How Do You Apply for Global Entry and What Does the Process Involve?

This article is based on CBP's published Global Entry program documentation, the governing federal regulations in 19 CFR Part 235 (Passenger Processing), and the agency's Trusted Traveler Programs portal guidance. Airport Online reviewed these sources directly; the CFR citations below point to specific sections of that regulation so readers can verify each claim independently.

This article does not cover NEXUS (the US-Canada border program), SENTRI (the US-Mexico border program), the Visa Waiver Program's ESTA requirement, or CBP's separate procedures for non-immigrant visa holders. Each has its own eligibility rules and application process governed by separate regulations.

Nothing in this article constitutes legal or immigration advice. If your immigration status is complex or you have a prior customs or criminal record, consult a licensed immigration attorney before applying for Global Entry.

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Global Entry is a trusted traveler program operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) under the Department of Homeland Security. Its legal authority is 19 CFR Part 235, which authorizes CBP to establish expedited clearance procedures for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving from abroad. Approved members use automated kiosks at participating US international airports instead of standard CBP processing lanes.

At a Global Entry kiosk, the member scans their passport or US permanent resident card, provides a fingerprint scan, and answers on-screen customs declaration questions. Those answers satisfy the air-arrival declaration requirement established by 19 CFR 122.49a, the same legal obligation that standard-lane travelers meet with paper Form 6059B. The kiosk prints a receipt that the member presents to a CBP officer at the exit point. Under 19 CFR 162.6, CBP retains the authority to direct any traveler to secondary inspection regardless of trusted traveler status.

What Global Entry includes:

• Automated kiosk access at participating US international airports for arriving international flights.
• TSA PreCheck for domestic security screening at TSA-staffed checkpoints. This is bundled into Global Entry membership; a standalone TSA PreCheck membership costs $85 for five years as of TSA's published fee schedule.

What Global Entry does not include: It does not guarantee expedited processing on every arrival, does not apply to departures or domestic flights beyond TSA PreCheck, and does not cover travel through non-participating airports. NEXUS members receive Global Entry and TSA PreCheck benefits under a separate bilateral agreement, but NEXUS and Global Entry are distinct programs with different application processes.

CBP defines eligible applicant categories under 19 CFR 235.2. Eligibility does not guarantee approval; every applicant undergoes a background check.

• US citizens and US nationals with a valid US passport.
• US lawful permanent residents (green card holders) with a valid permanent resident card.
• Citizens of select countries with which CBP has a reciprocal trusted traveler agreement. As of CBP's published program page, these include citizens of Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, the United Kingdom, and several others. The list changes as new agreements are signed; always verify on CBP's official Global Entry page before applying.
• Certain Mexican nationals who hold a valid Mexican passport and meet CBP's additional requirements.

Who is not eligible: Under 19 CFR 235.7, CBP may deny or revoke membership for applicants who have been convicted of certain criminal offenses, have customs or immigration violations on record, have provided false information on a previous CBP application, or are under investigation by any law enforcement agency. CBP evaluates each application individually and does not publish an exhaustive disqualifying-offense list. Review CBP's eligibility criteria on the TTP portal before paying the non-refundable fee if you have any concern about your record.

Minors under 18 can be added to a parent or guardian's Global Entry account as conditional members, subject to CBP's current rules for minors. Check the TTP portal for the current process, as CBP updates minor-enrollment procedures periodically.

The Global Entry application is submitted online through CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs portal at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. The following steps are drawn from CBP's published TTP portal guidance and the procedural requirements in 19 CFR Part 235:

1. Create a TTP account. Go to ttp.cbp.dhs.gov and create an account using your email address. You may authenticate via Login.gov or ID.me if you already have an account with either service.
2. Start a Global Entry application. Select Global Entry from the program list and begin a new application. You will be asked for personal information, passport details, employment history, travel history, and background questions. Under 19 CFR 235.7, inaccurate answers are grounds for denial and can affect future applications.
3. Pay the $100 application fee. The fee is charged at submission and is non-refundable regardless of outcome. CBP accepts major credit and debit cards through the portal.
4. Wait for CBP's background check. CBP reviews your application and runs a background check. Your TTP account will show 'Conditional Approval' if approved pending the interview, or the reason for denial if refused. Some denials can be appealed through the TRIP (Traveler Redress Inquiry Program) process, governed by 49 CFR Part 1560.
5. Schedule your enrollment interview. Log back into the TTP portal and schedule an interview at a CBP Enrollment Center. Enrollment Centers are located at many major US airports and some CBP field offices. Interview availability varies; popular Enrollment Centers at large hub airports can have wait times of several weeks to several months.
6. Complete the interview. Attend your scheduled interview with your valid passport and any other documents the TTP portal specifies. The CBP officer verifies your identity, reviews your application, asks questions about your background and travel history, and collects your fingerprints digitally. If everything is in order, the officer will approve your membership on the spot in most cases.
7. Receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN). After full approval, CBP issues you a Known Traveler Number. Add this number to your airline frequent flyer profile and enter it when booking flights to activate TSA PreCheck on your boarding passes.

Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) is a CBP-run option that lets conditionally approved applicants complete their Global Entry interview in the arrivals hall after landing from an international flight, rather than scheduling a separate Enrollment Center appointment. CBP describes the EOA process on its dedicated Enrollment on Arrival page at cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-arrival.

EOA availability depends on staffing and flight volume on the day of your arrival. Not every airport offers EOA; CBP's Global Entry page lists participating airports.

How to use Enrollment on Arrival:

• Confirm you have 'Conditional Approval' status in your TTP account before your flight.
• When you land at a participating airport, look for EOA signage or ask a CBP officer in the arrivals area.
• Bring your valid passport and any documents listed in your TTP conditional approval notice.
• If EOA is not available on that day, clear customs through the standard lane and schedule an Enrollment Center appointment separately.

EOA is a convenience, not a guarantee. Do not plan a trip around completing your EOA interview; schedule a backup Enrollment Center appointment in case EOA is unavailable when you arrive. Confirm current participating airports on CBP's official EOA page before travel, as availability changes without notice.

Once you are a fully approved Global Entry member, here is how the arrivals process works at a participating US airport, based on CBP's published kiosk and program guidance and the procedural framework in 19 CFR Part 235:

At the kiosk: Follow signage to the Global Entry kiosks after deplaning. Scan your passport or permanent resident card, place your fingers on the fingerprint scanner, and answer the on-screen customs declaration questions. Those answers fulfill the declaration obligation under 19 CFR 122.49a for air arrivals. The kiosk prints a receipt.

At the exit point: Present your printed receipt to the CBP officer at the exit. The officer reviews it and either clears you to baggage claim or directs you to secondary inspection. Secondary inspection is a routine part of CBP's layered enforcement authority under 19 CFR 162.6 and does not by itself put your membership at risk.

TSA PreCheck on domestic flights: Add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to your airline frequent flyer profile and enter it when booking flights. When your boarding pass shows 'TSA PRE,' use the dedicated PreCheck lane at the security checkpoint. Not every flight or checkpoint is PreCheck-enabled; check your boarding pass each time.

Limitations of this guidance: Kiosk layouts, signage, and CBP procedures vary by airport and are updated periodically. Always check CBP's official Global Entry page and your arrival airport's website for current instructions before you travel.

Global Entry membership is valid for five years from the date of approval, as established by 19 CFR 235.5. CBP recommends beginning the renewal process at least six months before your expiration date to avoid a gap in benefits, particularly TSA PreCheck, which is tied to your Global Entry KTN.

How to renew: Log into the TTP portal and submit a renewal application. The renewal fee is the same as the initial application fee ($100 as of CBP's current published schedule). CBP may grant a conditional renewal that extends your benefits while the renewal background check is processed, but this is not guaranteed; start early.

Keeping your membership in good standing:

• Always declare all goods, currency above the reporting threshold (currently $10,000 or its foreign-currency equivalent, as required by 31 USC 5316), and agricultural items honestly at every international arrival, whether you use a Global Entry kiosk or a standard lane.
• Notify CBP through the TTP portal if your contact information, citizenship status, or passport changes.
• Under 19 CFR 235.7, a customs violation can result in membership revocation. When in doubt, declare the item.

Credit card reimbursement: Many premium travel credit cards reimburse the Global Entry application or renewal fee as a cardholder benefit. Check directly with your card issuer for current terms, eligible cardholders, and how to claim the reimbursement. Airport Online does not endorse or recommend any specific credit card product.