Expansion of Global Entry Eligibility to Certain Citizens of the Republic Of Korea, the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of Qatar, and the United Kingdom, 48706-48709 [2013-18775]

Agencies

• DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY
• U.S. Customs and Border Protection

[Federal Register Volume 78, Number 154 (Friday, August 9, 2013)]
[Notices]
[Pages 48706-48709]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Printing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2013-18775]


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DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY

U.S. Customs and Border Protection

[CBP Dec. No. 13-14]


Expansion of Global Entry Eligibility to Certain Citizens of the 
Republic Of Korea, the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of Qatar, 
and 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, low-risk participants 
expedited entry into the United States using Global Entry kiosks 
located at designated airports. Currently, eligibility for 
participation in Global Entry is limited to U.S. citizens, U.S. 
nationals, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Mexican nationals, and 
certain eligible citizens of the Netherlands. This document announces 
that CBP is expanding eligibility for Global Entry to include citizens 
of the Republic of Korea who are participants

[[Page 48707]]

in the Smart Entry System (SES), a trusted traveler program in the 
Republic of Korea; a limited number of citizens of the Federal Republic 
of Germany who are participants in the Automated and Biometrics-
Supported Border Controls (ABG) Plus, a trusted traveler program in the 
Federal Republic of Germany; a limited number of citizens of the State 
of Qatar; and a limited number of citizens of the United Kingdom who 
frequently travel to the United States. All of these individuals must 
otherwise satisfy the requirements for participation in the Global 
Entry program. CBP expects at some later point to expand eligibility to 
include all citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany, all citizens 
of the State of Qatar and all citizens of the United Kingdom who 
otherwise satisfy the requirements for participation 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 the Republic of Korea's SES program and that a limited 
number of U.S. citizens who participate in Global Entry will have the 
option to apply for membership in Germany's ABG Plus.

DATES: The expansion of eligibility to qualified citizens of the 
Republic of Korea, a limited number of citizens of the Federal Republic 
of Germany, a limited number of citizens of the State of Qatar, and a 
limited number of citizens of the United Kingdom will occur on August 
9, 2013. Applications will be accepted from qualified citizens of the 
Republic of Korea, a limited number of citizens of the Federal Republic 
of Germany, a limited number of citizens of the State of Qatar, and a 
limited number of citizens of the United Kingdom beginning August 9, 
2013.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Larry Panetta, Office of Field 
Operations, (202) 344-1253, Larry.Panetta@dhs.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: 

 Background

Global Entry Program

    Global Entry is a voluntary program that allows for the expedited 
clearance of pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United 
States at Global Entry kiosks located at designated airports. CBP 
issued the final rule that promulgated the regulation to establish 
Global Entry as an ongoing voluntary regulatory program in the Federal 
Register (77 FR 5681) on February 6, 2012. The final rule contains a 
detailed description of the program, the eligibility criteria, the 
application and selection process, and the initial airport locations. 
See 8 CFR 235.12. 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, with the exception of the citizens of the 
Republic of Korea. The Global Entry application process for citizens of 
the Republic of Korea is described in the section entitled ``The 
Republic of Korea.'' Applications for Global Entry must be completed 
and submitted electronically.
    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, the regulation provides that 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. It 
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.
    This document announces further expansion of the Global Entry 
trusted traveler program.

The Republic Of Korea

    On April 21, 2011, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP 
and the Republic of Korea-Ministry of Justice, Korea Immigration 
Service (KIS) signed a Joint Statement regarding the development of an 
initiative involving their respective international trusted traveler 
programs. Based on this Joint Statement, CBP is announcing that 
citizens of the Republic of Korea with Korean passports who participate 
in the Smart Entry System (SES), a trusted traveler program in the 
Republic of Korea maintained by KIS, are eligible to apply for 
participation in Global Entry. The application procedure for eligible 
Korean citizens is different from the usual Global Entry application 
procedure. These applicants will apply through an online application 
maintained by KIS and then set up a GOES account to pay the requisite, 
non-refundable Global Entry fee, and to schedule an interview with CBP.
    Eligible Korean citizens will be permitted to participate in Global 
Entry only upon successful completion of a thorough risk assessment by 
both CBP and KIS and completion of an interview with CBP. The vetting 
criteria were mutually agreed upon and are consistent with each 
agency's applicable domestic laws and policies.
    CBP will notify the applicants regarding whether or not they have 
been accepted into Global Entry. More information about how to apply is 
available at www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in the Smart Entry System (SES)

    Pursuant to the Joint Statement, U.S. citizens who are Global Entry 
participants or U.S. citizens who can utilize Global Entry kiosks as 
NEXUS or SENTRI participants have the option to apply for SES 
membership. SES is a trusted traveler program in the Republic of Korea 
that provides expedited entry into the country via the use of eGates, a 
system that uses fingerprints and facial recognition for biometric 
verification of the individual's identity. All U.S. citizen applicants 
must apply for SES through the GOES Web site, be thoroughly vetted by 
both CBP and KIS, and be interviewed by KIS to complete the enrollment 
process. U.S. citizen applicants are required to pay the SES fee at the 
time of the interview with KIS and may need to provide KIS with 
additional information and biometrics (in addition to the information 
already required by Global Entry) at the time of the interview. KIS 
will notify CBP whether the U.S. citizen applicant is approved, and CBP 
will notify the applicant. U.S. citizens may enter the Republic of 
Korea using SES at the Incheon International Airport or the Kimpo 
International Airport. More information about how to apply for SES 
membership is available at https://www.globalentry.gov.

The Federal Republic of Germany

    On April 14, 2010, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP 
and the Federal Ministry of the Interior of the Federal Republic of 
Germany

[[Page 48708]]

signed a Joint Declaration regarding the development of an initiative 
involving their respective international trusted traveler programs, the 
Global Entry/Automated and Biometrics-Supported Border Controls (ABG) 
Plus program. Based on this Joint Declaration, CBP is announcing that 
certain citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany who participate in 
ABG Plus, a trusted traveler program in the Federal Republic of 
Germany, are eligible to apply for participation in this Global Entry 
limited pilot program. Citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany who 
have been identified as potentially eligible for initial participation 
will receive a promotional code and information about the program from 
the German government. These individuals will be required to complete 
the online application located on the GOES Web site, enter the code 
during the application process, pay the non-refundable Global Entry 
fee, and satisfy all the requirements of Global Entry.
    These applicants will be permitted to participate in Global Entry 
only upon successful completion of a thorough risk assessment by both 
CBP and the German Federal Police and completion of an interview with 
CBP. The vetting criteria were mutually agreed upon and are consistent 
with each agency's applicable domestic laws and policies. CBP will 
notify the applicants regarding whether or not they have been accepted 
into Global Entry.
    Limiting the number of citizens of the Federal Republic of Germany 
who can apply for Global Entry at this time allows for the development 
of the program's infrastructure. CBP expects to be able to expand 
eligibility to apply for Global Entry to include all citizens of the 
Federal Republic of Germany in the near future. CBP will announce such 
expansion by notice in the Federal Register and on https://www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in ABG Plus

    Consistent with the Joint Declaration, a limited number of U.S. 
citizens who are Global Entry participants or U.S. citizens who can 
utilize Global Entry kiosks as NEXUS or SENTRI participants have the 
option to apply for participation in ABG Plus. Potentially eligible 
persons will receive a notice from CBP indicating that they are 
eligible to apply for participation in ABG Plus and describing the 
means by which they should apply. Although ABG Plus is only open to a 
limited number of U.S. citizens at this time to allow for the 
development of the program's infrastructure, the Federal Republic of 
Germany expects to be able to expand eligibility to include all U.S. 
citizens who are Global Entry participants in the near future. More 
information about such an expansion will be posted at https://www.globalentry.gov once ABG Plus is more broadly available.

The State of Qatar

    On December 4, 2011, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, CBP 
and the Ministry of Interior of the State of Qatar signed the Plan for 
the Application of the Immigration Advisory Program and the Global 
Entry Program (``Plan'') regarding the development of an initiative 
involving their respective international trusted traveler programs and 
the development of a Qatari trusted traveler program. Based on this 
Plan, CBP is announcing that certain citizens of the State of Qatar are 
eligible to apply for participation in Global Entry. Persons who have 
been identified as potentially eligible for initial participation in 
this limited pilot program will receive information about the program 
from the Qatari government. In order to participate, citizens of the 
State of Qatar who are invited to apply for Global Entry 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.
    These applicants will be permitted to participate in Global Entry 
only upon successful completion of a thorough risk assessment by both 
CBP and the Qatari Ministry of Interior and completion of an interview 
with CBP. The vetting criteria have been mutually agreed upon by both 
agencies and are consistent with each agency's applicable domestic laws 
and policies. CBP will notify the applicants regarding whether or not 
they have been accepted into Global Entry.
    Although CBP is expanding Global Entry to permit a limited number 
of citizens of the State of Qatar to apply for Global Entry at this 
time to allow for the development of the program's infrastructure, CBP 
expects to be able to expand eligibility to apply for Global Entry to 
include all citizens of the State of Qatar in the near future. CBP will 
announce such expansion by notice in the Federal Register and on https://www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in the State of Qatar's Trusted Traveler 
Program

    Consistent with the Plan, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent 
residents who participate in Global Entry or can utilize Global Entry 
kiosks as NEXUS or SENTRI participants will have the option to apply 
for participation in Qatar's trusted traveler program, once such a 
program is established. Once the program is established, CBP plans to 
announce it on CBP's Web site at https://www.globalentry.gov.

The United Kingdom

    On June 24, 2008, 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) signed a 
Joint Statement regarding the development of an international trusted 
traveler program, referred to as the International Expedited Travellers 
(IET) Initiative. The IET Initiative is intended to offer expedited 
travel for low-risk citizens of the United Kingdom into the United 
States and low-risk U.S. citizens into the United Kingdom, who meet the 
program requirements, including the successful completion of a thorough 
risk assessment by both CBP and the United Kingdom Border Agency.
    In furtherance of the IET Initiative, CBP is expanding eligibility 
to apply for participation in Global Entry to include certain citizens 
of the United Kingdom. The term ``citizens of the United Kingdom'' as 
used in the Joint Statement and this notice refers to citizens of 
England, Northern Ireland, Scotland and Wales. In order to allow for 
the development of the program's infrastructure, the application 
process will initially be open to only a limited number of citizens of 
the United Kingdom who frequently travel to the United States. Persons 
who have been identified as potentially eligible for initial 
participation receive a CBP promotional code and information about the 
program from a British airline carrier, the U.S. Embassy, or CBP. In 
order to participate, those individuals 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, including an in-person interview with CBP. These applicants will 
be required to enter the code during the application process. The code 
must be used within the specified time period and can only be used 
once. Citizens of the United Kingdom also must obtain a police 
certificate to be presented to a CBP officer at the time of the 
interview to demonstrate that they have no criminal history.
    Applicants will be permitted to participate in Global Entry only 
upon successful completion of a thorough risk assessment by both CBP 
and the United Kingdom Border Agency and

[[Page 48709]]

completion of an interview with CBP. The vetting criteria have been 
mutually agreed upon by both agencies and are consistent with 
applicable domestic laws and policies. CBP will notify the applicants 
regarding whether or not they have been accepted into Global Entry.
    Although CBP is expanding Global Entry to permit a limited number 
of citizens of the United Kingdom to apply for Global Entry at this 
time to allow for the development of the program's infrastructure, CBP 
expects to be able to expand eligibility to apply for Global Entry to 
include all British citizens in the near future. CBP will announce such 
expansion by notice in the Federal Register and on https://www.globalentry.gov.

U.S. Citizens' Participation in the United Kingdom's Trusted Traveler 
Program

    Consistent with the Joint Statement, U.S. citizens who participate 
in Global Entry or U.S. citizens who can utilize Global Entry kiosks as 
NEXUS or SENTRI participants will have the option to apply for 
participation in the United Kingdom's trusted traveler program, once 
such a program is established. Once the program is established, CBP 
plans to announce it on CBP's Web site at https://www.globalentry.gov.

General Eligibility To Participate In Global Entry

    For all Global Entry applicants, including applicants from the 
Republic of Korea, the Federal Republic of Germany, the State of Qatar, 
and the United Kingdom, the following general eligibility standards 
apply. An individual who is inadmissible to the United States under 
U.S. immigration law is ineligible to participate in Global Entry. 
Applications from such individuals will automatically be rejected. 
Applications for Global Entry may also be rejected if the applicant has 
ever been 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, an applicant will not be accepted 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 https://www.globalentry.gov.

    Dated: July 31, 2013.
 David J. Murphy,
 Acting Assistant Commissioner, Office of Field Operations.
[FR Doc. 2013-18775 Filed 8-8-13; 8:45 am]
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