What Is Global Entry, and How Does It Work?

Global Entry can save you a ton of time if you travel internationally on a frequent basis. Applying for the program takes time and planning, so get prepared with our guide here.

There are few things worse than getting off a long, exhausting international flight to then see a line of people in customs, knowing you still have a long wait ahead of you before you get to your final destination. But for those who travel internationally on a frequent basis, the trusted traveler program Global Entry can save you a ton of time on arrival home to the United States.

Global Entry is a game-changer for international travelers. Instead of joining the long customs line after your flight, you head straight to the Global Entry kiosks. There’s rarely ever a line here, and most travelers clear customs in under ten minutes. During peak times at busy airports like JFK or Miami International, this can save hours.

The program automatically includes TSA PreCheck benefits too (you’ll get a Known Traveler Number upon acceptance), so the Global Entry program also has domestic benefits. These include shorter security lines and keeping your shoes on during domestic departures.

Qualifying for Global Entry takes a little bit of advance planning and logistics, but can be well worth the time and financial investment. In this article, we outline the program and what it takes to qualify.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry emerged as a solution to growing international travel congestion. The program lets pre-approved travelers entering the United States bypass traditional customs lines using automated kiosks. Instead of standing in a long customs line, filling out paper forms and waiting to speak with a customs officer, you answer questions on a touchscreen, scan your fingerprints, and typically walk through customs in minutes.

The program requires a simple online application through the Trusted Traveler Programs website, followed by a background check and an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Once approved, members gain access to dedicated kiosks at participating airports where they can scan their passport, verify fingerprints, and complete a digital customs declaration. The kiosk prints a transaction receipt to show Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers as you exit – eliminating the need for paper forms and traditional processing lines.

One of the program's most valuable benefits is that it automatically includes TSA PreCheck membership, which normally requires paying a separate fee. This means you'll also enjoy expedited security screening at US airports when departing on any flight, with no need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or light jackets.

While the application fee and in-person interview requirement require some effort in the short term, Global Entry status lasts for five years from approval. For frequent international travelers or even those who make just a few overseas trips per year, the time saved and stress reduced can make the investment worthwhile.

The real value of Global Entry becomes clear during peak travel times. Land during spring break or after a wave of European flights, and you might find yourself waiting hours in the regular customs line. Global Entry members skip these lines and go straight to dedicated kiosks, often completing the entire process long before regular passengers reach the front of the line.

How to apply for Global Entry

Getting Global Entry might seem complicated at first, but the application process is actually quite straightforward. First, create an account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and complete the online application. This part takes about 15-20 minutes. You'll need to have your valid passport handy, along with details about your employment history and all the addresses where you've lived in the past five years. How much is global entry? There's a non-refundable application fee (currently $120) that's required when you submit.

It typically takes 2-6 weeks for your application to be conditionally approved. Once this happens, you'll get an email prompting you to schedule your in-person interview. Interview slots can be hard to come by, so it's worth checking the scheduling system regularly for cancellations if you're eager to complete the process quickly.

What to bring to global entry interview:

• Your valid passport
• A second form of official identification (like a driver's license)
• Proof of residency (utility bill or rental agreement)
• Permanent resident card (if applicable)

The interview is usually brief – about 15 minutes – and mainly serves to verify your information and take your fingerprints. CBP officers will ask about your travel history and ensure you understand the program's rules. Most applicants receive their approval on the spot and receive their Global Entry card in the mail within a couple of weeks. You don’t actually need to carry your Global Entry card with you, as the kiosks will have your passport and photo information on file, but it does provide proof of membership when needed.

The most important thing you’ll get when you get approved for Global Entry is your Known Traveler Number (KTN), also known as PASS ID. This is a very important number that you’ll need when you’re booking flights, both domestically and internationally. In the traveler details of your booking, be sure to look for the field for KTN and input your number exactly as shown. This ensures your TSA PreCheck benefits get applied to your boarding pass, so that you can easily access TSA PreCheck security lines, which tend to move faster and oftentimes have shorter lines than standard security. It also links your ticket to your Global Entry benefits, so that there’s no issue when you’re trying to return to the US.

Who’s eligible for Global Entry?

US citizens and permanent residents are automatically eligible, but they're not the only ones who can apply. Citizens of several partner countries can also join the program, including:

• Citizens of Argentina
• Citizens of Brazil
• Citizens of Bahrain
• Citizens of Dominican Republic
• Citizens of India
• Citizens of Colombia
• Citizens of United Kingdom
• Citizens of Germany
• Citizens of The Netherlands
• Citizens of Panama
• Citizens of Singapore
• Citizens of South Korea
• Citizens of Switzerland
• Citizens of Taiwan
• Mexican nationals

However, meeting the citizenship requirements is just the first step. You'll need to have a clean background to get approved. Here's what could make you ineligible:

• Criminal convictions
• Pending criminal charges
• Outstanding warrants
• Customs/immigration law violations
• Ongoing investigations by any law enforcement agency
• False statements on your application

Even minor infractions like failing to declare items at customs could impact your eligibility. CBP officers have significant discretion in the approval process. They can deny applications if they determine you're a potential security risk, even without specific disqualifying factors.

There’s no age limit for application. Children of all ages can enroll, but they need their own separate applications and interviews – they can't just piggyback on a parent's membership.

Global Entry vs. TSA Precheck: What’s the difference?

While both programs help you speed through airport security, Global Entry and TSA PreCheck serve different purposes and come with their own unique benefits.

TSA PreCheck focuses solely on domestic security screening when departing from US airports. For $78, you’ll get five years of access to dedicated security lanes where you can keep your shoes on, leave your laptop in your bag, and breeze through with liquids and light jackets still packed. It’s a slightly less involved interview process, and there are more than 650 enrollment centers for easy access to the program. If you primarily fly within the United States, this might be the better (and cheaper) Trusted Traveler Program to consider.

Global Entry comes with all the benefits of TSA PreCheck, but also gives you expedited customs and immigration processing when returning to the US from abroad. Instead of joining the long lines at passport control, you'll use automated kiosks to complete your entry. The program is a little more expensive (currently at $120 for five years), but is definitely worth it if you travel one or more times per year internationally.

Think of it this way: TSA PreCheck is like having a fast pass for security lines, while Global Entry is the comprehensive VIP package for international travelers.

Alternatives to Global Entry

If Global Entry doesn't seem like the right fit for your travel needs (or you're not eligible), don't worry – there are several other Trusted Traveler Programs that might better suit your travel patterns. Here's a rundown of your options.

TSA PreCheck is the most popular alternative, ideal for frequent domestic travelers. It's more affordable than Global Entry and has a simpler application process. While you won't get expedited customs processing, you'll still enjoy faster security screening at US airports, which can be a huge time-saver for domestic flights.

NEXUS is built for travelers who frequently cross the US-Canada border. At $120 for five years, you’ll enjoy TSA PreCheck benefits as well as the ability to travel to and from Canada more quickly in a vehicle or on foot. You also apply online and then are required to go to an in-person appointment for verification. The appointment locations are located in certain northern states (including Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Washington, and Vermont), and in Ontario, Canada.

SENTRI is designed for frequent travelers crossing the US-Mexico border by car. At $120 for five years, it provides dedicated vehicle lanes at land borders. Plus, it includes TSA PreCheck benefits, which makes it a good option if you regularly drive across the Mexican border.

Outside of the government-run Trusted Traveler Programs, CLEAR offers an alternative way to speed through security lines. CLEAR offers facial recognition as a way to verify your identity to get you on flights at more than 70 domestic and international airports. CLEAR also has dedicated TSA PreCheck lines at certain airports, so you can breeze through even faster. While it won’t help you get through customs faster like Global Entry will, you can use both programs together so you can get to where you’re going more quickly, and also get back into the US more quickly. Some credit cards and airline loyalty programs offer discounted CLEAR membership, so check to see if you might be eligible.

Can you avoid the application fee for Global Entry?

No, unfortunately there’s no getting around the application fee for Global Entry. But the good news is that once you pay your application fee, your credentials are valid for five full years. You can then renew at the same rate, but without having to go through the lengthy application process again.

Is Global Entry worth it?

If you’re a frequent international traveler, there’s no doubt that Global Entry is worth it. It’ll save you countless hours in customs lines and speed up your overall experience when reentering the United States.

Even if you don’t travel internationally as frequently, you may want to consider it as it comes with all the domestic benefits of TSA PreCheck, at only a slightly higher cost. The interview process is slightly more in-depth, but doesn’t require too much extra effort. Plus, you can renew it every five years just like TSA PreCheck

You may also want to consider if the people you travel with have Global Entry or not. If you travel exclusively with your family internationally for instance, you may want to consider getting the whole family Global Entry so that you can breeze through customs as a family. Each traveler needs their own Global Entry to pass through customs.

Business travelers can also check if their employer is willing to cover the cost of the application in order to streamline business trips overseas.