What is Global Entry and how do I apply?

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a trusted traveler program issued by the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It helps you get through customs faster when you arrive in the US from an international destination. Depending on the airport, average customs wait times can stretch up to 30 minutes to an hour, so Global Entry can save you time that you’d otherwise spend waiting in line.

It also gives you access to TSA PreCheck, which lets you move through airport security faster when you depart from a US airport.

What are the benefits of Global Entry?

• Get through customs faster.
  When you arrive in the US from an international destination, use a Global Entry kiosk to complete the customs process.

  Just scan your fingerprints, as well as your passport or US permanent resident card. Then declare what you’ve brought into the country. After receiving a receipt, proceed to baggage claim.

  You’ll find Global Entry kiosks in select airports.

• You get TSA PreCheck too.
  Upon approval for Global Entry, you’ll receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN). Enter this number while you book flights, and you can go through the TSA PreCheck lane in select airports.
• Your membership lasts five years.
  With a $100 application fee, you could receive Global Entry benefits for quite a while.

How much time will Global Entry save me?

Global Entry can save you time — but how much? Here are a few statistics on time savings for travelers departing from and arriving at United States airports.

Departing from US airports: How much time you’ll save

TSA PreCheck comes with Global Entry, and it comes into play as you’re departing from US airports. According to TSA, 95% of travelers with TSA PreCheck waited less than five minutes to go through security lanes in March 2020. TSA says the vast majority of passengers who don’t have PreCheck get through security within 15 minutes, and that virtually all passengers wait less than 30 minutes.

Arriving at US airports: How much time you’ll save

As a Global Entry member, you can land from an international flight and be through the customs kiosks within minutes. While your mileage may vary, many travelers report they’re out of customs within 5 to 10 minutes.

How much time you’ll save depends on which airports you fly into and out of, as well as which times you typically fly. You can use the CPB’s Airport Wait Times tool to see how long it typically takes for passengers to move through passport control.

How much does Global Entry cost?

A Global Entry application costs $100. Since membership lasts five years, you’re essentially paying $20 per year.

Is a Global Entry membership worth it?

Whether or not a Global Entry membership is worth paying for often depends on two major factors:

• How much you value getting through US customs faster.
  Some people love speeding through US customs, especially after they arrive tired from their international trips. Others prefer to save their money and have no problem waiting in line just a bit longer.
• How often you’ll use your Global Entry membership.
  Consider how much you fly, both domestically and internationally. If you’re certain you’ll never fly overseas, a Global Entry membership won’t be useful. But it can be a godsend if you’re constantly returning from international destinations. Keep in mind a Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck, so it can be useful for domestic flights.

Is my Global Entry application fee refundable?

That fee is non-refundable regardless of whether you’re approved or not. That said, you’ll want to maximize the fee by submitting an application only if you can confidently meet the Global Entry membership requirements.

As with most other things in life, membership in Global Entry is never guaranteed no matter how good your qualifications may seem.

Can I get Global Entry for free?

You can get reimbursed for your Global Entry application fee through certain credit cards. To learn more, visit our guide on credit cards with Global Entry fee credits.

The process here is simple: Simply pay for your Global Entry application fee with your eligible credit card. Within a few weeks, you’ll see a statement credit on your account, which means you essentially got your membership for no cost.

Compare credit cards with Global Entry fee credit

Global Entry statement credit is reserved for more than premium travel cards. You can find the benefit with some cards priced around $95 a year.

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Name	Product	Welcome Offer	Rewards	Annual fee	Filter values
Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card		100,000 miles after you spend $10,000 in your first 6 months of account opening	10x miles on hotel and rental car purchases booked through Capital One Travel, 5x miles on flights booked through Capital One Travel, and 2x miles on every other purchase	$395		Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
The Platinum Card® from American Express		100,000 points after spending $6,000 in your first 6 months, plus 10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 in combined eligible purchases in the same timeframe	10x points at restaurants worldwide and when you Shop Small in the US on up to $25,000 combined in the first 6 months, 5x points on prepaid hotels booked with American Express Travel, 5x points on directly-booked flights on up to $500,000 annually, then 1x points after that and on other eligible purchases	$695		New Platinum Exclusive Offer One of the most valuable premium travel cards, featuring two welcome offers worth up to $7,000 based on Finder's valuation, multiple travel credits and unrivaled lounge access. Terms apply, see rates & fees	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...
Luxury Card Mastercard® Black Card™		N/A	1x points on all purchases with 2% point value when you redeem for airfare and 1.5% for cash back	$495		Receive an annual $100 air travel credit toward flight-related purchases including airline tickets, baggage fees, upgrades and more.	Apply now View details	Compare	loading Fetching your data...

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Who is eligible for Global Entry?

You can apply for Global Entry if you’re a US citizen or a lawful permanent resident of the US.

You’re eligible for Global Entry if you’re a Mexican national or a citizen of one of these countries:

If you’re a Canadian citizen or resident, apply for the NEXUS program. It gives you expedited passage through customs when you enter the United States or Canada.

Who is not eligible?

• Give false or incomplete details on your Global Entry application.
• Have a conviction for a criminal offense, pending charges or outstanding warrants.
• Can’t be admitted to the US due to immigration regulations.
• Can’t be certified as low-risk by the CBP.
• Have violated customs, agriculture or immigration laws in any country.
• Are being investigated by a law enforcement agency.

How do I apply for Global Entry?

It’s best to apply for Global Entry well in advance of your travel date. It can be tough to nab an interview slot, and approval can take a while.

Follow these steps to get your Global Entry membership:

1. Go to the CBP website.
   It’s nested within the Department of Homeland Security website.
2. Click “Get Started” to apply for the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP).
   The CBP requires everyone to have a TTP account, regardless of their age.
3. Once you have a TTP account, log in and apply for Global Entry.
   Provide information such as your contact details, employment history, prior addresses, passport number and foreign countries you’ve visited. Pay a $100 fee with your application.
4. Wait for conditional approval.
   According to the CBP, the average processing time is three to five weeks. However, some travelers have received conditional approval within days, and others say they’ve had to wait longer than five weeks to hear back. Your mileage may vary.
5. Schedule an in-person interview within 30 days of receiving conditional approval.
   Find a Global Entry Enrollment Center and schedule an in-person interview. Bring required documents. After your interview, you’ll typically receive approval on the spot. You’ll receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which you can enter while booking flights. This gives you access to the TSA PreCheck security lane at eligible US airports.
6. Wait for your Global Entry card in the mail.
   It usually takes seven to 10 days to receive this card. When you do, activate it within 30 days in your Trusted Traveler Program account.

What to expect in your Global Entry interview

Interviews are usually 10 to 15 minutes. You’ll give details about yourself: your travel habits, your employment information, why you want a Global Entry membership and more.

You’ll also have your fingerprints and photo taken.

Here’s what to bring to your Global Entry interview:

• Your conditional Global Entry approval letter.
• A valid passport.
• Proof of residency, such as a mortgage statement or utility bill. You can also bring your government-issued driver’s license if you currently live at the listed address.
• If applicable: Bring your permanent resident card. Bring your court disposition papers if you’ve had a prior arrest or conviction.

Be patient with the application process

With the popularity of the Global Entry program, wait times are often reported to be getting longer. It’s not unusual to see travelers receiving conditional approval several months after applying.

Another issue you may have to contend with is the availability of interview slots. You may need to wait up to several months to get face time at the most convenient location — especially if you plan on interviewing at a busy airport.

Bottom line: It’s technically possible for your application to be completed within a few weeks. But as a practical matter, allow for several months for the entire process, and apply well in advance of travel.

Here are a few tips to speed up the application process

• Hop in when people cancel their appointments. Keep an eye on the appointment scheduling page, as cancellations happen all the time. You may be able to snag a slot well before you’re scheduled one.
• Call a nearby enrollment center and ask if they accept walk-ins. The staff there may give you suggestions on how to increase your chances of a successful walk-in.
• Consider Enrollment on Arrival. If you’re conditionally approved, you can complete your Global Entry interview once you arrive at certain airports. Visit the CPB’s Enrollment on Arrival page for more information, including participating airports.

Global Entry interview locations

On the CBP website, look for a nearby Global Entry Enrollment Center.

Enrollment centers are mostly at major airports, and most states have at least one location. Your state may also include non-airport enrollment centers. Remember that through the Enrollment on Arrival program, you can have your interview when you land at select airports.

Where you can schedule Global Entry interviews

How to use Global Entry

1. When you arrive in a US airport, look for signs directing you to Global Entry kiosks.
2. Scan your passport or US legal permanent resident card.
3. Declare goods that you’ve brought into the country.
4. The screen will show your flight information. Confirm the details.
5. The kiosk will dispense a receipt. Take this receipt to the exit control point and hand it to the CBP officer on duty.

How to renew your Global Entry membership

You can start the renewal process one year before your membership’s expiration. Here are the steps to do it:

1. Log in to your Trusted Traveler Programs account on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) website.
2. Navigate to the Manage membership page. Select the option to renew.
3. If necessary, update your information and pay an application fee.

The next step is one you might know well by now: sit tight. You can check your account for updates on your renewal, and the DHS will let you know if you must come in for another security interview.

Global Entry alternatives: Mobile Passport, NEXUS, SENTRI and more

You may have heard of other programs that speed up the customs process: Mobile Passport, NEXUS and SENTRI. If so, your head might be spinning trying to figure out the differences.

Also, travelers are often confused about the differences between CLEAR and TSA PreCheck — and how they compare to Global Entry.
Here are the differences between the programs.

• Before your flight
• Arriving in the US from international destinations

CLEAR

CLEAR is a biometric authentication service that’s useful at the start of your trip.

When you’re ready to get to the airport gates, you have to go through identity verification and security screening. Specifically, a TSA agent checks your ID and travel documents, then you and your bags go through the scanners.

A CLEAR membership speeds up the identity verification process. You simply walk up to a designated kiosk and your fingerprint or eyes will be scanned. Afterward, a CLEAR rep will take you directly to the screening section.
For information, read our guide on CLEAR membership.

TSA PreCheck

Like CLEAR, TSA PreCheck kicks in as you begin your trip. It speeds up the security screening process. In combination with a CLEAR membership, it can form a one-two punch that gets you to your airport gate as soon as possible.

Note that TSA PreCheck is for domestic travelers while Global Entry is for international travelers. As mentioned earlier, you automatically get TSA PreCheck if you’re approved for Global Entry.

Visit our guide on TSA PreCheck to learn more.

Mobile Passport

Mobile Passport is an app that’s very similar to Global Entry. It expedites passage through US customs. However, much fewer people know about it, which increases the odds you can sail through customs even faster than those who have Global Entry.

Getting started is easy: Just use the app to enter your passport details and some basic information. There’s no interview required. Furthermore, you get to use the basic version for free, or opt for advanced features at $14.99 a year.

To use the app, answer basic customs questions as you touch down at an eligible US airport. You’ll get a QR code receipt, which you’ll show to a CBP officer.

There are a few things to keep in mind about Mobile Passport. You won’t get TSA PreCheck, which makes sense given its price. It has narrower eligibility than Global Entry: You must be a US citizen with a valid passport, or a Canadian citizen with a valid passport and B1 or B2 visa status. Lastly, it’s only available at around 30 airports, unlike Global Entry, which is available at over 75 airports.

NEXUS

NEXUS is like “Global Entry for Canadians.” You’ll find all of the benefits of Global Entry, in addition to expedited marine entry when you return to the US from Canada.

NEXUS can be a great choice because it’s only $50 for a five-year membership, making it cheaper than Global Entry. What’s more, eligible children under 18 get their membership free — a benefit Global Entry doesn’t have.
But watch out for the caveats. According to the TSA, you’ll get TSA PreCheck benefits only if you’re a US citizen, US lawful permanent resident or Canadian citizen. It doesn’t list this benefit for Canadian permanent residents or Mexican nationals.

There’s an arguably more important downside. While there are many Global Entry enrollment centers, there are many fewer for NEXUS. These centers are located in Canada and states bordering the country, such as Washington, Montana and New York.

SENTRI

The main benefit of SENTRI is it lets you cross into the United States by land via Southern border ports. Your SENTRI membership lets you use the NEXUS lanes when you’re returning to the US by land from Canada.

Furthermore, it affords you Global Entry benefits. According to the TSA, however, TSA PreCheck benefits are available only to US citizens and US lawful permanent residents.

SENTRI is more expensive than Global Entry, at $122.50 for a five-year membership. That said, the best reason to get a membership is if you live in a country that’s ineligible for Global Entry. Also, keep in mind that there are only a handful of SENTRI enrollment centers.

For information on both SENTRI and NEXUS, visit the US Department of Homeland Security website

Bottom line

With an application fee and in-person interview, you could receive a five-year membership that saves you time at customs.

Looking for a product that helps you travel in style? Compare credit cards ideal for travel, from premium products to no-annual-fee options.

Frequently asked questions

• Do I have to be a US citizen to qualify?

  No. You’re eligible if you’re a US lawful permanent resident. You may also apply if you’re a Mexican national or a citizen of an eligible country.

• How do I renew a Global Entry application?

  You can renew your Global Entry membership one year before it expires.

  Log in to your Trusted Traveler Program account. Under Program Membership, select Renew Application.

  You may be required to have another interview. Otherwise, the CBP will immediately send you a new card in the mail.

• Should I get Global Entry if I already have Mobile Passport?

  There are benefits to having both. Mobile Passport is available in around 25 US airports. Meanwhile, Global Entry is available in around 75 airports, including international destinations such as Calgary, Aruba and the Bahamas.

  At your chosen airport, one program’s line may be shorter than the other. You can use whichever option gets you out of the airport faster.

Images: Shutterstock