U.S. Customs and Border Protection announced on Monday, August 14, that citizens of the Dominican Republic are now eligible to apply for Global Entry, a program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.
What to Expect
- Dominican citizens who apply and are approved for the Global Entry program will be able to enter the U.S. using the Global Entry portals in the Federal Inspection Service areas of 85 airports in the U.S. and other countries – expediting their arrivals process into the United States, while enhancing security by utilizing a risk-based methodology.
- Successful Global Entry applicants will receive the benefit of the TSA PreCheck® program, which will allow for a smoother screening process at security control for domestic and international flights departing the US, eliminating the requirement to remove shoes, jackets or belts, and computers from carry-on bags.
- Travelers must be pre-approved for all Trusted Traveler programs, including Global Entry.
- All applicants undergo rigorous and recurring background checks and an in-person interview before enrollment.
- Members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States.
- Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in the appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges.
The partnership was finalized with a formal signing ceremony in the Dominican Republic, making it one of 16 Global Entry partner countries, including Croatia, Bahrain, Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, the Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, Brazil, and the United Kingdom.
For more information on Global Entry, visit https://ttp.dhs.gov/.
Erickson Insights
Erickson Immigration Group will continue to monitor developments and share updates as more news is available. Please contact your employer or EIG attorney if you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions.