live From A Lounge (LFAL), a pioneering digital platform renowned for publishing news and views about aviation, hotels, passenger experience, loyalty programs, travel trends and frequent travel tips for the Global Indian. He is considered the Indian authority on business travel, luxury travel, frequent flyer miles, loyalty credit cards and travel for Indians around the globe. Ajay is a frequent contributor and commentator on the media as well, including ET Now, BBC, CNBC TV18, NDTV, Conde Nast Traveller and many other outlets.

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  1. India! Bloody India! Christ almighty, they get it and Australia hasn’t! WTF! Here we are, dopey Australian Government, asleep at the wheel again. Supposedly the greatest ally, been to every war with America, no-one els has, let American troops have bases on Australian soil, the supposedly greatest ever FTA and yet we still can’t get Global Bloody Entry. India! And Australians openly like Americans, Indians can’t stand you, yet they get it and we don’t, just about does my bloody head in, I am sick of entering the USA dealing with the Obama led understaffing, the massive lines, the queues, the attitudes of the Immigration staff, but I will endure because I love it here. But bloody India! As we say in Australia, this is bullshit.

  2. I concur with Bill’s comment. For example, the criteria to be approved by the British Registered Traveler Program as an American is tough. You have to have 4 previous visits within 1 year (which they track) and fill out a lengthy application. And I’ve heard that the program is known for only accepting a small percentage and keeping the entry fee (no refunds).

  3. I’m all for such bilateral agreements. But why does such an agreement not also permit American Global Entry travelers some form of expedited entry into India?

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