美台互惠自动通关正式启用, Starting Nov 1

choi

夏小华, 美台互惠自动通关正式启用. RFA, Oct 26, 2017
www.rfa.org/mandarin/yataibaodao/gangtai/hx-10262017102506.html
("美国政府26号宣布，台湾成为 '美国全球入境计划 [Global Entry] ' 第12个，亚洲继韩国、新加坡、印度之后的第4个伙伴，未来台湾旅客线上注册，缴交美金100元（约658人民币），经面试及审核通过成为会员，入境美国就能透过自助查验机 [automated kiosk] 操作约1分钟，即可由专用通道入境，效期5年。 * * * 美国海关及边境保护局 [CBP] 入境与乘客计划执行长主任陶德霍夫曼赴台湾桃园机场参与剪彩仪式")

Note: Executive Director Todd A Hoffman, Admissibility and Passenger Programs, Office of Field Operations, Customs and Border Protection (CBP), US Department of Homeland Security

(2) Taiwan Joins Global Entry. American Institute in Taiwan (AIT), Oct 26, 2017.
https://www.ait.org.tw/taiwan-joins-global-entry/

Quote:

"On November 1, [2017] the 5th anniversary of the Visa Waiver Program in Taiwan, Taiwan will join a select group, becoming the 12th partner worldwide and 3rd in East Asia, whose passport holders are eligible to enroll in Global Entry.  At the same time, US citizens enrolled in a CBP Trusted Traveler Program will become the first non-residents to be eligible for Taiwan's e-Gate" to enter Taiwan.

"Since the announcement of Taiwan's participation in the Visa Waiver Program in 2012, overall travel from Taiwan to the United States has increased by almost 60 percent.  More Americans are traveling to Taiwan as well; the United States now ranks as the 5th highest source of tourists to Taiwan, the only country in the top ten outside of Asia.

"Currently available at 54 US airports and 15 Preclearance locations around the world [ie, 15 outside US], Global Entry streamlines the international arrivals process at airports for trusted travelers. More than 4.7 million Global Entry members bypass traditional CBP inspection lines and use an automated kiosk to complete their admission to the United States. As an added benefit, Global Entry members are also eligible to participate in the TSA Pre✓™ expedited screening program.

"US citizens, US nationals and U.S. Lawful Permanent Residents may apply for Global Entry as well as passport holders from Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and now Taiwan [algother 12 'partners' -- see quotation 1]. Canadian citizens and residents enrolled in NEXUS may also use the Global Entry kiosks.

"Interested travelers apply through the Trusted Traveler Programs website. * * * applications must be submitted online. Once the applicant successfully passes a background check, a CBP officer will conduct an interview with the applicant at one of the more than 100 Global Entry Enrollment Centers located throughout the US, Canada, and Qatar, or at an Enrollment on Arrival location and then make a final eligibility determination.

Note:
(a) There is no need to read the rest of this news release.
(b) Australia, France or Japan are not part of Global Entry program. I do not know why. Passport holders from Canada has a separate program called MEXUS. See (3).
(c) Except for Global Entry Enrollment Centers located in Canada and Qatar, the rest are within US. So a foreign applicant from Taiwan, say, will need to use "Enrollment on Arrival" station at an American port of entry -- to clear customs, immigration and an interview for Global entry (all at the same station, though these may be done separately).

The problem is an interview must be completed within 30 days of conditional approval of an online application; otherwise the conditional approval will be revoked.
(d) Global Entry Frequently Asked Questions. CBP, undated
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trust ... tly-asked-questions
("Is criminal history a disqualifier for Global Entry?
Is criminal history a disqualifier for Global Entry?")

(3) Trusted Traveler Programs. CBP, undated
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs
(Travel internationally: Global Entry; Travel between the US and Canada: NEXUS; Travel into the US from Mexico via land: SENTRI; Import commercial shipments between the US/Mexico or US/Canada [eg, truck drivers]: FAST [stands for Free and Secure Trade])