One of the disadvantages of traveling the world is the number of checkpoints you must go through to get to your destination. These include airport security before departing, and customs and immigration upon arrival. Although they are a part of every international travel, Global Entry will make at least this part a little bit easier for your adventures. Here is why we think that Global Entry is worth it in 2023.
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What are the perks of Global Entry?
Global Entry allows you, as a trusted traveler, to enter the USA from international destinations faster. You’ll stop at a kiosk, get verified, and then head out of immigrations. Just show your kiosk receipt to the officer at the exit. No more waiting in long lines after a long flight. No more answering a series of questions from a Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) Officer. “Where did you travel to?” “Are you bringing anything back with you?”
In addition to getting to speed through Immigration on your trip home, TSA Pre-Check automatically comes with your Global Entry approval. TSA Pre-Check lets you take the (often) shorter line at the TSA Security Checkpoint at the airport. It also allows you to leave your shoes on, liquids, and laptops in your bag. It makes the entire screening process faster and easier. In addition to the line being shorter, it is most often people who travel often. So, they don’t slow down the screening line because they are unfamiliar with it.
Find out more reasons why TSA Pre-Check might be right for you!
So, in short, it minimizes the time that you spend in line leaving for your dream vacation (both domestically and internationally). And it saves you time and human interaction after a long flight coming back from an international trip. Both were huge wins for me.
What do you skip with Global Entry?
To be fair, you don’t actually get to skip any part of the security process. But I guess you do get to skip the CBP Officer interview. While coming back into the US, you’ll stop at a kiosk that will take your picture or fingerprints. From there, it’ll print off a receipt which you hand to the CBP Officer and you’re on your way. In total, it took longer to walk to the customs area than it did to clear it. Less than 1 minute in total from start to finish.
Is there a downside to Global Entry?
There are some downsides that you’ll want to consider as you think about if Global Entry is worth it for you. There is a fee for Global Entry, currently $100, but it gives you a Global Entry status for 5 years. In addition, TSA Pre-Check comes along with Global Entry at no additional cost.
More importantly, the process can be time-consuming and invasive for some. You need to fill out an online application with a lot of detailed information. Information requested includes including current and previous residences, employers, and criminal history. They will then conduct a thorough background check on you. Finally, you’ll need to meet with an immigration officer in person for an interview.
These interviews can be hard to get and may require you to travel a distance if the airport closest to you doesn’t offer convenient appointments. I’ve heard stories of people finding the next available appointment for more than 6 months. CBP states the delay is because they are so backed up with applications. I’ll cover a pro tip later on how to get your Global Entry without an appointment a little bit later.
How many airports accept Global Entry?
Currently, 74 airports have Global Entry kiosks to speed you through Immigration. That’s important when considering if Global Entry is worth it for you. For international airports with USA Pre-Clearance, 16 of those have Global Entry kiosks. Looking at the list of airports with kiosks covers most international airports, and most pre-clearance airports as well. Even our small local airport had 4 kiosks of its own, and they only have a couple of international destinations.
Note that even airports that don’t have Global Entry Kiosks, often still have a dedicated line for Global Entry customers. The CBP Officer can see your Global Entry status when they scan your passport. This should cause you to still have a much faster experience.
Customs and Immigration are just one thing you need to think about during international travel. See our article about all of the other things you’ll want to consider before your international flight.
How much does Global Entry cost?
Global Entry costs $100 for 5 years. Every 5 years, you’ll need to renew it at $100, with a new interview and approval process. Remember that TSA Pre-Check is also automatically included in that cost as well. There may be some costs involved with your needing to travel to a Global Entry Acceptance Site for your interview if you don’t live near an international airport already.
TSA PreCheck & Global Entry
The two most common programs people talk about in relation to international travel are TSA Precheck and Global Entry. TSA PreCheck is administered by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), whereas Global Entry is administered by Customs and Border Protection (CBP). Both programs have their pros and cons, so which is right for you?
Which is better TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
The answer is, as predicted, it depends. Really it depends most on your travel style and destinations. If you frequently travel internationally, then getting Global Entry will give you the best of both worlds. Rapidly pass through security on the way out, and immigration on your way back in. But, if most of your travel is domestic, as in within the United States, then TSA Pre-Check is faster, cheaper, and much easier to get. It’ll still speed you through nearly all US airport security screenings.
Is Global Entry harder to get than PreCheck?
Global Entry is harder to get. But, that doesn’t mean that Global Entry isn’t worth it. Although TSA Pre-Check requires an in-person component, it’s much easier. First off, there are significantly more TSA Pre-Check interview locations within the US. Also, the “interview” is more about reviewing your application, and taking your fingerprints and photo.
The interview Global Entry interview appointments currently have a several-month waiting list for most airports. Primarily because there are so many fewer locations that can do the interview. The interview is more intense with a CBP Officer. They review your application and take your photo and fingerprints. They also ask a lot more questions about previous travel, criminal history, and more.
Is Global Entry cheaper if you already have PreCheck?
One of the Global Entry Basics questions we get a lot is if Global Entry is cheaper if you already have Pre-Check. It would in practice seem like it should be because TSA Pre-Check is included within Global Entry. Also, if you have Pre-Check, they already have done a background check on you and got your fingerprints.
But, like any good government agency, they don’t seem to share the information between the two agencies. So, even though you’ve already done it once, you’ll need to do both again. Luckily, if you’ve received TSA Pre-Check, you’ll likely be approved for Global Entry. Of course, this isn’t guaranteed.
So, if you’re considering if Global Entry is worth it, just go for it versus having to pay for each program separately. Also note that if you get TSA Pre-Check and then Global Entry, they’ll give you a new Trusted Traveler number. So your previous TSA Pre-Check number becomes completely redundant.
The Global Entry Application Process
The process to get your Global Entry Card can be lengthy and requires a number of steps. Each of these steps is required to ensure that you are a “trusted traveler” in the eyes of the federal government. The process includes an online application, a background check, and an in-person interview.
How long does it take to get Global Entry approved?
There are two stages for Global Entry approval. The first is the online application, which then initiates background checks. You’ll need to wait for this to be conditionally approved before you can schedule your interview. This can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. Don’t try to show up for your interview before this is approved. You’ll get an email when you are conditionally approved.
The second part is the interview, which once completed, you’ll get an email almost immediately saying that you’ve been approved. You can expect to find your new Global Entry card in the mail less than a week later. But, getting that appointment can take time, sometimes up to several months. If you’re traveling internationally in the next few months though, see the next question for a shortcut for completing your appointment.
Can I just show up at the airport for a Global Entry interview?
Once you are conditionally approved, then you have two options for completing your Global Entry interview. You can schedule an appointment at an enrollment site (usually at airports), or use Enrollment-On-Arrival (EoA).
EoA can be used at a growing number of international airports upon arrival from an international location. Note that you need to be passing through immigration during international travel to use EoA. You can’t just show up at the front door of one of these airports and expect to get your interview completed. But, if you’re flying internationally, when you head through customs, just tell the CBP Officer that you are conditionally approved for Global Entry and they’ll direct you from there. (They’ll also be able to see that you are conditionally approved when they scan your passport.)
Daphne and I both did Enrollment-on-Arrival at two different airports. I waited about 30 minutes at Miami International. Daphne waited about 45 minutes at JFK in New York. Both of our interviews took less than 10 minutes before we were formally approved and on our way. We both had long layovers at our respective airports, so it was a great time to get the interview done without needing an appointment.
Because you’ll be doing your interview upon arrival, you may want to check out our list of things that will make your long flight more comfortable.
Do they fingerprint you for Global Entry?
Yes, they both fingerprint you and take your photo. But, unlike previous fingerprinting you may have had, it’s all digital now. So, no mess, and a quick and painless process.
How many people get denied Global Entry?
About 1% of total applications for Global Entry are denied, so it happens, but it’s not common. The biggest reasons for denials are previous immigration problems. Such as overstaying a visa or bringing prohibited items through a security checkpoint. They do have an appeals process if you feel like you were unfairly denied. It may be worth pursuing if you think that Global Entry is worth it for you.
Other Global Entry Basics Questions
How do you access Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check benefits?
Once you’re approved, you’ll get a Trusted Traveler number. On your global entry card, it’s called a PassID. From that point forward, just add it to any airplane reservation, or even better, add it to your airline profile and it’ll be added automatically when you book a ticket. When you print off your plane ticket (or load it digitally on your phone) leaving a US airport, it’ll have the words “TSA Pre-Check” on it. Just follow the signs to your own special line. You’ll immediately get the benefits of Pre-Check including not having to remove your shoes, laptops, or liquids.
When flying back into the United States, just follow signs to the Global Entry lines. Stop at the kiosks and follow the instructions. Global Entry access is attached to your passport number, so as long as all of your active passports are included on your profile, it’ll work for you. The kiosk will print off a little receipt that you’ll hand to the CBP Officer on your way out of the immigration area.
When you’re flying, you won’t even need to carry your Global Entry card. They won’t ask for it. But, when you’re crossing a land border, bring your card with you. Just hand it to the CBP Officer at the land border crossing along with your passport or passport card. This efficiency is a big part of what makes Global Entry worth getting.
Can I use my Global Entry card instead of my passport?
When flying, your passport is what connects you to your Global Entry access. When flying back into the United States though, the kiosk used facial recognition and didn’t even ask for our passport or global entry card. But, it’s important to note that you’ll need your passport to enter any other country. Most airlines will check your passport before they even allow you to board an international flight. So, ensure that you have your passport with you when you travel internationally, but you may not need it after you land back in the US.
Is Global Entry worth it?
If you don’t like to wait in line, and you travel internationally even a few times a year, then I would say that it’s absolutely worth it. The time that the TSA Pre-Check has saved us on both domestic and international trips has been significant. We’ve only used the Global Entry aspect once at our little local airport on a late-night arrival. We zipped through immigration but then everybody else caught up with us waiting for our luggage.
But, when I landed in Miami before I had Global Entry, I waited nearly 45 minutes while I saw one individual pass through the Global Entry line in mere minutes. Of course, if you’re picking up luggage, you’re going to have to wait for that anyway. But, the efficiency of “skipping the line” and the ease of not having to do the immigration interview made it worth it for us.
