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UNITED STATES: Brazil Fully Added to Global Entry Program
February 14, 2022
The United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) recently announced that Brazil has been fully added to the U.S. Global Entry program.
What is the Global Entry Program?
Designed to provide expedited entry clearance for “pre-approved, low-risk travelers” upon arrival in the United States, the Global Entry program allows pre-screen travelers to skip long processing lines and paperwork at most major international airports. Global Entry members are also eligible for the TSA Precheck program.
With this announcement, Brazil joins 12 other countries that have access to the program: Argentina, Colombia, Germany, India, Mexico, the Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, and the United Kingdom. Note that Canadian citizens are eligible for Global Entry program benefits through membership in the NEXUS program.
Eligibility and Application Process for Brazilian Citizens
Effective immediately, Brazilian citizens can apply for Global Entry membership unless they meet any of the following ineligibility criteria:
- Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
- Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence);
- Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
- Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
- Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or
- Cannot satisfy CBP of their low-risk status.
Eligible applicants will need to take the following steps to apply for the program:
- Apply Online via CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website – applicant will need to pay the $100 non-refundable application fee as part of this application.
- Schedule an Interview – once the application has been reviewed, the travelers will receive a message in their TTP account instructing them to schedule an interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centers. If the individual is unable to schedule an in-person interview, they may opt to use the Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) option that is immediately available while entering the U.S. from an international country. Additional information regarding EoA is available here.
- In-Person Eligibility Interview – a U.S. CBP officer will ask the applicant questions, check their documentation, and take their biometrics (photograph and fingerprints). Applicants must provide identification with their valid passport(s) and one other form of government-issued identification (e.g. driver’s license or ID card) at this interview. Lawful permanent residents of Brazil will also be required to present their permanent resident card.
If approved, membership will be valid for five (5) years and renewable online through the TTP website.
It is important to note that membership in the Global Entry program does not change any visa requirements for these travelers. Currently, all Brazilians need a visa to visit and enter the United States unless they are tourists holding an eligible dual nationality (and enter using their non-Brazilian passport).
In addition, Global Entry members who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. lawful permanent residents must maintain updated visa information with CBP. If a Global Entry member obtains a new visa, or obtains a new passport, the member must make an in-person notification to CBP at a Global Entry enrollment center. If the visa information is incomplete or not properly updated with CBP, the Global Entry kiosk may incorrectly calculate the member’s class of admission and admission date.
Newland Chase Insights
Approved Brazilian Global Entry members will enjoy faster entry processing when arriving in the United States, which will be especially beneficial for Brazilian tourists and business travelers who frequently travel to the United States.
However, as mentioned above, holding membership in the Global Entry program does not remove the requirement for Brazilian citizens to hold a valid U.S. visa prior to entering the country. This remains a significant challenge for new applicants as visa appointment wait times at U.S. Consulates throughout Brazil remain extremely high (in some locations wait times have reached nearly 300 days).
As always, don’t hesitate to reach out to your Newland Chase dedicated contact or submit an inquiry here should you have any specific questions regarding this announcement.
