Pilot Program To Expedite Entry Into U.S. For Citizen, LPR Travelers

U.S. citizens, nationals, and permanent residents will soon be eligible for a pilot program enabling expedited clearance of pre-approved, low-risk air travelers into the United States, according to a new rule published in the Federal Register.

The International Registered Traveler (IRT) pilot project, a.k.a. Global Entry, is scheduled to start June 10, 2008 at  John F. Kennedy International Airport, Jamaica, New York (JFK); the George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston, Texas (IAH); and the Washington Dulles International Airport, Sterling, Virginia (IAD), and may expand to other locations as announced.

CBP is working with other countries, exploring expansion of the program to include other categories of travelers as well.

Applications to participate in the pilot program should be submitted May 12, 2008, but will be accepted throughout the duration of the pilot program. The pilot program is expected to continue for at least six months. The time frame of the pilot program will vary, depending on the progress of CBP’s evaluation of the program.

The program enables participates to by-pass regular passport control primary inspection lines, using instead automated kiosks to verify identity via fingerprint biometrics technology, explains the Rule.

The procedure will also involve responding to several customs declaration questions by use of a touch-screen.

Upon verification, the traveler will receive a receipt, which, along with his passport and/or permanent resident card, he then gives to the CBP Officer at the exit control area for examination.

The application for the IRT pilot is available on-line through the Global On-Line Enrollment System (GOES).

There is a $100 non-refundable application fee.

CBP has posted a FAQ on its site.

New Rule Simplifies (somewhat) Re-Entry to U.S. for Travelling H-1′s and L’s

Starting today, Nov. 1, H-1 and L non-immigrant visa holders and their dependents who have pending I-485 permanent residency applications and travel abroad no longer need to present the application receipt notice to re-enter the U.S., according to a new rule issued by DHS. 

The new rule applies to visa holders in the following categories: H-1B (specialty occupations), H-1C (nurses in disadvantaged areas), L-1A (intracompany transferee -managers, executives), L-1B (intracompany transferee – specialized knowledge) and their dependents. The notice amending rule 8 CFR 245.2(a)(4)(ii)(C) was printed in today’s Federal Register.

Previously, H-1 and L non-immigrant visa holders who had pending permanent residency applications and traveled outside of the U.S. had to present the original receipt notice at the border to avoid having their applications deemed abandoned. (Generally, applications for adjustment of status under INA 245 are considered abandoned when the applicant leaves the United States unless certain procedures are followed before the trip.)

This requirement presented hardships to those visa holders who needed to travel and had not yet received a receipt notice due to USCIS’ lengthy processing times. These visa holders either had to cancel their trip or risk having their application denied, thereby forcing them to spend more money and time to re-apply.

DHS determined the document was an unnecessary burden to the visa holder because the information is already available in the government’s database.

The visa holder must still establish he or she remains eligible for H or L status, is returning to resume employment with the same, previously authorized employer, and holds a valid visa, if required.

The rule change does not apply to those in removal, exclusion or deportation proceedings.