Passport control and Global Entry kiosks at Washington Dulles airport, used by travelers who apply for Global Entry

How to Apply for Global Entry: Steps, Cost, Interview and Renewal

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Last updated: November 13, 2026

To apply for Global Entry, create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account, complete the online application and pay the $120 non-refundable fee. After CBP conditionally approves you, complete an interview at an enrollment center or on arrival at a U.S. airport. Membership lasts five years and includes TSA PreCheck.

This guide covers how to apply for Global Entry step by step: who is eligible, what it costs, how long approval takes, how the Global Entry interview works, rules for kids, and how to renew. All figures come from U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

Contents

Global Entry at a glance

Global Entry is a CBP Trusted Traveler Program that gives pre-approved, low-risk travelers faster clearance when they arrive in the United States (CBP). The key facts:

Item Details
Application fee $120, non-refundable (CBP)
Membership length 5 years
Fee for minors $0 if a parent or guardian is a member or has a pending application
Typical processing time 80% approved within 2 weeks; some take 12 months or longer
Interview Required for first-time enrollment
TSA PreCheck Included for U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents
Where to apply Online through the Trusted Traveler Programs website
Replacement card $25 (CBP FAQ)

CBP recommends Global Entry for frequent international travelers and suggests TSA PreCheck plus the free Mobile Passport Control app for occasional ones (CBP).

Global Entry eligibility: who can apply?

You can apply if you are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. lawful permanent resident, or a citizen of a partner country. CBP’s eligibility page lists more than 20 partner countries and territories, including the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, India, South Korea, Brazil, Mexico and Taiwan; some have extra requirements (CBP).

Reasons you may be denied

CBP may find you ineligible if you (CBP):

  • give false or incomplete information on the application;
  • have any criminal conviction, including driving under the influence, or pending charges or outstanding warrants;
  • have violated customs, immigration or agriculture laws in any country;
  • are under investigation by a federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
  • have been denied the purchase of a firearm; or
  • cannot satisfy CBP of your low-risk status.

How to apply for Global Entry, step by step

These are the steps in the Global Entry application process, based on CBP’s instructions (CBP):

  1. Create a TTP account. Go to the Trusted Traveler Programs website and sign in with Login.gov. Every applicant needs their own account, regardless of age.
  2. Complete the Global Entry application online. Sign in and fill out the application for Global Entry.
  3. Pay the $120 fee. Pay by credit card or electronic bank transfer when you submit. The fee is not refunded if you are denied.
  4. Wait for conditional approval. CBP runs a background check. Your TTP account will tell you when you are conditionally approved.
  5. Complete your interview. Schedule an appointment at an enrollment center, or use Enrollment on Arrival or Enrollment on Departure without an appointment.
  6. Start using your benefits. Once approved, add your PASS ID to airline bookings for TSA PreCheck, and use Global Entry lanes when you return from abroad.

How long does Global Entry take?

CBP says 80% of applications are approved within 2 weeks, but some applications take up to 12 months or longer, depending on factors such as criminal history (CBP). Apply well before a planned trip.

How does the Global Entry interview work?

Interviews are required for first-time enrollment, and each applicant needs a separate interview (CBP). You have three options:

  • Enrollment center: Schedule an appointment through your TTP account. Bring your valid passport and one other form of ID, such as a driver’s license. Lawful permanent residents must bring their machine-readable permanent resident card (CBP).
  • Enrollment on Arrival: If you are conditionally approved, complete the interview when you land in the United States on an international flight, with no appointment. Bring your passport and proof of residency, such as a driver’s license with your current address or a utility bill.
  • Enrollment on Departure: Interview before your departing flight at select airports, with the same documents.

Global Entry for kids and minors

There is no minimum age for Global Entry. Children under 18 need a parent or legal guardian’s consent, and that adult must be present at the interview (CBP). Each child still needs their own TTP account and interview.

Since October 1, 2024, the $120 fee is waived for children under 18 whose parent or guardian is a Global Entry member or has an application in pending or conditionally approved status (CBP FAQ). A child whose parents are not members can still enroll but pays the fee.

Traveling abroad with kids for the first time? Our guide on how to get a passport explains passports for children too.

Global Entry renewal: how to renew

You can renew starting one year before your membership expires. If you submit the renewal before expiration, you can keep using your benefits for up to 24 months after the expiration date while it is processed (CBP FAQ).

  1. Sign in to your TTP account with Login.gov.
  2. On the dashboard, select Renew in your Global Entry membership section.
  3. Declare your citizenship, confirm the program and pay the fee.
  4. Check your account for next steps. A new interview may not be needed, and some conditionally approved renewing members can interview by video through CBP’s remote interview pilot.

Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck

Global Entry speeds up customs when you enter the United States; TSA PreCheck speeds up airport security before domestic and international departures. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in Global Entry get TSA PreCheck by entering their PASS ID in the Known Traveler Number field when they book (CBP). For a side-by-side summary, see the difference between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry, and check how long TSA PreCheck takes if you only need that program.

Before your next flight, review the TSA liquid rules and the REAL ID requirements for domestic travel.

Frequently asked questions

How much does Global Entry cost?

The Global Entry application fee is $120 and membership lasts five years. The fee is non-refundable, even if your application is denied, and it is waived for children under 18 whose parent or legal guardian is a member or has a pending application.

How long does it take to get Global Entry?

CBP says 80% of applications are approved within 2 weeks, but some take up to 12 months or longer. After conditional approval, you still need to complete an interview before membership starts.

Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?

Yes. U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents in Global Entry can use TSA PreCheck by entering their membership number (PASS ID) as the Known Traveler Number when booking flights.

What do I need to bring to my Global Entry interview?

At an enrollment center, bring your valid passport and one other form of identification, such as a driver’s license. Lawful permanent residents must also bring their permanent resident card.

Can kids get Global Entry?

Yes. There is no minimum age, but each child needs their own account, a parent or guardian’s consent, and an interview with a parent or guardian present.

Can I renew Global Entry online?

Yes. You can renew through your Trusted Traveler Programs account starting one year before your membership expires, and a new interview may not be required.

Sources

Featured image: Automated Passport Control and Global Entry kiosks at Washington Dulles International Airport. Photo by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, public domain, via Wikimedia Commons; resized.

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