Any traveler who has waited in the snaking customs lines at the airport has probably wondered how to apply for Global Entry. Members of the program essentially have a fast pass through the US Customs and Immigration lines after returning from an international flight, easing what can be a stressful situation in the arrivals terminal.
Travelers who take international trips at least a couple times a year should consider applying to the expedited Trusted Traveler program. Although the Global Entry application process can be lengthy—taking weeks or months to fully complete—the added convenience and time saved at the airport is well worth the effort, paperwork, and membership fee.
In fact, the Global Entry application process and other membership details tend to change a little bit every year. Recently, Customs and Border Protection, the agency that oversees Global Entry, made adjustments to the program, including a new option to enroll on departure that’s meant to simplify the complex interview scheduling process and an increase to the membership fee for the first time ever.
Below is everything travelers need to know about how to apply for Global Entry—from filling out the online paperwork to the quickest way to secure an interview and ways to get membership for free.
How much does Global Entry cost?
The cost of Global Entry recently jumped for the first time since the program’s inception. In October 2024, the application fee increased from $100 to $120. Although the new fee is slightly higher, the program still offers good value for travelers: Remember that Global Entry also includes access to TSA PreCheck, which costs $78 to join on its own.
Oh, and a heads-up for families: It’s also possible to apply for Global Entry for kids under the age of 18, but they must have parental or legal guardian consent to participate. So, if you’re finally tackling the application for yourself, why not do it for the kids, too?
Who can apply for Global Entry?
As Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program, the government only deems certain travelers eligible to apply. Travelers who are eligible to apply for Global Entry include: US citizens, US permanent residents, and citizens of 15 foreign countries (Argentina, Brazil, Bahrain, India, Colombia, United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan, The Dominican Republic, and Mexico). Canadian citizens and residents are also eligible for Global Entry benefits through membership in the NEXUS partnership (the agreement that allows members expedited processing when traveling between the US and Canada).
