Global Entry

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trusted traveler program that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers to expedite their entry into the United States at major international airports. Members use automated kiosks or facial recognition technology instead of standard customs lines, significantly reducing wait times. The program costs $100 for a five-year membership and includes TSA PreCheck benefits, making it a dual-purpose solution for both international arrivals and domestic air travel security screening.

What Is Global Entry? — 2026 Definition

Global Entry is a U.S. federal government program administered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that pre-screens travelers through a rigorous background check and in-person interview. Approved members bypass standard passport control lines by using automated kiosks at 75+ U.S. airports and 15 international preclearance locations. As of 2026, the program has over 12 million active members, according to CBP data. Membership includes TSA PreCheck eligibility, covering both international arrival and domestic security screening under a single $100 application fee valid for five years.

Feature	Global Entry	TSA PreCheck	NEXUS	SENTRI
Administering Agency	U.S. CBP	TSA	Canada-U.S. Joint	U.S. CBP
Primary Use	International arrival expediting	Domestic security screening	Canada-U.S. air/land travel	U.S.-Mexico land border
Cost (5 years)	$100	$78	$50	$122.50
Includes TSA PreCheck?	Yes	Yes (only)	Yes	No
Application Process	Online + in-person interview	Online + in-person enrollment	Online + joint interview	Online + in-person interview
Best For	Frequent international travelers	Domestic-only flyers	Cross-border travelers	Southwest border commuters

How Global Entry Works in 2026

The Global Entry process begins with an online application through the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website, requiring a valid U.S. passport or lawful permanent resident card. Applicants undergo a fingerprint-based FBI criminal background check and a CBP security threat assessment. Once conditionally approved, travelers schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center — wait times averaged 4-6 weeks in 2025, according to CBP. At the airport, members use designated kiosks or facial recognition gates that verify identity and customs declarations in under 60 seconds. The TSA reported in 2025 that Global Entry members save an average of 15-20 minutes per international arrival compared to standard processing lanes. In 2026, CBP expanded facial recognition to 95% of Global Entry lanes, reducing reliance on physical kiosks and paper receipts.

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, and SENTRI: Comparison Table

Program	Key Differentiator	Cost (5 Years)	Best Fit Use Case	Verto Recommendation
Global Entry	International + domestic expediting	$100	Travelers flying internationally 2+ times per year	Top pick for frequent international travelers
TSA PreCheck	Domestic security only	$78	Domestic-only flyers wanting faster security lines	Best value for domestic commuters
NEXUS	Canada-U.S. border + air travel	$50	Cross-border commuters or dual citizens	Best deal for Canada-U.S. travelers
SENTRI	U.S.-Mexico land border	$122.50	Regular land border crossers into Mexico	Specialized for southwest border use

Verto’s recommendation: Choose Global Entry if you travel internationally at least twice annually, as the $22 premium over TSA PreCheck unlocks both international arrival expediting and domestic TSA PreCheck benefits. For Canada-U.S. travelers, NEXUS at $50 offers the best value with identical air benefits plus land border access.

Who Should Use Global Entry? (and Who Shouldn’t)

You should apply for Global Entry if: you are a U.S. citizen or lawful permanent resident who travels internationally at least twice per year, especially to destinations with U.S. preclearance facilities (e.g., Canada, Ireland, UAE). The program works best for travelers who can complete the in-person interview at a CBP Enrollment Center within 30 days of conditional approval.

You should consider alternatives if: you fly only domestically — TSA PreCheck costs $78 and requires no interview for most applicants. If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident crossing the U.S.-Canada border frequently, NEXUS at $50 provides equivalent air benefits plus land border access. If you are a non-U.S. citizen without a valid visa or ESTA, Global Entry is not available to you — consider Mobile Passport Control (MPC) as a free alternative for eligible nationals.

Key Factors to Consider When Evaluating Global Entry

Factor	What to Know	Why It Matters
Application Timeline	4-6 months from application to approval in 2025-2026	Plan ahead — don’t apply a week before travel
Interview Availability	Enrollment centers at 75+ airports; walk-ins accepted at some	Check CBP’s TTP site for real-time appointment slots
Renewal Process	Renew online without interview if no issues; $100 fee again	Start renewal 6 months before expiry to avoid lapse
Family Considerations	Children under 18 can use parent’s membership at kiosks	No separate application needed for minors
Trusted Traveler Programs Integration	Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck; NEXUS includes both	Single application for multiple benefits
Privacy Concerns	Facial recognition data stored by CBP for 12 months	Review CBP’s privacy impact assessment before applying

For travelers exploring trusted traveler programs, Verto’s travel category provides in-depth guides on TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry, NEXUS renewal processes, and flight delay compensation options that complement your expedited travel experience.