U.S. and Costa Rica Forge Biometric Border Pact Ahead of Global Entry Integration

When Kristi Noem, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security, stepped off the plane in San José on June 25, 2025, she didn’t just bring a diplomatic message—she brought a new reality for travelers between the U.S. and Central America. In a surprise move that caught even seasoned immigration analysts off guard, Noem and Rodrigo Chaves Robles, President of Costa Rica, announced a sweeping biometric partnership that will reshape how people and goods move across borders. The twist? Costa Rica isn’t just becoming a partner—it’s becoming a model.

From Trafficking Bust to Trusted Traveler Status

Just hours before the announcement, U.S. and Costa Rican authorities wrapped up a joint operation that netted 19 human traffickers smuggling migrants from China, Vietnam, and Venezuela through Central America toward the U.S. border. The arrests, confirmed in a U.S. State Department X post, weren’t just a win for law enforcement—they were the catalyst. "We’re going to help with that," Noem told reporters outside the presidential palace. "I believe it will be the first country in the world to fully scan every person or product entering the country." The agreement signed that day includes a framework for sharing biometric data—fingerprints, facial scans, and travel histories—between the two nations. It builds on earlier letters of intent signed with Colombia and Honduras earlier in 2025, but Costa Rica is ahead of the curve. And Noem didn’t just sign paperwork. She made a personal gesture: "I personally made the decision today that President Chaves will be the first person from Costa Rica to receive Global Entry." U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry program, which allows pre-approved travelers to bypass long lines at U.S. airports using automated kiosks, has long been reserved for citizens of trusted nations like Canada, the U.K., and Japan. Now, Costa Rica joins that exclusive list—not as a future possibility, but as a done deal.

Why Costa Rica? The Biometric Edge

Costa Rica didn’t stumble into this position. Since March 2022, the country has been quietly building one of Latin America’s most advanced passport systems. Through a partnership with Veridos, a German identity tech firm, and local partner GSI Sertracen, the General Department of Migration and Immigration rolled out biometric ePassports with 60+ security features. By September 2022, they’d issued 211,000 new passports—nearly 10% of the country’s population—in just six months. "We’re very honored to have been chosen," said Marc-Julian Siewert, CEO of Veridos. "Costa Rica is one of the most advanced countries in Latin America." These passports meet International Civil Aviation Organization standards, storing facial and fingerprint data on encrypted chips. That’s not just convenience—it’s compliance. And it’s exactly what the U.S. needs to scale its own biometric infrastructure without reinventing the wheel.

The December 26 Deadline: A New Normal for Travelers

But the real seismic shift comes on December 26, 2025. That’s when Department of Homeland Security’s new rule—published in the Federal Register as 2025-19655—takes effect. All non-U.S. citizens, including green card holders and tourists from Costa Rica, must undergo mandatory biometric checks upon both entry and exit from the U.S. That means photos, and sometimes fingerprints, collected at airports, seaports, and land crossings. This isn’t just about security. It’s about accountability. For years, the U.S. tracked entries meticulously but had no reliable system for tracking departures. The result? Thousands of overstays went uncounted. Now, every departure will be recorded. The system will cross-reference with Costa Rica’s ePassport database, creating a closed-loop verification process that’s unprecedented in the region.

What This Means for Travelers and Trade

For tourists, the process will be seamless—no new forms, no extra fees. The biometric scan will happen automatically, just like boarding a flight. But for businesses, the implications are deeper. Costa Rican exporters, who ship $1.2 billion in goods to the U.S. annually, will benefit from faster customs clearance as biometric data links shipments to trusted carriers. The same goes for U.S. companies relying on Central American supply chains. "This isn’t about suspicion," said Dr. Elena Mora, a migration policy analyst at the University of Costa Rica. "It’s about efficiency. If you’re clean, you move faster. If you’re not, you get flagged before you even reach the border. That’s smart, not scary." The U.S. has tried similar systems before—in 2013, the Biometric Exit program stalled due to cost and privacy concerns. But now, with Costa Rica already equipped and the political will aligned, the pieces are falling into place.

What’s Next? The Domino Effect

Noem’s tour didn’t end in Costa Rica. She flew to Tegucigalpa and then Guatemala, pressing for similar deals. Honduras, already part of the 2025 letter of intent, is expected to join Global Entry by mid-2026. Panama and El Salvador are watching closely. If successful, this could become the blueprint for U.S. relations across Latin America. Imagine a Central American biometric zone—where travelers with verified identities can move freely between five nations, with seamless entry into the U.S. That’s not science fiction. It’s the next five years.