U.S. Customs and Border Protection launches contactless, biometric processing

Summary: Starting March 8, the U.S. preclearance experience changes at YYC

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (U.S. CBP) will biometrically match travellers flying to the U.S. with their passport or visa photo. As technologies have evolved, facial comparison has become the most efficient and secure solution.

Here’s how it works:

1. Instead of using the Automated Passport Control (APC) kiosks, all guests, except air crew and NEXUS/Global Entry, present themselves to a U.S. CBP officer at the booth.

• Accessibility queueing is maintained.
• 13 kiosks remain as a contingency until 2023.

2. NEXUS or Global Entry members continue to use the dedicated lane and kiosks and process as normal.
3. The guest’s photo is taken and compared to their existing passport or visa photo.
4. Fingerprints are taken for guests who are travelling to the U.S. for the first time.
5. The U.S. CBP officer interviews the guest to understand the intent to travel and determines eligibility to enter the U.S.

Benefits:

• Simplifies inspections and streamlines the existing passport checks.
• Confirms guest identity with more accuracy, security and efficiency than before.
• Speeds the entry to the U.S. for qualified guests.
• Allows U.S. CBP officers to focus on greater risks.
• The hands-free process reduces surface contacts.

For more information, visit the U.S. CBP website.