Landmark Decision Grants Some Australians Easier U.S. Access

Based on several factors, some Australian airline travelers will soon be able to apply for expedited access through United States customs and immigration. Beginning January 2025, the Global Entry Program will allow pre-authorized Australians to access faster immigration and custom channels at major U.S. airports. Global entry holders will also get access to the Transportation Security Administration’s Pre-Check program which gives expedited screening processes for U.S. domestic flights. Currently, citizens of 15 countries, including the United Kingdom, Singapore and South Korea have access to the programs. The decision is made by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which operates under the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Penny Wong, Australia’s Foreign Minister, issued a statement reading: Joining the Global Entry Program is a mark of the closeness and the strength of the relationship between our two countries.

The first phase of the program will allow 1,000 Australians who are considered frequent travelers – those who have traveled to the U.S. at least five times over the past year – to access the program for free. An unlimited number of quick entries will be granted under the program’s second phase, which requires the Australian Federal Parliament to pass legislation. Current U.S. fees for the Global Entry Program are $100 and $77.95 for the TSA Pre-Check program. Applicants must undergo a background check and in-person interview.

Charlene Leiss, President of the Americas, Flight Centre Travel Group, says, “It’s tremendous news that Australian corporate travelers will soon have the opportunity to join the U.S. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck programs, an important milestone that will provide business travelers in Australia with access to expedited customs and security clearances at airports across the United States. Travel between the two countries is critical to economic success, as over 12,000 Australian companies export to the U.S. With nearly $118 billion in goods and services traded each year, the U.S. serves as Australia’s largest economic partner. This landmark decision will now help to make travel more convenient for Australians and further strengthen business ties between the U.S. and Australia.”

Australian travelers who are approved for Global Entry Status are eligible to stand in a designated line upon arrival at U.S. airports enabling them to clear customs quickly. As opposed to waiting to speak to an official, these travelers can simply scan their passports at a kiosk. No paperwork is required. Global Entry Status also allows access to TSA Pre-Check, providing access to faster security lines while traveling on domestic flights within the U.S. As an added benefit travelers won’t have to take off their shoes or remove electronic devices from their bags. As of 2024, Global Entry is available at over 80 airports in the United States. TSA PreCheck is available at more than 200 airports across the United States.

There had previously been discussions about enhancing travel efficiency and border security between Australia and the U.S. Australia had reportedly tried to join the Global Entry program a few years ago, but the process was stalled, in part, by the pandemic in 2020. The formalization of participation in these programs can be a lengthy process due to diplomatic discussions, security protocols, administrative processes and more.

Leiss adds, “It’s another welcome sign for the approximately 1.3 million Australians that visit the U.S. annually that have already benefited from the number of new, direct routes that have recently opened up between the two countries. According to our flagship business travel divisions, FCM Travel and Corporate Traveler, we have been seeing an increase in flights from Australia to the U.S., with Los Angeles serving as the number one destination for Australian business travelers, followed by New York, Las Vegas, San Francisco and Boston. With quicker and easier access to travel, corporate travelers in Australia will be able to leverage trips to the U.S. to continue to create stronger overseas business relationships, unlock new growth opportunities and expand their international footprint.”

Flight Centre Travel Group is one of the world’s largest travel groups with a vast network of company-owned leisure and corporate travel businesses that extends throughout four major regions across the globe: Australia and New Zealand, the Americas, EMEA and Asia. In the United States, FCTG is a recognized leader in the business travel space. Its corporate division includes flagship brands FCM and Corporate Traveler.