Global Entry – Apply Now, It’s Worth it!

If you don’t like waiting in long lines and travel outside the United States (or think you might), you need Global Entry. Trust me, it’s worth every penny and the time it takes to apply!

Many travelers have either had unpleasant experiences waiting in line to get through U.S. Customs at airports or have heard the horror stories of people missing their connecting flights because they did not get through customs quickly enough. Well, there’s an easy way to avoid that.

It has been a game-changer for my husband and me, especially when we’re traveling with our son. We breeze through U.S. Customs and enjoy the perks of TSA PreCheck. We haven’t had to wait in lines in a while, which I don’t miss at all!

What is Global Entry

Global Entry is a program operated by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States. This program is designed to streamline the customs process for travel by land, air, and sea, making it faster, more efficient, and less stressful for travelers.

Global Entry Quick Overview

Website	Trusted Traveler Programs
Cost	$100
Length of membership	5 years
Application process	Apply, background check, in-person interview, and fingerprinting
Application processing time	Adults approx.4-6 months, Kids approx. 1-2 months
Membership benefits	Expedited entry through U.S. Customs for travel by land, air, and sea, TSA PreCheck, and no paperwork

Update: Effective 10/1/2024, the application fee will increase to $120, and applicants under age 18 will be exempt from the fee if a parent is a Global Entry member or applying at the same time.

Eligibility

Many people are eligible for Global Entry, including U.S. Citizens, lawful permanent residents, and citizens of countries that have international arrangements with the United States. You must also have a valid passport.

The Trusted Traveler Programs website provides more details about eligibility and which countries’ citizens can apply.

Part of the application process is a background check. If you have committed a misdemeanor crime, like a DUI, it’s a good idea to get it expunged from your record before applying.

Benefits of Global Entry

No lines (or very short ones) through U.S. Customs

My husband and I hate waiting in lines, which is why Global Entry is essential for us. Coming back through U.S. Customs is incredibly quick and simple at participating airports. You just walk right up to a kiosk, and it scans your face. You’re processed within seconds!

The first time we did it, we thought something had to be wrong since we were approved so quickly. After the facial recognition, the agent called our names, and we walked right through. It took about 30 seconds at most. AMAZING!

Circling back to the TSA PreCheck that’s included, we rarely wait in lines when going through security in the U.S. If you’ve ever traveled with a toddler who does not want to stay still, this is a lifesaver!

TSA PreCheck is included

Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck, a program that allows approved travelers to use expedited security lanes at airports in the United States.

This can save travelers significant time and hassle, as they can avoid the long lines and inconveniences of traditional security screening. It also means you can keep your shoes on and not have to take anything out of your bag, like a laptop computer.

I don’t know how we ever traveled without it. It saves so much time and makes the airport less stressful. If you think there’s any chance you’ll travel internationally, you should definitely get the Global Entry. It costs $78 to get TSA PreCheck and $100 for Global Entry. Basically, for $22 more, you get TSA PreCheck and expedited entry into the United States.

Your kids can go through TSA PreCheck with you even if they are not part of either program, but if you travel internationally with them and use Global Entry, they must have their own Global Entry member number. Even babies!

My husband and I had Global Entry for six years before we applied for our son to be in the program. Prior to becoming a member, he went through TSA PreCheck with us more times than I can count, and there were no issues.

No paperwork

One less thing to do! When you return to the U.S., you won’t have to pull out your passport and phone to gather information to fill out the processing paperwork for customs.

Expedited entry benefits in other countries (potentially)

The United States has international arrangements, which could lead to expedited entry in some countries.

Out of the 22 arrangements, only New Zealand offers expedited processing exclusively for Global Entry Members without having to apply to a separate program.

New Zealand offers a dedicated line for U.S. Citizens with Global Entry to expedite the entry process.

Australia allows U.S. Citizens who are at least 16 years old and have a digital U.S. passport to self-process through customs using their SmartGate kiosks. Global Entry is not required to use this service, and you do not need to complete a registration.

Mexico allows U.S. Citizens who are Global Entry members and at least 18 years old to apply for their Viajero Confiable program for expedited entry.

Applying for Global Entry

Go to the Trusted Traveler Programs website.

Select the green Get Started button in the Global Entry column and complete the application. This will also enroll you in TSA PreCheck, as mentioned above.

Scheduling the interview

Once your application is approved, your status will be updated to Conditionally Approved. At this time, you can schedule an interview. There’s a good chance you won’t receive email updates, so be sure to log into your account and check your status periodically.

Select your desired interview location and check for availability. If interviews are available, you’ll see the next available appointment date and the option to click on Choose this Location.

After clicking Choose this Location, a calendar will appear. The dates with a white background and a hyperlink are available. Select your desired date and then click on Choose this Date. This will display all of the available appointment times.

Global Entry application for kids

Kids must have their own Global Entry number. If you travel with them and they don’t, you cannot go through Global Entry at U.S. Customs. Instead, you’ll be directed to the standard customs line. And no, you can’t go through Global Entry and send your kid through the line by themselves. Haha!

When I applied for my son, I created a new account in my son’s name using one of my spare email accounts. After that, you can follow all the steps above.

What to bring to the interview

Adults

• A valid passport
• Documents that prove your residency. Examples include a driver’s license (with current address), a mortgage statement, a rental payment statement, or a utility bill.
• If applicable, a permanent resident card.

Kids

• The parent listed on the child’s application will need to present. The application only asks for one parent’s name. This seemed odd to me, but that’s the way it is.
• Bring your child’s passport.
• I also brought my Global Entry card. Although it’s not mentioned anywhere that parents need to bring it, the agent asked if I happened to have one. So, if you have a card, I recommend bringing it. They kept it during my son’s interview and returned it when we were done.
• You do not need to provide documents to prove residency for kids.

What to do when you can’t get an interview before your international trip

If you can’t get an interview before your trip, applicants who are conditionally approved can do Enrollment on Arrival (EoA). This means you complete the interview when you go through U.S. Customs on your way back from an international trip.

Here’s an up-to-date list of EoA airports.

How long does the process take

Adults

My husband and I went through this process about six years ago, and it was quick back then, but things have changed.

For adults, they estimate it can take four to six months, so make sure to plan ahead. When your application is conditionally approved, check for interviews daily since there can be cancellations. You might get lucky and snag a spot

Kids

The process is fairly quick for kids. I submitted my son’s application on 1/15/2024, and it was conditionally approved two days later. I scheduled one of the first available interviews on 2/19/2024.

After we completed the interview, they told us we’d receive the card in 7-10 days. It arrived 11 business days later, on 3/5/2024. I activated it, and then we were all set for a trip we had planned on 3/18/2024. Overall, it took less than two months from start to finish.

Activate your card

When you receive your card, you need to log back into the Trusted Traveler Programs and activate your membership card.

This is very simple. After logging in, you’ll see an Activate Membership Card button. Just click it, and you’re good to go!

Add your known traveler number to flight reservations

Whether you are traveling domestically or internationally, you need to add your known traveler number to your reservation. This number is the Membership Number/PASSID, which can be found on your Global Entry card (on the back side) or by logging into your Trusted Traveler Programs account.

If your boarding pass does not show TSA PreCheck when flying in the United States (sometimes it’s just TSA with a green check mark), you need to add your known traveler number. You can typically do this online or by visiting the airline desk when you get to the airport.

Southwest Airlines travelers can add the number to their Rapid Rewards account. Then, it will be included on all future reservations.

Passport update tip

If your or your child’s passport expires before your Global Entry does, you need to log into the Trusted Traveler Programs and update the passport information by clicking Update Documents. This is more common for kids since their passports expire after five years. Failure to do this will prevent you from using Global Entry when going through customs.

While you can usually update new passports online, if your name changes, you’ll need to make an appointment at a Global Entry enrollment center to update this information and pay $25 for a new card.