Q COSTA RICA — On Wednesday, Costa Rica finally entered the United States’ Global Entry program, which expedites the entry of travelers.
The announcement was made by Kristi Noem, United States Secretary of Homeland Security, after meeting with President Rodrigo Chaves at Casa Presidencial in San José.
Noem noted that the plan will benefit a country like Costa Rica, which bases part of its economy on tourism.
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“A few minutes ago, we signed the Global Entry agreement. As you know, your economy depends heavily on tourism. Many Americans come here to relax and enjoy themselves. Global Entry will allow travelers an expedited approach,” Noem said.
Noem indicated that the first Costa Rican to be granted this pass is President Rodrigo Chaves.
“I made the decision that the president will be the new person from Costa Rica to receive Global Entry,” said the U.S. spokesperson.
It is important to note that this program is not yet running, as authorization takes four to six months to complete.
Since 2020, Costa Rica has begun the process of becoming part of the Global Entry program.
The United States Customs and Border Protection Agency is leading this initiative, which is aimed at citizens of certain countries with prior approval and a low level of risk.
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Global Entry is operational at more than 80 airports and points of entry in the United States.
The Global Entry program does not replace the visa requirement, but it does expedite the immigration process, generally avoiding the need to wait in line at checkpoints.
With this initiative, Costa Rica joins a select list of 16 countries that have agreements with the United States government (meaning their citizens can apply).
According to official information from the United States government and airlines, such as United, those interested in the Global Entry program must apply in advance, and it costs approximately US$100.
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The United States Secretary of Homeland Security also told the press that this is her first time in Costa Rica, but she plans to come to the country with her family to vacation.
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