I used to always feel jealous when I saw the TSA-precheck
customers zip through the TSA line and I have always wanted to do that. As I am
an Indian citizen, I do not qualify for TSA as only American citizens and LPRs
qualify for the same. However, there is something that is called Global entry
which includes the TSA precheck which I applied and got approved for. This post
is regarding the same.
First off a brief overview of what is Global Entry:
Global Entry allows expedited processing for pre-approved,
low-risk travelers when they arrive in the US at select airports. Instead of
standing in line, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their
machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their
fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs
declaration. The kiosk issues a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to
baggage claim and the exit. Aside from avoiding processing lines and paperwork,
another benefit of the program is TSA Precheck eligibility.
People who can apply for Global Entry: U.S. citizens, U.S. permanent residents, and citizens of
Colombia, the United Kingdom, Germany, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland,
and Mexico. (Depending on the country, visas may be required.) Canadian
citizens and residents are also eligible for Global Entry benefits through
membership in the NEXUS partnership (the agreement that allows members
expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada).
My application process is as follows.
- Create a trusted traveler profile here. https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/
- Select Global entry and then create an account and then fill in the details as asked. One will be asked to pay a $100 non0refundable application fee (many credit cards will refund the same) In addition to personal information—name, email address, gender, eye color, height, language preference—it requires you to fill in your employment, travel, and address history over the past five years. It also asks if you've violated any customs or immigration laws or been convicted of a crime. Fill out the application and submit a $100 fee, which covers your five-year membership if approved, but is non-refundable if your application is rejected. You can pay by credit card or electronic bank transfer.
- Once you have submitted the application, within 1-2 hours you should get an email from passport.admin@passportindia.gov.in with instructions on how to set up an appointment in India vs USA (the USA part is new and has just started in the last couple of months. The earlier rule was to make an appointment when going/planning to go to India). You will have to pay ₹500 in the Passport Seva Portal, for their background check in India. Once the payment is made and appt is confirmed, the page will tell you the things to take to the appointment (E.g. Proof of address (Passport, aadhar card), application confirmation page or SMS confirming the appointment). During the interview, your fingerprints and photo will be captured and there will be some other formalities
- Once this interview is done, one has to wait for the police clearance which can take anywhere from 1 day to a week. My dad and I went to our nearest police station to ask if this could be expedited and they obliged. They will need 2 neighbor Aadhar card photocopies with signatures to attest that you live at the home address that you have in your Aadhar card.
- After this, it is all sitting back and wait for the conditional approval to be granted. (takes anywhere from 6months to a year). A good place to look for is FlyerTalk, where one can see what is the current status.
- Once you are conditionally approved, you have to go to a nearby airport/GE location to attend an interview where they will ask why you want GE, show your documents. Do take your visa documents in addition to passport and driver's license. Please note that scheduling an interview is painful as there are no dates for most cities. However, keep checking the list and you might pounce on a date should someone cancel
My personal experience
- Passport appt 04/29/2019
- Police verification 04/30/2019
- Conditional approval 12/19/2019
- Interview 1/12/2020
A few sites that I found useful
