Big change for Aussies heading to the US

If you hold an Australian passport and have plans to visit the US, you will want to know about this huge change.

At the end of this month, 1000 Aussie travellers will be the first to skip lines at US airports, fast-tracking them through immigration and customs.

It’s part of the “Phase 1” trial of the Global Entry program that Australia is now a part of, which sees pre-approved and low-risk travellers bypass lengthy processing lines and paperwork upon travel into the US.

Instead, they can now use a self-service passport kiosk.

Currently, Aussies must apply for US travel authorisation online and pay a fee of $US21 ($A34).

The Global Entry program is more expensive, costing $US120, around $A195 – but it’s valid for five years.

Intrepid Travel managing director for Australia and NZ Brett Mitchell said he foresees the program resulting in an uplift in bookings to the US.

At the end of January, 1000 Aussie travellers will be the first to skip lines at US airports, fast-tracking them through immigration and customs.

“At Intrepid Travel, we’ve previously seen an increase in bookings to destinations where entry is made easier for travellers,” Mr Mitchell told news.com.au.

“It’s something we saw following changes to entry across Mongolia and China, so we anticipate the introduction of the US Global Entry program will result in a similar uplift in bookings.

“Not only do these changes encourage ease of entry, but they can ultimately make travellers feel more welcomed to a destination.”

He said for Australian travellers heading to the US at the end of January, the program is expected to streamline the travel journey by allowing expedited customs and immigration clearance, minimising airport wait times.

It’s part of the ‘Phase 1’ trial of the Global Entry program that Australia is now a part of which sees pre-approved and low-risk travellers bypass lengthy processing lines. Picture: Daniel Slim/AFP

“This enhancement will likely encourage even more Aussies to explore the US and help them travel with greater ease,” Mr Mitchell said.

The Global Entry Program is designed for travellers who make four or more trips a year to the US, with the processing time for an application exceeding 90 days.

“A full background check will be completed to ensure our potential members qualify for expedited processing into the United States,” the official website of the Department of Homeland Security states.

The Global Entry Program is designed for travellers who make four or more trips a year to the US and costs $US120 – around $A195. Picture: Daniel Slim/ AFP

The commitment was originally minted at a meeting between outgoing US president Joe Biden and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in 2023, however has been touted since 2018 before it was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.

“Joining Global Entry is good for our citizens, it is good for Australian businesses, it is good for our friendship,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong said at the signing ceremony last year.

“The US-Australia relationship is unprecedented in scale, scope and significance but underpinned above all else by the links and bonds between our people.

“And this program and our participation in it is a sign of our closeness and our trust.”

Flight Centre Travel Group Global Corporate chief operating officer Melissa Elf said the access will speed up customs and security clearances at American airports for Aussie travellers, especially for the more than 12,000 Australian companies that export to the United States.

“The air bridge between Australia and the United States is critical for business travel, imports, and exports – with the countries conducting in $US77 billion ($A120b) worth of two-way trade, with the investment relationship valued at $US1.6 trillion ($A2.6t), making the United States Australia’s largest economic partner,” Ms Elf previously said.

The US Global Entry program also includes the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Pre-Check program for expedited screening for domestic flights that otherwise costs $US80 – $A130.