After landing from a long international flight, the last thing you want to do is wait in an extremely long line to clear customs. Thankfully there’s a way to skip all that mess and get on your way.

Update: As of October 1st, 2024 Global Entry is now $120 for adults. There is no fee for children under the age of 18 which is also a new change.

What is Global Entry?

While many people are probably familiar with TSA PreCheck I’d guess far fewer have ever heard of Global Entry. While in some way’s similar to PreCheck, Global Entry is the way to go for any regular traveler.

Like TSA PreCheck, Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler program administered by the Transportation Safety Administration which lets select members go through expedited customs at domestic US airports and a few international airports as well. First launched by the United States Customs and Border Protection on June 6th, 2008 with a pilot at 7 airports, it has since expanded to over 101 locations across the country and the world.

Instead of waiting in the usually massive customs line to get back into the country, all you have to do is walk up to one of the many Global Entry kiosks, scan your passport, answer a few questions and then walk right out. It is really that simple.

Once you are a member, you will be assigned a Known Traveler Number (KTN) just like with TSA PreCheck. That number is linked to your passport and you don’t even have to add it to your airline reservation. Although you will want to as that is how you get TSA PreCheck.

The government knows when you are traveling internationally so it will recognize your passport when you land and scan it at one of the many Global Entry kiosks in immigration.

Usually, the kiosk prints out a ticket with your picture on it which you hand to the Customs and Border Patrol officers at the exit. There’s no more filling out forms, answering questions to some guy in a little box, or best of all, waiting in lines that can wrap around for what seems like miles.

I’ve been a member since April of 2015 and it will be one thing that I hopefully never go without. Even if you only travel abroad once in a while, the amount of time and hassle you will save with Global Entry is incredible. A few years ago when returning from a trip to Germany for Oktoberfest I timed how long it took from when the door opened on the plane to when I got outside of the airport. It took only 6 minutes!

After being on a plane for 8+ hours, the last thing you want to do is wait in an extremely long line just to get home.

How to Get Global Entry

The process for enrolling in Global Entry is pretty straightforward and quite similar to applying for TSA PreCheck.

Create a Trusted Traveler Program account at ttp.dhs.gov/ and select Global Entry.
Log in to your TTP account and complete the application
A $120 non-refundable fee is required with each completed application however, there are many credit cards that will cover this fee. You still need to pay this fee even if you get rejected.
Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center
After accepting your completed application, CBP will conduct a review. If your application is conditionally approved, your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Each applicant must schedule a separate interview.
Complete the application process
Bring your valid passport and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license or ID card, to the interview. This interview process takes only a few minutes and is pretty painless. They will take a picture of you for your new ID card which will be sent to you in the mail.

Where to Conduct Your Interview?

This is the one downside to Global Entry. The number of enrollment centers are much smaller than those for TSA PreCheck. Additionally, there can be some ridiculously long wait times to get in.

There are over 660 TSA PreCheck Enrollment Centers compared to only 101 for Global Entry. If you live in a smaller city, you may have to travel somewhere to get an interview.

The wait times for a Global Entry interview can be really long at some places. Depending on where you are, you can find an appointment the next day but some locations they don’t have an appointment for over a year. Just because there isn’t an appointment sooner, doesn’t mean you are out of luck. People will cancel their appointments which will open up that slot. There are a few good websites out there that will scan for appointments and notify you when something is available sooner like Appointment Scanner and Global Entry Notifications. Global Entry Notifications will also show the current wait time for an appointment at all the locations.

Additionally, if you can’t find a good appointment that works for you, there’s Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival.

Global Entry on Enrollment on Arrival

Exactly like it sounds, Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival is where you simply complete your Global Entry interview after you arrive back in the US after an international trip.

Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) is a CBP program that allows Global Entry applicants who are conditionally approved to complete their interviews upon arrival into the United States; including those entering the United States via a designated CBP Preclearance location. The EoA program eliminates the need for a Global Entry applicant to schedule an interview at an enrollment center to complete the application process.

When landing in an international terminal simply follow the signs directing you to CBP officers who can complete your Global Entry interview.

This is a great option for people who don’t live near an enrollment center or can’t find a good appointment slot. It only takes a few minutes and you’ll be on your way with your newly approved Global Entry membership.

Reasons You Won’t Get Global Entry

There are a couple of reasons you may not be eligible for participation in the Global Entry program. Just remember, if you are denied, you do not get that $120 fee back. According to CBP.gov, you may not be eligible if you:

Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence);
Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
Have been denied for the purchase of a firearm;
Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or
Cannot satisfy CBP of your low-risk status.

Global Entry Comes with TSA PreCheck

There’s no need to separately apply for TSA PreCheck if you have Global Entry as it comes with it! If you’re thinking about getting TSA PreCheck, you might as well apply for Global Entry and get both for the $120 application fee. Paying an extra $22 to get Global Entry for 5 years is a no brainer.

Who is Eligible for Global Entry?

All US Citizens and permanent residents are eligible for Global Entry along with citizens from the following countries:

Argentina
Brazil
Bahrain
India
Columbia
United Kingdom
Germany
The Netherlands
Panama
Singapore
South Korea
Switzerland
Taiwan
Mexico

*Canadian Citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry through the NEXUS program.

Do children need to apply for Global Entry?

Yes, everyone regardless of age needs to have Global Entry to use it. If you are under 18, a parent or guardian will need to consent to your participation in the Global Entry program, however they do not need to be members of Global Entry themselves. They will need to accompany you to your interview.

Unlike TSA PreCheck, everyone regardless of age needs to have Global Entry.

As of October 1st, 2024, there is no fee for children under the age of 18 to apply.

How Long Does Global Entry Last?

Just like TSA PreCheck, Global entry is valid for 5 years. After those 5 years, you can extend your membership for another 5 years for $120 online. Just remember to renew before your membership expires or you’ll have to go through the new application process all over again.

Getting Global Entry for Free

While the $120 fee isn’t that expensive, especially considering it last for 5 years ($24 per year) and it comes with TSA PreCheck, there are a number of ways to get that fee covered if you use the right credit card. There are dozens of cards out there that cover either the Global Entry fee or the TSA PreCheck fee. These cards either offer the credit once every 4 or 5 years. Just make sure to renew your membership before it expires.

Premium Cards

Business Cards

American Express Business Platinum
Southwest Rapid Rewards Performance Business
Delta SkyMiles Platinum Business
Delta SkyMiles Reserve Business

Cards with Under $100 Annual Fees

Capital One Venture Rewards
United Explorer
IHG One Rewards Premier
Bank of America Premium Rewards

Wrapping Up

Global Entry is a huge time saver when returning to the US from an international trip. You’ll breeze through customs in a matter of minutes so that you can continue your journey home. Even if you only fly abroad a handful of times during the 5 year membership period, getting Global Entry is a smart choice especially since it come with TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.

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Global Entry- TSA PreCheck’s Counterpart for Customs