Program expediting clearance for international travel to hold first interviews at Spokane airport

International travelers in Spokane will soon have an opportunity to sign up for the Global Entry program at the Spokane International Airport.

For the first time, officers with the U.S. Customs and Border Protection will hold in-person interviews in Spokane for the program, which gives expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers returning to the U.S.

The interviews will take place on Feb. 7 and 8 at the Spokane airport. The law enforcement agency recommends applying online for the program before Dec. 21 to ensure they are cleared for the Spokane interviews in time.

To qualify for the program, travelers must apply online, pass a background check and complete an in-person interview with a CBP agent. The nearest locations to Spokane for the interviews have been the Seattle-Tacoma International Airport or the Birch Bay enrollment center in Blaine.

The program is similar, and gives access, to the TSA PreCheck program for domestic travel, allowing travelers to leave their shoes, jackets and belts on, as well as to keep their laptops in their bags.

The $100 application fee is good for five years of membership. Expedited screening for coming back to the U.S. is available at nearly 300 kiosks located at 34 U.S. airports.

Travelers approved for the program present their passport or U.S. permanent resident card at one of the kiosks, place their fingers on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk prints a receipt and the traveler is free to go.