U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently announced that the Global Entry trusted traveler pilot program has reached 100,000 members. The Global Entry program is a voluntary program that streamlines the international arrivals process for pre-approved travelers.

U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, as well as Dutch citizens who apply under a reciprocal arrangement with the Privium program in Amsterdam, are eligible to participate. To enroll, applicants must pass an intensive background check, then successfully complete an interview and fingerprint data collection process at any one of the 20 participating airport sites. After that point, they may use self service kiosks upon arrival in the United States. The enrollment is valid for five years.

The trusted traveler progrqam is an alternative to regular passport-processing lines and is said to reduce average wait times at the airport by 70 percent.

For a copy of the announcement, click here. To apply for a membership in the Global Entry program or for more information on the program, click here.