What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is one of a few select Trusted Traveler Programs administered by the United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows certain travelers who enter the United States to be processed and cleared for admission to the United States in an expedited manner. Travelers who qualify for Global Entry are deemed low-risk and pre-approved to enter the United States using automated kiosks at some United States airports. Travellers who sign up for Global Entry also receive TSA PreCheck, another Trusted Traveler Program.
Who Qualifies for Global Entry?
In order to be eligible for Global Entry, you must be a U.S. citizen, a lawful permanent resident of the U.S., or a citizen of one of the following countries:
- Argentina
- Colombia
- India
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Panama
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
Mexican nationals are also eligible to use Global Entry, while Canadian citizens and residents are eligible for Global Entry through the NEXUS program. Individuals under the age of 18 can apply for Global Entry with consent from their parent or legal guardian.
It is important to remember that a person may have to meet additional requirements based on their country of citizenship and their country’s international arrangement with the United States.
An individual may be deemed to be ineligible for the Global Entry program if they:
- Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency;
- Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation;
- Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants, including driving under the influence of alcohol or drugs;
- Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration, or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
- Cannot satisfy CBP that they are low-risk;
- Provide false or incomplete information on the application.
What is the Process to Use Global Entry?
Create an Account and Apply Online
The first step to receive Global Entry requires individuals to apply online at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Programs website. Applicants must create an account in order to complete the application and pay the $100 (US) application fee. At the completion of their application and payment of the fee, applicants will be assigned Membership ID / PASSID number for their Global Entry application.
Complete Background and Security Check
After the application and fee are submitted online, the applicant will be required to go through a background and security check with the country they hold citizenship. This is where the specific requirements and standards of the applicant’s home country will be applied to their background and security check, based on their country’s arrangement with the United States.
Pre-Approval and Enrollment on Arrival
Applicants whose applications have been reviewed and approved by the United States and the applicant’s home country receive pre-approval, or conditional approval. Applicants will receive a message in the online account they created when they applied instructing them to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
Instead of scheduling an interview, certain applicants may complete the application by using the Enrollment Upon Arrival program. This program allows individuals with pre-approval to conduct their interview with a CBP officer upon their arrival to United States airport. No appointment is required to use Enrollment Upon Arrival. However, not all U.S. and non-U.S. airports have Enrollment Upon Arrival available. A list of participating airports can be found on the CBP website.
Individuals who opt to use Enrollment Upon Arrival must have the following documents with them when they arrive to a U.S. airport:
- All valid passports used by applicant;
- Documents proving applicant’s residency (unless applicant is a minor);
- E.g. driver’s licence, mortgage statement, utility bill, etc.
- A permanent resident card, if applicable.
Attend Interview
Applicants who do not use the Enrollment Upon Arrival program must attend a pre-scheduled interview, at which an officer will review the applicant’s documents, ask questions, take their picture, and scan their fingerprints. Thus, an applicant must have all of their valid passports that are used by the applicant; documents that prove their residency; and a permanent resident card, if applicable. Applicants can schedule their interview at their desired location and time using the CBP website.
Once the applicant is approved, they will receive a confirmation message in the online account they created when they applied.
How Long Does it Take for an Application to be Approved?
The processing time for Global Entry applications depends on a variety of factors, including demand. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, the processing times for Global Entry have slowed down greatly.
Generally, the processing time may take anywhere from 1 month to 6 months, though some applications have taken as long as 10 months or one year due to COVID-19.
How to Use Global Entry at Airports
Airports with Global Entry available will have Global Entry automated kiosks that display the Global Entry name and the U.S. Customs and Border Patrol seal. Global Entry members can use the automated kiosks individually, without the aid of a CBP officer. The kiosk will prompt the individual to follow instructions in order to complete the arrival process upon entry into the United States.
For How Long is Global Entry Valid?
Global Entry membership is valid for five (5) years.
Can Global Entry be Renewed?
Yes. Global Entry can be renewed one year before the current Global Entry membership expires.
To renew membership, members must log into their account at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Programs website, where they first applied. Once logged into their account, members must update their personal data if necessary, follow the prompts for renewal, and pay the necessary fees.
Can Children Use Global Entry?
Yes. Individuals under the age of 18 can apply for Global Entry with consent from their parent or legal guardian.
How Much Does Global Entry Cost?
Global Entry currently costs $100.
What Airports Have Global Entry?
Not all United States airports have Global Entry. And, not all airports that have Global Entry have Enrollment Upon Arrival available.
Some international airports allow Global Entry members to clear immigration and U.S. customs before their departure, instead of going through this process upon arrival in the U.S. These airports include:
- Dublin Airport (DUB), Ireland
- Shannon Airport (SNN), Ireland
- Aruba – Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)
- Nassau – Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas (NAS)
- Bermuda International Airport (BDA)
- Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), United Arab Emirates
- Calgary International Airport (YYC), Canada
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Canada
- Vancouver International Airport (YVR), Canada
- Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG), Canada
- Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), Canada
- Edmonton International Airport (YEG), Canada
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ), Canada
- Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), Canada
Generally, those U.S. airports that are major hubs for international travel will have Global Entry available, and are listed below. Those with an asterisk next to them do not offer Enrollment Upon Arrival.
- Austin – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
- Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS)
- Burlington International Airport (BTV)*
- Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)*
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
- Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
- Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)
- Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
- Hartford – Bradley International Airport (BDL)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
- Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- Houston – Hobby International Airport (HOU)
- Indianapolis International Airport (IND)*
- John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
- John Wayne Airport (SNA)*
- Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- Lambert – St. Louis International Airport (STL)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)
- Miami International Airport (MIA)
- Milwaukee – General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
- Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Nashville International Airport (BNA)
- New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
- New York – Stewart International Airport (SWF)*
- Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- Oakland International Airport (OAK)*
- Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- Orlando-Melbourne International Airport (MLB)*
- Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
- Portland International Airport (PDX)
- Providence – T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
- Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)*
- Sacramento International Airport (SMF)*
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
- San Jose International Airport (SJC)*
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport-SeaTac (SEA)
- South Bend International Airport (SBN)*
- Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)*
- Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- Toledo Express Airport (TOL)*
- Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
What Other Trusted Traveler Programs are Available?
United States CBP offers five different program options, including Global Entry, that frequent international travelers can use to expedite the admissions process at U.S. and other ports of entry. All require an application, including extensive background checks, prior to approval.
TSA PreCheck is available to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents (Green Card holders) departing from U.S. airports.
NEXUS is available to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals entering the United States from Canada by land, air, or sea. NEXUS may include TSA PreCheck.
Sentri is available to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., and all foreign nationals entering the United States from Canada or Mexico by air and land. Sentri may include TSA PreCheck.
FAST is available to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents of the U.S., Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals who are commercial truck drivers entering and exiting the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. FAST does not include TSA PreCheck.
