Agreement provides ‘low-risk’ Japanese citizens facilitated customs and immigration processing

Japan is now an official Global Entry partner country, according to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). This partnership, according to the CBP, enhances security and promotes bilateral trade, tourism and cultural exchange by allowing pre-vetted, low-risk Japanese citizens to expedite customs and immigration processing upon arrival to the US.

Japanese Global Entry applicants, said the announcement, will undergo the same rigorous and recurring background checks as US applicants, including an in-person interview before initial enrollment, and vetting by Japanese authorities.   

Troy Miller, senior official performing the duties of the commissioner, said the agreement “reflects our shared commitment to facilitating secure and efficient travel while enhancing border security and supporting airport modernization efforts for both nations.”  By offering Global Entry access to Japanese citizens, he said, “we are making safe, secure travel more accessible while fostering stronger diplomatic and economic relations.”  

Rahm Emanuel, US ambassador to Japan, said that “since Japan is our largest foreign direct investor, and Japanese companies employ nearly a million Americans, this agreement to establish Japan as our 18th Global Entry partner country makes good business sense and will enhance our ties and our economies even further.”  

Global Entry is part of CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs. It also provides the benefit of access to TSA PreCheck for eligible members, offering quicker security screening for domestic travelers at participating US airports.   

Additional Global Entry partner countries include Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, Croatia, Dominican Republic, Germany, India, Mexico, Netherlands, Panama, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan, United Arab Emirates and the UK.