Your Free Guide to Global Entry at Airports

What Global Entry Is and How It Works at U.S. Airports

Global Entry is a program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that lets travelers move through airport security and customs faster when returning to the United States. The program is not free — it costs $100 for five years of membership — but this guide explains what the program offers so you can understand whether learning more about it makes sense for your travel patterns.

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When you use Global Entry at a U.S. airport, you bypass the regular customs line and instead use automated kiosks. These kiosks scan your passport and take your photo. You answer a few questions on a screen about what you're bringing into the country, then a customs officer may or may not do a physical inspection of your bags. Most travelers move through in under five minutes. Without Global Entry, the same process can take 30 minutes to over an hour, especially during busy travel times.

The program works at 59 U.S. airports. Members also receive benefits through TSA PreCheck, a separate program, at no additional cost. TSA PreCheck lets you keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on during security screening, leave your laptop and liquids bag in your carry-on, and use shorter security lines at over 200 U.S. airports. This combination of benefits applies to both international and domestic flights.

Global Entry membership is managed through a CBP program called Trusted Traveler Programs. You can check the CBP website for the full list of airports where Global Entry works and for current program rules. The membership lasts five years from the date it's issued.

Practical takeaway: If you travel internationally and return to the U.S. at least once or twice per year, the time savings from Global Entry can add up. Review your travel history for the past year to see whether you spent time waiting in customs lines that could have been reduced.

The Cost and What You're Paying For

The current membership fee for Global Entry is $100 for a five-year period. This breaks down to $20 per year or roughly $4 per month. The fee covers your membership card, the background check process, and access to the Global Entry kiosks and TSA PreCheck lanes. CBP occasionally runs promotion periods where the fee is reduced to $70 or $85, typically during off-peak travel seasons, but these promotions are not scheduled in advance and do not happen every year.

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The $100 fee is paid directly to CBP through their enrollment system. It is not refundable if you change your mind after paying, and it does not roll over if you don't use your membership. If your membership expires and you want to continue, you must pay another $100 for the next five-year period.

Many people fund their Global Entry membership through credit card rewards programs. Some high-end travel credit cards offer a statement credit of $100 every four or five years specifically for trusted traveler program fees. This can make the program cost nothing if you already carry one of these cards. Check your credit card's benefits guide or call the card issuer to see if this benefit applies to you.

Additional costs may include fees for the in-person interview that is part of the membership process. Most interviews are free, but some enrollment centers charge $35 or more. CBP operates some interview locations, while private contractors operate others. The CBP website shows which locations are free and which charge a fee when you schedule your interview.

Renewal is also $100. You can renew your membership up to six months before it expires. Many people renew during the promotion periods if they can time it right, though these promotions are unpredictable.

Practical takeaway: Before paying the $100 fee out of pocket, check whether your credit card offers a trusted traveler benefit that covers this cost. If you travel internationally fewer than once per year, the fee may not pay for itself in time savings.

How to Learn About the Membership Process

The membership process has several steps, and learning about each step helps you understand what to expect. The process typically takes between two weeks and three months from start to finish, depending on how busy the enrollment centers are in your area and how quickly you schedule your interview.

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The first step is to create an account on the CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs website (goes.cbp.gov). This is where you will enter your personal information, travel history, and payment information. The website collects standard identity information like your full legal name, date of birth, passport number, and address. You will also answer questions about your criminal history, immigration status, and any prior involvement with law enforcement.

After you submit your online form and pay the $100 fee, your information goes to CBP for an initial review. This is when CBP checks your background against government databases. Most people either move forward or receive a request for additional documents within a few weeks. If CBP needs more information, they will send you a message through the Trusted Traveler website.

Once you pass the background review, you receive an invitation to schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center. These centers are located in or near major airports and some other cities. You can schedule your interview through the website. Interviews typically last 10 to 15 minutes. During the interview, a CBP officer will verify your identity, check your documents, and take your photo and fingerprints. The officer may also ask you questions about your travel history or the information you provided in your online form.

After your interview, CBP completes its final review. If everything checks out, your membership is issued. You will receive a membership card by mail. From the date of your interview, the process is usually complete within one to two weeks.

Practical takeaway: Plan for the entire process to take one to three months. Schedule your interview during a month when you do not have upcoming international travel, in case there are delays. Check the CBP website for interview locations and estimated wait times before you begin.

What Information and Documents You Need

To begin the membership process, you need to gather several pieces of information and documents. Having these ready before you start your online form makes the process faster and smoother.

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You will need a valid U.S. passport or passport card. CBP will use the number from your passport during the background check. Your passport must not be expired. If your passport expired, you will need to renew it through the State Department before you can move forward with Global Entry. Processing a passport renewal can take several weeks, so plan ahead if yours is expiring soon.

You will also need your Social Security Number (SSN). CBP uses this to cross-check your identity and background information against multiple government databases. If you do not have an SSN, you may not be able to join Global Entry.

A valid state driver's license or government-issued ID is required for your in-person interview. Bring the original document, not a copy. If your license or ID is expired, you should renew it before your interview.

You should have information about your travel history available. While not all of this is required, CBP may ask about your recent international trips. Information like the countries you visited, the dates you traveled, and the purpose of your trips can be helpful to have on hand.

Prepare documentation of your residency and citizenship. A birth certificate (if you are a U.S. citizen), naturalization papers (if you are a naturalized citizen), or a visa or green card (if you are a permanent resident) may be requested. Bring originals of any documents, not copies.

If you have any criminal history, traffic violations, or prior immigration issues, gather documentation related to those matters. You will be asked about these during your interview, and having the details on hand helps you answer accurately. Small traffic violations or misdemeanors do not automatically disqualify you, but dishonesty about them can.

Practical takeaway: Create a checklist of documents before you start the online form. Gather everything in one place so you have it ready for your interview. If any of your documents are expiring soon, renew them first.

Understanding the Background Check and Interview

The background check is a standard review of your identity, criminal history, and immigration status. CBP runs your information against databases maintained by the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and other law enforcement agencies. The check typically takes one to four weeks.

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