Practical Travel Safety Issues - Israel Joins Global Entry

Israel Joins US's Global Entry Program - YNet (http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-4230454,00.html)

According to the article, Israel will allow expedited entry to Global Entry members. What does this mean exactly? As a GE member, I will be able to bypass the interview at passport control when entering/leaving Israel?

Are there other countries with similar benefits?

As a GE member, I will be able to bypass the interview at passport control when entering/leaving Israel?

Yes, but you can't skip the security interview.

Are there other countries with similar benefits?

Yes; Korea and Amsterdam.

Yes, but you can't skip the security interview.



Yes; Korea and Amsterdam.

I think you mean Netherlands.

BTW, you may have to apply separately for the Israeli equivalent of Global Entry--that is true for Korea and the Netherlands as well.

Yes, but you can't skip the security interview.

That I figured.

BTW, you may have to apply separately for the Israeli equivalent of Global Entry--that is true for Korea and the Netherlands as well.

Wouldn't I need to be an Israeli citizen to do that? (Not a problem for me, but definitely a problem for most GE members)

I think you mean Netherlands.

Yes.

BTW, you may have to apply separately for the Israeli equivalent of Global Entry--that is true for Korea and the Netherlands as well.

Right, but you have to add it as a "FLUX" nation using your GOES account.

Wouldn't I need to be an Israeli citizen to do that?

No; that's the whole point of extending the benefits on reciprocity.

No; that's the whole point of extending the benefits on reciprocity.
So on my end, what exactly do I have to do? I only see the FLUX option for Privium in Amsterdam

So on my end, what exactly do I have to do? I only see the FLUX option for Privium in Amsterdam

You should also see an option for Korea SES.

The GE-Israeli agreement was just signed and has not yet been implimented, so the option isn't there yet.

You should also see an option for Korea SES.

The GE-Israeli agreement was just signed and has not yet been implimented, so the option isn't there yet.
I know the Israeli option shouldn't be there, but not seeing anything for Korea. Searching "Global Entry Flux" pulls up only Dutch options. Searching "Global Entry Flux Korea" pulls up no official GOES sites.

I think you mean Netherlands.

BTW, you may have to apply separately for the Israeli equivalent of Global Entry--that is true for Korea and the Netherlands as well. I am a GOES member and just checked the cost to register for the basic PRIVIUM (Netherlands add-on to Global Entry status for US Citizens) and cost is about US$170. I will be in Amsterdam in a few months and can schedule an appointment with the Dutch Border Police but wondering if anyone who has PRIVIUM status feels that it was worth the cost.

Thanks!

I am a GOES member and just checked the cost to register for the basic PRIVIUM (Netherlands add-on to Global Entry status for US Citizens) and cost is about US$170. I will be in Amsterdam in a few months and can schedule an appointment with the Dutch Border Police but wondering if anyone who has PRIVIUM status feels that it was worth the cost.

Thanks!

I looked into it and did not feel it was worth the cost. I used to fly into AMS more often when I lived in the Maastricht/Aachen area though I still fly there a handful of times a year but I never really have a long wait or questions from the authorities (granted I have an EU passport also now). Once in the last few years have I really had to wait and even that was only a 10 minutes max.

If it was a Schengen wide system I could see more value in it.

As an aside I actually had a German authority complain to me in private meeting that they felt the Dutch negotiation on this was a violation of EU policy. It was an interesting conversation.

Global Entry is outstanding though.

I know the Israeli option shouldn't be there, but not seeing anything for Korea. Searching "Global Entry Flux" pulls up only Dutch options. Searching "Global Entry Flux Korea" pulls up no official GOES sites.

I saw it only when I logged into my account. You may have to click on the button to update information or something.

As an aside I actually had a German authority complain to me in private meeting that they felt the Dutch negotiation on this was a violation of EU policy. It was an interesting conversation.

What was the gist of the argument? That expedited entry is something only the EU can offer as a whole to foreigners?

I thought Germany was in negotiations with the US to have Global Entry reciprocity.

What was the gist of the argument? That expedited entry is something only the EU can offer as a whole to foreigners?

I thought Germany was in negotiations with the US to have Global Entry reciprocity.

I have heard that as well (about Germany entering) however in this particular conversation, in the particular multi-national environment it took place in, they claim all such negotiations must come at the EU level not individual countries.
I am not saying they were correct but more than one German and a Belgian noted they thought it was bad. Just passing on as colourful story (Europe is far from "United" on some of these topics).

Australia has been in negotiations about a reciprocal arrangement allowing US passport holders to use SmartGate and Australians to use GlobalEntry. It was most recently raised when Napolitano was out here for talks.
I'd really like this to be brought in, rather than depending on the mood of the CBP officer you strike at immigration.

I have heard that as well (about Germany entering) however in this particular conversation, in the particular multi-national environment it took place in, they claim all such negotiations must come at the EU level not individual countries.

Without knowing all the ins and outs of EU law, I can see the point--Netherlands is offering expedited entry not only into the Netherlands but all of the EU, and thus is providing an advantage to those entering through the Netherlands, which, it happens, are Dutch citizens and perhaps some from certain other countries. But it seems to me if that's the issue then Privium as a whole is suspect for the same reason.

As a dual Israeli-American citizen, living in Israel, I can't see how this will help me.

Upon entering/leaving Israel I just use a biometric card which has been free to all Israelis for at least a decade (and which can be given to you at the airport in less than 5 minutes).

Upon entering the US I am required by law to use my American passport and I don't know if I will be able to register, in Israel, for GE with my American passport as the basis.

I could only see this as being useful to me if a number of European nations accepted it, but as it stands now that is not the case.

Upon entering the US I am required by law to use my American passport and I don't know if I will be able to register, in Israel, for GE with my American passport as the basis.



You should be able to. The challenge will be scheduling an interview when you are in the US, which may or may not be easy if you visit frequently.

You should be able to. The challenge will be scheduling an interview when you are in the US, which may or may not be easy if you visit frequently.

That has been a problem for a while. I am hoping (against hope) that I will be able to register my American passport here in Israel.

That has been a problem for a while. I am hoping (against hope) that I will be able to register my American passport here in Israel.
The interview for Global Entry has to take place at a CBP office in the States

The interview for Global Entry has to take place at a CBP office in the States

Well, they list a few places outside the US--3 in Canada and 1 in Doha, Qatar (!).

Anyway, it really shouldn't be a problem assuming visits to the US are predictable. Yes, it means one more line in immigration, but once approved one need only schedule an appointment and then change it as much as you want until it aligns with a visit to the US

Well, they list a few places outside the US--3 in Canada and 1 in Doha, Qatar (!).

Anyway, it really shouldn't be a problem assuming visits to the US are predictable. Yes, it means one more line in immigration, but once approved one need only schedule an appointment and then change it as much as you want until it aligns with a visit to the US
I forgot about the Canadian places, which were there originally for NEXUS I believe. But Doha? Seriously?!

I forgot about the Canadian places, which were there originally for NEXUS I believe. But Doha? Seriously?!

Beats me - I just looked, and could have scheduled an interview there on May 28. Only a couple of hours were available.

But Doha? Seriously?!

Yeah, Doha. Seriously! It was just in the local newspaper:
http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=515828&version=1&template_id=36

From this article, it looks like it took about a year to come about:

http://www.gsnmagazine.com/article/23454/cbp_qatar_collaborate_secure_travel_initiatives

I haven't seen any announcements about a reciprocal agreement but you can pay for the Al Maha Meet 'n Greet service which helps streamline customs and immigration.

So can a Qatari with Global Entry get streamlined entry to Israel?:)