Global Entry: What It Is and How to Apply

Is Global Entry Worth It?

If you travel internationally more than once a year, Global Entry is one of the best-value programs out there. For $120 — good for five years — you skip the standard passport line when you land back in the U.S. and use an automated kiosk instead, and you get TSA PreCheck benefits on domestic flights at no extra cost. Below, we cover exactly what it includes, how to apply, what to bring, and how it stacks up against TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+.

Open passport showing travel stamps at the airport

What Is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Program. It’s built for the moment you land back in the United States after an international trip. Instead of waiting in the standard passport control line, approved members use a self-service kiosk or mobile app to scan their passport or ID, answer a few customs questions, and get a receipt to hand to an officer on the way out.

Because Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck, your Known Traveler Number also works for domestic security screening. That means one membership covers both directions of travel.

Who Should Get Global Entry?

Global Entry makes sense for anyone who takes at least one or two international trips a year, especially through busy hub airports where passport control lines can run 45 minutes or longer during peak times. It’s also a strong option for green card holders and citizens of a growing list of partner countries with reciprocal Trusted Traveler agreements with the U.S.

If you rarely leave the country but fly domestically often, TSA PreCheck alone will save you money, since you won’t use the international kiosk feature. But if there’s a reasonable chance you’ll take an international trip in the next five years, the extra cost over PreCheck is usually worth it just for the included domestic benefit.

How to Apply for Global Entry

Applying for Global Entry involves a few more steps than TSA PreCheck, since it includes an international background check:
  1. Create an account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and fill out the online application.
  2. Pay the $120 application fee. This is non-refundable even if you’re denied, so it’s worth double-checking your eligibility first.
  3. Wait for conditional approval. CBP reviews your application and background, which can take anywhere from a few days to a few months.
  4. Schedule an interview at an enrollment center, or use Enrollment on Arrival at select airports if you’re returning from an international trip.
  5. Complete your interview. An officer will verify your documents, ask a few questions, and take your photo and fingerprints.

Once approved, your membership is active immediately and valid for five years.

What to Bring to Your Interview

Bring the following to your Global Entry interview:
  • A valid, unexpired passport
  • Your driver’s license or another government-issued photo ID
  • Proof of residency if it’s not listed on your ID (such as a utility bill)
  • Your vehicle registration, if you plan to use Global Entry for land border crossings

Arrive on time and be prepared to answer basic questions about your travel history and reason for applying. The interview itself typically takes 10 to 15 minutes.

Common Reasons for Denial

Global Entry has a stricter approval process than TSA PreCheck since it involves international customs clearance. Common reasons for denial include:
  • Providing false or incomplete information on the application
  • Past customs, immigration, or agriculture violations
  • Certain criminal convictions, even outside the U.S.
  • Being under investigation by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency

If you’re denied, CBP will provide a reason, and you can request reconsideration in some cases. Unlike TSA PreCheck, Global Entry denials aren’t always eligible for a simple reapplication, so it’s worth reviewing the stated reason carefully before trying again.

Cost and Renewal

Global Entry costs $120 for a five-year membership, which works out to just $24 a year — and many travel rewards credit cards reimburse the fee entirely as a cardholder perk, effectively making it free. Renewal can usually be completed online without a new in-person interview, though CBP may occasionally require one depending on your circumstances.

Start your renewal a few months before expiration. If your membership lapses, you’ll lose both the customs kiosk access and the linked TSA PreCheck benefit until you’re re-approved.

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck vs. CLEAR+

Here’s how the three programs compare:

  • Global Entry speeds up U.S. customs and passport control after international flights, and includes TSA PreCheck for domestic flights.
  • TSA PreCheck only covers domestic security screening — it’s cheaper and faster to get approved, but doesn’t help at customs.
  • CLEAR+ speeds up ID verification at the very front of the security line and can be paired with either program for the fastest possible airport experience.

For most frequent international travelers, Global Entry is the better value over standalone TSA PreCheck. It includes the same domestic benefit plus international perks for a relatively small price difference. See our full guides to TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+ for more detail on each.

Person holding a passport near an airport gate window

Which Credit Cards Cover the Fee

Many travel rewards credit cards reimburse the $120 Global Entry application fee as a cardholder perk, including cards from Chase, Capital One, and American Express — and this benefit typically also covers TSA PreCheck if you’d rather apply for that instead. If you’re planning to apply anyway, check whether a card you already carry includes this credit before paying out of pocket; some cards only require you to use the card to pay the application fee to trigger the reimbursement.

Eligibility Requirements

To qualify for Global Entry, you generally need to meet these requirements:

  • Be a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or a citizen of an eligible partner country
  • Hold a valid passport
  • Have no disqualifying criminal or customs history
  • Not be the subject of any ongoing law enforcement investigation

Unlike TSA PreCheck, Global Entry requires a passport even if you’re not planning international travel right away. That’s because the program itself is administered as an international Trusted Traveler agreement.

Tips for Your First Global Entry Trip Home

  • Download the CBP mobile app in advance so you can use it instead of the airport kiosk at participating airports.
  • Keep your Global Entry card or a photo of it handy, though your passport alone is usually enough at the kiosk.
  • Follow kiosk signage carefully — Global Entry lanes are usually clearly marked and separate from standard passport control lines.
  • Your TSA PreCheck benefit only works if your KTN is entered correctly when booking flights, so double-check it every time you book.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does Global Entry last?
Membership is valid for five years from your approval date.

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
Yes — approval automatically includes TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic flights.

Can I use Global Entry at land border crossings?
Yes, in many cases, provided you register your vehicle information in advance.

What if my application fee is denied along with my application?
The fee is non-refundable regardless of the outcome, which is why it’s worth reviewing eligibility requirements carefully before applying.

Is Global Entry worth it if I only fly domestically?
Probably not — TSA PreCheck alone will save you money if you don’t travel internationally.

Related Guides

See our guides to TSA PreCheck and CLEAR+, or check out our car rental deals and flying with points guide.
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