Starting next year, Australian citizens will gain access to the U.S. Global Entry program, allowing them expedited customs clearance upon arrival in the United States. This development marks a significant enhancement in travel convenience for Australians and strengthens ties between the two nations.
The program is set to initially launch in January 2024 for a select group of Australians who frequently travel to the U.S., according to an announcement by Australia's Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong. Plans are in place to extend eligibility to all Australians interested in applying by 2025.
Acceptance into Global Entry will also grant participants access to expedited screening through the TSA's PreCheck lines, further streamlining the travel process.
"The foundation of the friendship between Australia and United States is the friendship between our people," said Minister Wong in a statement. "This program will deepen these links and make it easier to foster greater commercial ties."
The initiative has been welcomed by business leaders, including Charlene Leiss, President for the Americas at Australia-based Flight Centre Travel Group. Leiss described the inclusion as "tremendous news," highlighting the U.S. as Australia’s largest economic partner, with around $118 billion in goods and services exchanged annually. She emphasized that quicker and easier access to travel will benefit corporate travelers, enabling them to strengthen international business relationships and explore new growth opportunities.
Global Entry is currently available to citizens of 15 countries, including Mexico, the U.K., Germany, South Korea, and Singapore. Australia's inclusion in the program marks a significant milestone, reflecting the strong bilateral relationship and the increasing number of direct flight routes between the two nations.
