U.S. and German representatives this week signed a joint statement
indicating their intent to integrate the U.S. and German trusted
traveler programs. The two countries intend to develop processes for
eligible citizens of the two countries to apply for both the United
States’ Global Entry program and Germany’s Automated and
Biometrics-Supported Border Controls (ABG) program.
“Integrating one of our biometric trusted traveler programs with
Germany’s will facilitate legitimate trade and travel between our two
nations while allowing law enforcement to focus on the most serious
security threats at points of entry to our country,” said Jane Holl
Lute, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.
The Global Entry program allows pre-approved members a way to avoid
regular passport processing lines, which can drastically cut down on
wait times for such travelers. The ABG program is its German
counterpart program and eases the process for international visitors to
Germany.
More than 42,000 persons have enrolled in the Global Entry program,
which uses biometrics to identify trusted travelers, since its launch
in 2008. The program is available at 20 major airports in the United
States for U.S. citizens and permanent residents over the age of 14 who
have valid machine-readable passports and consent for background
screenings.
Learn more about the Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs at www.cbp.gov/travel.
