Global Entry explained

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection programme that lets pre-approved, low-risk travellers clear US immigration and customs through an automated kiosk rather than the standard queue. It's aimed primarily at frequent visitors to the US, and it also comes bundled with TSA PreCheck, making it one of the more useful trusted-traveller schemes for anyone who flies to or through the US regularly.

Who can apply

Global Entry is open to US citizens and US lawful permanent residents, and also to citizens of a growing list of other countries that have a reciprocal arrangement with US Customs and Border Protection — this has included countries such as the UK, Germany, Switzerland, South Korea, Singapore and several others, though the exact list changes over time and it's worth checking the current list before applying, since eligibility depends entirely on your nationality and any existing arrangement.

Applicants must also pass a background check — a criminal record, past customs or immigration violations, or providing false information on the application can all lead to denial. There's no way to appeal a rejection in the usual sense, and the application fee is generally non-refundable even if you're turned down, so it's worth being honest and thorough on the application itself.

What it actually gets you

• At US airports: instead of joining the regular immigration queue, members go to a Global Entry kiosk, scan a passport or permanent resident card, provide fingerprints or a photo for verification, and answer a short customs declaration on screen. Most members are through in a couple of minutes rather than the long wait a busy immigration hall can involve.
• TSA PreCheck included: Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck, meaning faster domestic security screening at US airports too — you don't need to remove shoes, belts or light jackets, or take laptops and liquids out of hand luggage, at PreCheck lanes.
• Some use returning from abroad generally: the automated kiosk process specifically speeds up the US arrivals process, which is often the single longest queue of a long-haul trip.

The application process

Applying is a multi-step process, and it's worth budgeting real time for it — approval is not fast, and it isn't guaranteed:

1. Create an account and submit an application with personal, travel and background information through the official US Customs and Border Protection Trusted Traveler Programs system.
2. Pay the non-refundable application fee, which covers a five-year membership if approved.
3. Wait for conditional approval — this can take anywhere from a few weeks to several months, depending on current processing volumes, so apply well ahead of any trip you're hoping to use it for.
4. Schedule and attend an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrolment centre, typically located at major airports and some other sites. This is a short interview, generally straightforward if your application was truthful, where an officer confirms your identity, reviews your background, and takes fingerprints.
5. Final approval is usually given at or shortly after the interview, and the membership is then active for five years from that point.

Cost and renewal

The application fee covers five years of membership and is paid upfront, non-refundable regardless of the outcome. Many US-issued travel credit cards offer a statement credit that covers this fee as a cardholder perk, which is worth checking before paying out of pocket. Renewal, needed every five years, follows a similar process, though returning members sometimes have a shorter or remote interview option rather than needing to attend in person again — this has varied over time, so check current renewal requirements as your expiry approaches.

Global Entry vs other trusted-traveller schemes

Global Entry is US-specific but sits within a broader family of trusted-traveller and fast-track programmes worldwide. It's the higher-tier option compared with TSA PreCheck alone, since PreCheck only covers domestic security screening within the US and has no immigration or customs benefit for international arrivals. Other countries run their own schemes with no direct relationship to Global Entry — holding it doesn't grant equivalent fast-track status elsewhere, though some programmes do have limited reciprocal recognition with schemes like Canada's NEXUS, which itself provides Global Entry-equivalent benefits for eligible Canadian and US citizens.

Is it worth it?

For anyone flying to the US more than occasionally, the combination of skip-the-queue US arrivals and included TSA PreCheck for domestic flights makes Global Entry one of the better-value trusted-traveller schemes available, particularly once the card fee credit from an eligible credit card is factored in. For a single one-off US trip, the interview requirement and processing time make it far less practical — it's designed around, and best suited to, frequent travellers rather than occasional ones.

Frequently asked questions

How long does Global Entry approval take?

It varies with current processing volumes, but budget for anywhere from a few weeks to several months between application and your interview. Apply well ahead of any trip you want to use it for, rather than close to departure.

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?

Yes. Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck for domestic US security screening, at no extra cost beyond the Global Entry fee itself.

Can non-US citizens apply for Global Entry?

Yes, citizens of a number of countries with a reciprocal arrangement with US Customs and Border Protection can apply. The list of eligible countries changes over time, so check current eligibility for your nationality before applying.

What happens at the Global Entry interview?

A short in-person interview at an enrolment centre where an officer verifies your identity, reviews your application and background, and takes fingerprints. It's generally straightforward if the application itself was accurate and complete.