U.S. and German representatives this week signed a joint statement indicating their intent to integrate the U.S. and German trusted traveler programs. The two countries intend to develop processes for eligible citizens of the two countries to apply for both the United States’ Global Entry program and Germany’s Automated and Biometrics-Supported Border Controls (ABG) program.

“Integrating one of our biometric trusted traveler programs with Germany’s will facilitate legitimate trade and travel between our two nations while allowing law enforcement to focus on the most serious security threats at points of entry to our country,” said Jane Holl Lute, Deputy Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Global Entry program allows pre-approved members a way to avoid regular passport processing lines, which can drastically cut down on wait times for such travelers. The ABG program is its German counterpart program and eases the process for international visitors to Germany.

More than 42,000 persons have enrolled in the Global Entry program, which uses biometrics to identify trusted travelers, since its launch in 2008. The program is available at 20 major airports in the United States for U.S. citizens and permanent residents over the age of 14 who have valid machine-readable passports and consent for background screenings.

Learn more about the Global Entry and other trusted traveler programs at www.cbp.gov/travel.