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U.S. Customs and Border Protection service traveler program
Travel topics > Concerns > Border crossing > Global Entry

Caution Note: This article is a reference for those who are members of Global Entry or who are considering applying. It does not represent legal or immigration advice. Please refer to the official CBP Global Entry website for full details on the program.

Global Entry is a program administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to receive expedited clearance upon arrival into the United States.

Eligibility

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Global Entry only

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The following groups of people can apply for membership in Global Entry:

Applicants must be able to pass a criminal history check, have complied with customs and immigration regulations in the past, and provide truthful responses on the application. The cost of applying is $100. A number of credit cards offer a statement credit for the enrollment fee.

Please refer to the Global Entry eligibility page for further details on eligibility.

Although Canadian citizens are not eligible to apply for Global Entry, they may receive Global Entry privileges by participating in the NEXUS program.

NEXUS members

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All NEXUS members are automatically enrolled in Global Entry if their 10 fingerprints are on file with CBP. This can be verified by logging in to GOES to see if the NEXUS member is also enrolled in Global Entry, or by visiting a NEXUS or Global Entry enrollment center. There is no additional cost for NEXUS members.

Application

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After completing an online application and submitting the $100 fee, applicants must schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. These centers are only in the United States, Canada, and Qatar, but it is also possible to do your interview upon arrival at certain airports in the United States. See the official site for more information on the application process.

Starting on 1 October 2024, the application fee for Global Entry and other Trusted Traveler Programs, including NEXUS and SENTRI, will increase to $120, but the cost for those under 18 will be waived.

Benefits

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Identification

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The Global Entry card is a valid form of ID when entering the U.S. via land. It can also be used at airport security. However, it is only issued to members who are citizens of the United States or Mexico.

Expedited land border crossings

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Global Entry members may use the NEXUS lanes when entering the U.S. via land from Canada if they are in possession of a Global Entry card AND if that card has been activated online for non-airport use. However, Global Entry members (who are not members of NEXUS) may not enter Canada through a NEXUS lane.

Global Entry members may use the SENTRI lanes when entering the U.S. via land from Mexico, if they are in possession of a Global Entry card and are driving in an approved vehicle.

Expedited air travel to the U.S.

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Global Entry members can expedite the customs and immigration process at certain airports.

The original entrance procedure at program launch in June 2008 was that a traveler had to report to a Global Entry kiosk, scan their passport (or "green card" for legal permanent residents), scan their fingerprints, have their photograph taken, and answer a series of questions. The kiosk would print a large receipt which included a crude black-and-white version of the photograph. The traveler would then present their passport/green card and Global Entry receipt to a CBP officer before exiting the federal inspection area. Over the next decade, as Global Entry membership exploded from a few thousand enrollees to over 10 million, this procedure meant CBP was printing and discarding a massive number of paper receipts every day.

As of 2021, the procedure has been simplified with the deployment of a new generation of kiosks. A Global Entry member only needs to look into a kiosk camera, which uses automatic facial recognition to identify the member and tells them to proceed. The kiosk forwards member profiles to the CBP officer manning the Global Entry lane. The officer reviews the member's passport to ensure it matches the information on file, asks if they have anything to declare, and allows them to proceed.

This is still much faster than the traditional primary inspection process, since the officer can review each member's profile as they approach the inspection booth, rather than having to manually scan each passport and then call up and review the relevant profile.

Global Entry members do not need to be in possession of their Global Entry or NEXUS card when traveling via air, nor do they need to complete a blue customs declaration card. However, they must be in possession of their passport and (if applicable) any visa or permanent residency documents.

Some passengers may be randomly selected for a secondary inspection.

U.S.

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The following U.S. airports have Global Entry kiosks

Canada

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The following Canadian airports with customs preclearance have Global Entry kiosks:

Ireland

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The following Irish airports with customs preclearance have Global Entry kiosks:

The following UAE airport with customs preclearance has Global Entry kiosks:

TSA Precheck

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TSA Precheck is a program that expedites security procedures at select U.S. airports. A dedicated lane is available to travelers using TSA Precheck.

All Global Entry members are eligible to participate in the TSA Precheck program when flying from a U.S. airport with an approved airline. Travelers must register that they are trusted travelers with their airline prior to printing their boarding pass. For more information, please refer to the TSA Precheck website.

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