How to apply for Global Entry: Tips for first-time entrants
Among all Reliable travel program, Global entry is probably the least known.
If you’re not familiar with Global Entry, it makes it available to low-risk, pre-approved travelers arriving in the United States from abroad through automated kiosks at more than 75 airports.
How Global Entry works
Global Entry is most useful for frequent international travelers because it provides expedited customs clearance for those entering the United States from abroad.
Instead of having to wait in the usual customs line with others arriving in the United States, Global Entry members can enter through automated kiosks at 77 airports.
Airport use Paperless kiosk with facial recognition technology to identify travelers and verify their membership after scanning their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card. After taking your photo, you will receive on-screen instructions directing you to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer who will confirm you have completed the process.
Register for Global Entry 6 months in advance
As of December, CBP said 80% of Global Entry applications were approved within two weeks. However, it notes that applications can take 12 months or longer to process.
We recommend that you apply for international travel at least six months in advance to avoid any problems with your application being processed before your departure date.
Once your application is approved, you will want to allow additional time to schedule an interview, which is required as part of the application process.
The registration process has many steps
The online application is simple but will take at least 30 minutes to complete as you must submit important information. You can start, save, and resume your application if you need to return to it.
Daily newsletter
Gift your inbox with the TPG Daily newsletter
Join over 700,000 readers to get breaking news, in-depth guides and exclusive offers from TPG experts
To get started, go to Website of the United States Department of Homeland Security and click the “Get Started” button for the Global Entry application. Then, sign in to your Trusted Traveler Program account. If you’re signing up for the Trusted Traveler Program for the first time, you’ll have to set up a new account.
After a few processing steps, begin the nine-step registration process by entering basic identifying information, including your full name (as on your passport and driver’s license), height, and color eye.
From there, you will need to verify that you are a US citizen through your passport and driver’s license information. If you plan to use Global Entry to drive into the United States across a land border, you will also register your vehicle at this time.
The application doesn’t take long until steps five and six, which ask you to verify each address and job you’ve held since August 2017.
Luckily, I had to enter this information for other apps, including TSA PreCheck, so I saved it in the Notes app on my phone. If this is your first time entering this information online, I recommend that you compile and save it for future use.
Once you complete these steps, you will need to specify the countries you have visited since August 2017, excluding the US, Canada And Mexico. If you have since traveled frequently outside of those countries, remembering your trips may take a few minutes.
After completing the first eight steps, you must disclose information regarding your criminal background (if applicable) before your application will be considered. While you may be tempted to submit everything at this point, I recommend taking at least a few minutes to verify all information as any mistakes can lead to delays.
After submitting your application, you must pay the application fee.
Register upon arrival if you can
Once you are approved for Global Entry, the next step is to complete an interview. Conditionally approved applicants may complete an interview through a process called Check-In on Arrival.
Registration upon arrival allows travelers to complete the interview process when re-entering the United States from abroad while clearing customs, including those entering through a designated CBP preclearance location.
This service is currently available at more than 45 airports globally. Be sure to verify the airport you want to attend and check that it is open during your arrival time.
In addition to your US passport (which you may already have if returning to the US from abroad), verify in advance whether any other proof of residency documents are needed for verification. Examples include mortgage statements and rent stubs, but you can find a full list of supporting documents on the CBP website.
For passengers departing from the United States on international flights, there is also an option Register upon departure at Dulles International Airport (IAD).
If registering on arrival or departure is not an option, you will have to interview at one Global Entry Admissions Center. Timing depends on the availability of interview appointments in your city or state.
Remember that Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck membership
Global Entry membership also includes TSA PreCheck membership. If you are not yet a TSA PreCheck member, we recommend you apply for Global Entry first to save money on both.
A five-year membership to TSA PreCheck costs between $78 and $85, depending on the subscription provider. Pass-through registration costs $78 Idemia and $85 pass Telos. Online renewal costs $70 through either provider. Five years of Global membership costs $120. Essentially, you will benefit from both programs for an additional $42.
If you don’t have any international travel plans but have a domestic flight in the next six months, the TSA PreCheck application is usually approved within three to five days, according to the Transportation Security Administration.
However, please note that doing this will require payment of an $85 TSA PreCheck fee and a $120 global participation fee. Additionally, you will not be reimbursed for TSA PreCheck once your Global Entry membership is approved (unless you have certain credit cards).
Certain credit cards offer free Global Entry
Some airlines, hotels and other branded airlines credit card provides a statement credit refund of up to $120 for application fees related to Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This credit is typically offered every four to five years, but you should check the terms for your specific card to see the exact frequency.
Some cards that offer free TSA PreCheck and/or Global Entry membership are:
See the TSA website for information Full list of credit cards offers discounts on TSA PreCheck.
Bottom line
In my experience, the Global Entry and Check-in on Arrival application processes are both extremely simple.
Once you complete the application process, you will receive your actual Global Entry card within 10 business days in the mail.
If you are a frequent international traveler, Global Entry is a no-brainer.
Related reading:
