US Global Entry is open to Dominican travelers

[Dolores]

On 30 September 2022, the US Customs and Border Protection Agency (CBP) and the Ministry of Foreign Relations (Mirex) had agreed to start negotiations to include the Dominican Republic in the US Global Entry foreign partner countries. Less than a year was to pass, when on 14 August 2023, the US government announced the enactment of the Global Entry facility for Dominican citizens.

Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.

At the airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or US permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues the traveler...

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[chico bill]

Few will take advantage of this program because it costs money

 

[SKY]

Few will take advantage of this program because it costs money

And you need to go for an interview..............

 

[chico bill]

And you need to go for an interview..............

They waived interviews during Covid. I don't know if they reinstated that step ?

 

[SKY]

They waived interviews during Covid. I don't know if they reinstated that step ?

Still necessary, but you can do it at on arrival, not scheduled. Info below..........

Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival

Securing America's Borders

www.cbp.gov

 

[william webster]

Few will take advantage of this program because it costs money

Right , they don’t want to waste gas on their Range Rover

Nonsense because it costs money
Many will have more more money than you or I do

They spend that on a steak dinner 🥘

 

[playacaribe2]

They waived interviews during Covid. I don't know if they reinstated that step ?

In person interviews were only waived for renewals. During Covid they were done using video teleconferencing.

Now if the DR really wants to crow about something, they would get their act together and finally receive US Pre-clearance approval at PUJ.

That has been delayed for several years due in large part to the many security protocol breaches at the airport.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

I think that as long as CPB continues to classify the DR as a "drug source country" Global entry between the USA and the DR will be an oxymoron.

 

[playacaribe2]

I think that as long as CPB continues to classify the DR as a "drug source country" Global entry between the USA and the DR will be an oxymoron.

While I do not necessarily disagree, it should be noted that both Aruba and The Bahamas are classified as drug source countries..........and both have pre-clearance.

The DR issue is more nuanced focusing solely on the PUJ airport facility and its apparent lack of security controls......not the country itself.......which is certainly identifiable as a drug source country.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[william webster]

There goes that theory!!!

 

[JD Jones]

In person interviews were only waived for renewals. During Covid they were done using video teleconferencing.

Now if the DR really wants to crow about something, they would get their act together and finally receive US Pre-clearance approval at PUJ.

That has been delayed for several years due in large part to the many security protocol breaches at the airport.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

That's news to me, I've done renewals online without an interview.

 

[NALs]

The United States is not the one stalling the pre-clearance in Punta Cana as everything is set up on that part for years, rather the Dominican government is the one that has stalled that. Everything depends on a decision in the Supreme Court which would create an exception as the Dominican constitution prohibits personnel of foreign governments being stationed in the DR (excluding those of embassies and consulates). Everything hinges on that, the DR would be ceding a tiny part of sovereignity to the USA by allowing them in any of the airports of the country and the DR doesn't want to do that.

Nothing is impossible, but chances are very slim this will be allowed. Better focus on other things like Global Entry, which itself normally takes a long time to approcve completely, yet this time it was done in less than a year.

 

[JD Jones]

The United States is not the one stalling the pre-clearance in Punta Cana as everything is set up on that part for years, rather the Dominican government is the one that has stalled that. Everything depends on a decision in the Supreme Court which would create an exception as the Dominican constitution prohibits personnel of foreign governments being stationed in the DR (excluding those of embassies and consulates). Everything hinges on that, the DR would be ceding a tiny part of sovereignity to the USA by allowing them in any of the airports of the country and the DR doesn't want to do that.

Nothing is impossible, but chances are very slim this will be allowed. Better focus on other things like Global Entry, which itself normally takes a long time to approcve completely, yet this time it was done in less than a year.

One would think that as pro-tourism as the DR Govt. is, they would jump on the chance.

 

[keepcoming]

The approval of Global Entry for Dominican visa holders is good, but I doubt many will bother to apply. As Nals posted, I also doubt that pre-clearance will be approved any time soon if at all.

 

[Cdn_Gringo]

Bestowing sovereignty of the pre-clearance area in the airport to the US is a big deal with this Govt and many others around the world. The US demands to ability to arm its agents, arrest/detain anyone they choose and a few other conditions that many citizens feel to be objectionable on a national identity level.

It's a big ask for the sake of local US customs/immigration clearance that can just as easily be done at a US airport.

 

[SKY]

Bestowing sovereignty of the pre-clearance area in the airport to the US is a big deal with this Govt and many others around the world. The US demands to ability to arm its agents, arrest/detain anyone they choose and a few other conditions that many citizens feel to be objectionable on a national identity level.

It's a big ask for the sake of local US customs/immigration clearance that can just as easily be done at a US airport.

Fortunately the Dominican Republic does not kiss the US rear end. That is the reason it is not here yet. Not the rhetoric posted here.................

 

[playacaribe2]

That's news to me, I've done renewals online without an interview.

Renewals may or may not require an interview..............CBP discretion. But, my reference above was to the initial interview once conditionally approved (first time).

I too have not needed an interview for my renewal.


Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[playacaribe2]

Fortunately the Dominican Republic does not kiss the US rear end. That is the reason it is not here yet. Not the rhetoric posted here.................

The DR requested pre-clearance and then approved the US pre-clearance conditions in 2016. Not the other way around. It was supposed to be put into place in 2017. It is the US side that has continued to balk...........for many well known reasons and probably some unknown ones as well.

I met the agent in charge of the vetting process several years ago.............and that was her answer as to why it had not yet been implemented...............



Respectfully,
Playacaribe2

 

[Lucifer]

"There are rumors on the Internets" that many Dominicans are under the impression that Global Entry means "free for all":

No visa required. Come one; come all.

 

[NALs]

One would think that as pro-tourism as the DR Govt. is, they would jump on the chance.

Sections of the government is (especially the Ministry of Tourism), but the judges in the Constitutional Tribunal in the SC are not. They discount the tourism benefit and focus on the other aspects of pre-clearance which in is related to avoid another terrorism attack in the USA. Nothing can be done if the Supreme Court don't approve.