The CBP has announced that the Global Entry trusted traveler pilot program has reached the 100,000 member milestone.

Global Entry is a voluntary pilot program that streamlines the international arrivals process for pre-approved travelers through use of self service kiosks located at 20 major U.S. airports. The pilot program is an alternative to regular passport processing lines and currently reduces average wait times by 70 percent. To date, Global Entry members have used the kiosks more than 600,000 times.

"Global Entry is an excellent example of our efforts to securely facilitate international travel by expediting trusted travelers," said CBP Commissioner Alan Bersin. "We set a milestone to reach 100,000 members before the end of the year, and I'm very proud that we have reached that goal and increased the program's membership by approximately 300 percent over the last year."

Global Entry is available to U.S. citizens and U.S lawful permanent residents who are able to pass an intensive background check. Citizens of the Netherlands may also apply under a special reciprocal arrangement that links Global Entry with the Privium program in Amsterdam.

Applications to Global Entry must first be submitted online. A fee of $100 is also collected via the website for a five year membership. Applicants must then complete an interview and fingerprint data collection in person at any of the 20 airport sites.

Once enrolled in the pilot program, Global Entry members may proceed directly to the kiosks in the international arrivals area upon arrival in the U.S. At the kiosk, members insert their passport or lawful permanent resident card into a document reader, provide digital fingerprints for comparison with fingerprints on file, answer customs declaration questions on the kiosk's touch-screen, and then present a transaction receipt to CBP officers before leaving the inspection area.

FMI: www.cbp.gov/travel, www.globalentry.gov