Global Entry Programme to facilitate Bahrainis’ entry to US

TDT | Manama

The Daily Tribune – www.newsofbahrain.com

Bahrain’s Ambassador to the US, Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa, attended the Global Entry Programme launch ceremony at the Customs and Border Protection headquarters in Washington D.C. The programme was agreed upon during the official visit of Interior Minister General Shaikh Rashid bin Abdullah Al Khalifa to the US last month.

The visit was part of efforts to further strengthen the strong ties between the two countries which continue to receive the support of His Majesty King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa and His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, and saw the activation of an agreement signed between Bahrain and the US in January 2021.

The programme facilitates the entry of Bahrainis to the US through the Global Entry kiosks. On the occasion, the Ambassador asserted that joining the programme is an international achievement for Bahrain, and will further facilitate travel for Bahrainis to the US. He highlighted Global Entry, a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) programme, as a mechanism that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved individuals upon arrival in the US. Moreover, he stated that the programme is evidence of the ongoing and long-term cooperation between the two friendly countries in security and economic affairs.

It symbolises our countries’ dedication and commitment to further strengthening and fostering Bahrain-US ties in facilitating commerce, tourism, and people-to-people initiatives, as well as solidifying efforts to ensure the security of our borders, he added.

The programme will grant Bahrainis expedited clearance upon arrival in the US through the use of kiosks strategically placed in numerous US airports and at pre-clearance facilities worldwide. He expressed that the Global Entry programme with the Kingdom of Bahrain signifies another layer of border security implemented to facilitate the lawful travel of Bahrainis to the US.