Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. This is the program that the Costa Rican-American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) is trying to implement for Costa Rican tourists when they travel to the United States.

Costa Rican tourists experience first-hand the long lines in migration at most of the major airports in the U.S.A.

“People that have traveled to the United States have seen there are special lines for Global Entry. We are promoting this program which would make the entry of Costa Ricans to the US easier and the other way around, the entry of Americans to Costa Rica”, mentioned the AMCHAM Vice-President, Elías Soley in an interview with local radio show Nuestra Voz.

Currently, citizens from Argentina, Mexico, Panama and Colombia, among others have this advantage.

“Travelers must be pre-approved for the Global Entry program. All applicants undergo a rigorous background check and in-person interview before enrollment”, explains the Customs and Border Protection website.

AMCHAM is also promoting the TSA Pre (Transportation Security Administration) which is a pre inspection process that allows passengers that are part of trust traveler programs of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to get through the security inspection points in a fast and efficient way, this program requires to fill up an application, go in for an appointment which includes backgrounds check and fingerprinting and paying a membership; members of the TSA Pre can speed through security and don’t need to remove shoes, belts, laptops, liquids, etc. in 200 airports and 37 airlines in the US.

Making these programs available for Costa Ricans will be a great help for those that due to business or personal matters need to travel frequently between the two countries.