Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Destinations > Asia > India
Reload this Page >

India joins US Global Entry programme.

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Feb 2, 2019, 9:22 am
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
Last edit by: TWA884
Please check out the parallel thread in the Travel Safety/Security Trusted Travelers forum:

Global Entry for Citizens of India
Print Wikipost

India joins US Global Entry programme.

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 5, 2019 | 3:05 am
  #571  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
Originally Posted by Acid
Yup - had read about it before. I was surprised it worked even when I had not updated my visa with GE (the old stamp was cancelled).
i just updated my new details online & didn't have to stop by the enrollment desk....ge worked fine, just like it did before....
Keyser is offline  
Old Dec 5, 2019 | 3:30 am
  #572  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,421
Originally Posted by Keyser
i just updated my new details online & didn't have to stop by the enrollment desk....ge worked fine, just like it did before....
If i'm not mistaken, you have a B1/B2 visa correct? When I logged into ttp/ge - there was no way to update visa or H1B petition details. Only passport can be updated.
Acid is offline  
Old Dec 5, 2019 | 3:33 am
  #573  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
Originally Posted by Acid
If i'm not mistaken, you have a B1/B2 visa correct? When I logged into ttp/ge - there was no way to update visa or H1B petition details. Only passport can be updated.
they probably have your new details in the system somehow....i guess it doesn't matter as long as it works....
Keyser is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2020 | 4:13 pm
  #574  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Acid
Quick update - I landed last night and used the GE kiosk as there was a 1 hour+ wait otherwise. The kiosk didn't ask for any scan. It took my pic and found my details and the dates were correct as per my latest petition. Once I was out, I then stopped by the GE enrollment desk to update my visa for future just to be safe as there was no wait there.
You mentioned earlier about updating GE with new I-797. Did you do before departing US at an enrollment center? Visa can't be updated (at least for H1B) online, only passport can be.

I've similar situation for my wife. She will get new stamp done for a new petition on a new passport (passport has been updated on GE already). I was wondering if we can just use EOA to new visa updated. But, if just updating I-797 at center works for GE then I'd rather do now to skip extra work on arrival. EWR is just few minutes away.
obelix1 is offline  
Old Jan 24, 2020 | 7:21 pm
  #575  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,421
Originally Posted by obelix1
You mentioned earlier about updating GE with new I-797. Did you do before departing US at an enrollment center? Visa can't be updated (at least for H1B) online, only passport can be.

I've similar situation for my wife. She will get new stamp done for a new petition on a new passport (passport has been updated on GE already). I was wondering if we can just use EOA to new visa updated. But, if just updating I-797 at center works for GE then I'd rather do now to skip extra work on arrival. EWR is just few minutes away.
Here is my timeline
1) New I-797 received in Sep 2019 valid till 2023. Visa stamp and old I- 797 was valid till Feb 2020

2) I traveled abroad in Oct 2019 and on my return at JFK I went to the regular line as I was sure that GE Kiosk would give me an incorrect I94. I got a new I-94 till Oct 2022(3 years which is the max they can give) and after immigration and before baggage claim there was a separate desk to update Global Entry.

3) I traveled abroad again in Nov/Dec and this time got a new stamp. I was going to use normal line at EWR(terminal B) but it was super long - so I risked with GE and it gave me the correct I-94 date. It was the new facial recognition machine, so I didn't have to scan my visa/passport. Once I got my receipt, I went to the first counter which was dedicated for anyone with GE issues/updates. Agent asked me for PASS ID/Know Traveler number as he could not look it up by passport number and updated the record.


At EWR(terminal B) there is a separate counter where you can update I-797 and visa on arrival. I would avoid an extra trip to EWR.
Acid is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2020 | 12:23 pm
  #576  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Acid
Here is my timeline
1) New I-797 received in Sep 2019 valid till 2023. Visa stamp and old I- 797 was valid till Feb 2020

2) I traveled abroad in Oct 2019 and on my return at JFK I went to the regular line as I was sure that GE Kiosk would give me an incorrect I94. I got a new I-94 till Oct 2022(3 years which is the max they can give) and after immigration and before baggage claim there was a separate desk to update Global Entry.

3) I traveled abroad again in Nov/Dec and this time got a new stamp. I was going to use normal line at EWR(terminal B) but it was super long - so I risked with GE and it gave me the correct I-94 date. It was the new facial recognition machine, so I didn't have to scan my visa/passport. Once I got my receipt, I went to the first counter which was dedicated for anyone with GE issues/updates. Agent asked me for PASS ID/Know Traveler number as he could not look it up by passport number and updated the record.


At EWR(terminal B) there is a separate counter where you can update I-797 and visa on arrival. I would avoid an extra trip to EWR.
Thank you, much appreciated. Looks like the updating latest I-797 in Oct did the trick. But, everything gets linked to passport anyway so it's possible systems already had latest info. Anyway, I'd rather not to do anything now. We will be traveling via JFK this time and we always have to see officer after the kiosk scan due to kids (there is an office just next to kiosk). Kids don't get biometric done till age of 5 so it needs to be approved by officer. I guess we will use the opportunity to get her visa/I-797 updated as well.

I did inquire with CBP but they gave standard vanilla answer that we have to visit center to get this update which we can't do till she has the visa. Will post how it goes.
obelix1 is offline  
Old Jan 25, 2020 | 3:38 pm
  #577  
All eyes on you!
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: NYC
Programs: BA Gold, HH Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 1,421
Originally Posted by obelix1
Thank you, much appreciated. Looks like the updating latest I-797 in Oct did the trick. But, everything gets linked to passport anyway so it's possible systems already had latest info. Anyway, I'd rather not to do anything now. We will be traveling via JFK this time and we always have to see officer after the kiosk scan due to kids (there is an office just next to kiosk). Kids don't get biometric done till age of 5 so it needs to be approved by officer. I guess we will use the opportunity to get her visa/I-797 updated as well.

I did inquire with CBP but they gave standard vanilla answer that we have to visit center to get this update which we can't do till she has the visa. Will post how it goes.
It was confusing at JFK-T7. When I asked the primary inspector that I want to go to EOA he just sent me to secondary inspection. There I sat for a while and finally the secondary agent called the the agent who processed me to ask why I was refereed as he could find no issue/notes. Secondary inspection agent apologized and then took he to a cubicle where another agent updated my I-797(at first he told me it can be done online as he has never done it and I told him it wasn't possible - he was friendly and said lets try)
Acid is offline  
Old Jan 26, 2020 | 5:21 pm
  #578  
 
Join Date: Jul 2017
Posts: 26
Originally Posted by Acid
It was confusing at JFK-T7. When I asked the primary inspector that I want to go to EOA he just sent me to secondary inspection. There I sat for a while and finally the secondary agent called the the agent who processed me to ask why I was refereed as he could find no issue/notes. Secondary inspection agent apologized and then took he to a cubicle where another agent updated my I-797(at first he told me it can be done online as he has never done it and I told him it wasn't possible - he was friendly and said lets try)
I've only been through T4 after having GE 2yrs ago. It has been pretty smooth always. I think it's mostly Indian national who will have visa dependent GE. Most of the participants of other countries will have ESTA linked so mostly passport dependent. It will take sometime before updates becomes smoother for us.

Hopefully, a simple visa issuance automatically gets linked to GE through passport as it's all connected anyway.
obelix1 is offline  
Old Dec 3, 2022 | 11:51 pm
  #579  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
Originally Posted by xobile
One more thing, if you can, can you ask him about any plans for a trusted traveler program for India, to allow expedited immigration into the country/emigration out of it, and speedier security checks? Would be beneficial for both passengers and airports. Haven't experienced DigiYatra so I'm unsure how that works or its eligibility.
I've already had this discussion with him. Sort of a Global Entry type system for India. He said there were no plans in place for something like that.
Keyser is offline  
Old Dec 7, 2022 | 12:21 am
  #580  
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 976
Originally Posted by Keyser
I've already had this discussion with him. Sort of a Global Entry type system for India. He said there were no plans in place for something like that.
Unfortunate! It would allow Immigration officials to focus their limited manpower/resources on customers they don't know or have many details on, would allow for more automation (could not be preferred in India as it is in the west) and use facial recognition, etc. Hopefully whenever DigiYatra comes up and is more commonplace, it'll eventually extend to immigration.
xobile is offline  
Old Dec 7, 2022 | 12:25 am
  #581  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
Originally Posted by xobile
Unfortunate! It would allow Immigration officials to focus their limited manpower/resources on customers they don't know or have many details on, would allow for more automation (could not be preferred in India as it is in the west) and use facial recognition, etc. Hopefully whenever DigiYatra comes up and is more commonplace, it'll eventually extend to immigration.
Hopefully at some point in the future. As more countries adopt similar programs, India will soon follow.
xobile likes this.
Keyser is offline  
Old Dec 7, 2022 | 1:47 am
  #582  
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
30 Countries Visited
2M
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 52,734
Way back when the US offered GE to foreigners the precondition was that the reciprocating country had to offer a similar fast track to their citizens. It would be interesting what India promised back then...
oliver2002 is offline  
Old Dec 7, 2022 | 11:56 am
  #583  
All eyes on you!
10 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Jun 2014
Programs: EY
Posts: 976
Originally Posted by oliver2002
Way back when the US offered GE to foreigners the precondition was that the reciprocating country had to offer a similar fast track to their citizens. It would be interesting what India promised back then...
Precisely. I seem to recall that when the US first announced India would join GE back in an Obama/Singh joint declaration in October 2013, that there was talk of the US assisting India in setting up such a system. Unfortunately I couldn't find that exact wording now, so perhaps it was just in my imagination that India had agreed to set up its own system. India's participation in the GE program is still hampered by India's insistence on doing another check before someone is approved on India's side for GE (500 rupees for a 13 agency check that can take months if not years--far more stringent than the simple police verification needed to emigrate to the US).
xobile is offline  
Old Mar 12, 2023 | 4:55 am
  #584  
5 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 50
Hello,
I got approved for GE in 2018 and have been using it for the past 5 years with no problems. My GE is up for renewal this year and is valid until March 2024.

1) Has any Indian citizen on a visa renewed GE?
2) Do they do background verification again in India and/or USA?
3) How long did it take?

Please share your experience.
siddhuv89 is offline  
Old Mar 13, 2023 | 5:43 am
  #585  
Original Poster
FlyerTalk Evangelist
10 Countries Visited
20 Countries Visited
30 Countries Visited
15 Years on Site
 
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: India
Programs: DL Diamond, Bonvoy Lifetime Titanium, ALL Platinum, IHG Platinum
Posts: 30,703
Originally Posted by siddhuv89
Hello,
I got approved for GE in 2018 and have been using it for the past 5 years with no problems. My GE is up for renewal this year and is valid until March 2024.

1) Has any Indian citizen on a visa renewed GE?
2) Do they do background verification again in India and/or USA?
3) How long did it take?

Please share your experience.
No clue what the process would be for Indian citizens. I got my approval in July 2018 so am up for renewal this year as well. Planning on starting the renewal process in May & will hope for the best.

If I remember correctly, the approvals for Indian citizens started coming in around June-July in 2018 so I don't think anyone has reached the renewal stage yet.
Keyser is offline  


Contact Us - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2026 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.