Immigration Systems
For a faster and more efficient entry into the United States, Panama becomes first Central American country to join US Global Entry Program
On November 18, 2013, Panama became the fourth country selected to enter the Global Entry Program providing passengers a faster, more efficient and safer entry process into the United States.
Biometric Enhancements recently completed the Global Entry System in order for Panama Citizens to apply for Global Entry. We developed the Panama side of the application and set up links with CBP. Biometric Enhancements set up kiosks for entry into Panama for members. For the vetting process for Panama applicants, we had to get all entities involved in an interdepartmental treaty to share and approve applicants.
Panama's entry to this program was official this Monday, November 18th, in an act held at the Presidency´s Amphitheater, where President Ricardo Martinelli became the first Panamanian to accede the Global Entry Program. There he mentioned this program would benefit tourism and the relation between both countries, since “Panama and the United States are strategic partners and it is a great satisfaction to now have this program in our country”.
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“I feel honored Panama is one of the countries benefited with this program that reinforces the relationship between both countries.” Likewise, he mentioned that Panama would continue to cooperate in important areas, such as the fight against drug trafficking and money laundering.
This program allows Panamanians to enter the United States through automated migratory means, while United States citizens will have the opportunity to do the same in Panama with the program “Panama Global Pass” starting in 2014, explained President Martinelli.
On his part, the Secretary of Security, José Raúl Mulino, mentioned Panama´s entry into this program recognizes the good cooperation relations existing between Panama and the United States. He added that with this program, Panamanians will have access to more than 26 airports in the United States.
On the other hand, the Ambassador of the United States in Panama, Jonathan Farrar said Panama and the United States have a very important economic relation and for this relation to keep growing, mechanisms must be found, and thus, this program will make Panamanian entrance into the United States faster.
North American citizens interested in entering must have US citizenship; meanwhile, Panamanians must have Panamanian citizenship and have a valid US visa. The traveller entering the program will have the ease of registering their entry to the country in electronic kiosks strategically located for affiliates and no longer have to go to the usual control posts.
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Costa Rica may be the United States’ largest trading partner in Central America, but Panama is the first country on the isthmus to receive elite membership into the U.S.’ Global Entry Program. The program allows pre-approved travelers from certain countries to skip immigration lines upon arrival in the U.S.
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Panama’s President Ricardo Martinelli signed an agreement to expedite travel between the U.S. and Panama and to share criminal and other information.
In the Americas, only Mexico and Canada are part of the Global Entry Program, and Mexicans are the largest group of members, with 36,000 enrolled.
Other participating countries are the Netherlands, Germany, the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia, Qatar and South Korea. Almost 2 million travelers currently are enrolled in the program.
After paying a $100 application fee and providing individual background information, travelers can use automated kiosks at designated airports to bypass regular passport control queues. According to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, Global Entry travelers pass immigration controls in less than one minute.
When the Global Entry Program starts operating for Panamanians in January, Martinelli wants to become the first in his country to enroll.
In addition to Global Entry, Mexican and Canadian travelers also benefit from faster immigration checks at U.S. border crossings on land through the NEXUS and SENTRI programs.
After revelations of U.S. government spying by the National Security Agency, some countries have backed out on plans to share their criminal records and other information, a Department of Homeland Security official said. However, the Global Entry Program involves only the sharing of information between law enforcement agencies, the official added.
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Travelers from all countries in Latin America are required to apply for a tourist or business visa prior to entry in the U.S. In 2011, Brazil initiated talks for a visa waiver program, but they have been unable to meet the program’s requirements.
The U.S. is evaluating whether to add Chile to a list of 37 countries already belonging to the visa waiver program. A participating country must share security-related data with the U.S. and have a visitor-visa refusal rate of less than three percent, among other requirements. No country in Latin America currently meets those requirements.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.
How many other countries are in Global Entry? Which ones in Latin America?
Panamá is the second country in Latin America to participate in Global Entry. Other participating countries include: Canada, Mexico, Netherlands and South Korea
06/19/2014 - In the Tocumen International Airport was inaugurated today, Thursday, the "Global Pass" migration program.
According to the authorities, this program is intended to facilitate the transit of U.S. and Panamanian while traveling between the U.S. and Panama.
The inauguration was attended by President of the Republic, Ricardo Martinelli and U.S. ambassador in Panama, Jonathan Farrar.
Martinelli said that this project will help increase tourism in Panama.
http://panama.usembassy.gov/geqaeng.html
Contact
Contact Biometric Enhancements to learn more about immigration systems and SPEED IMMIGRATION (Invisible Immigration) with walk-up kiosks.
San Diego Corporate Office
office +1 858-437-0000
cell +1 858-949-7879
Email
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TERRITORIES: Latin America
AGENCIES: CBP (Customs Border Patrol)