How Global Entry Works: What Happens When You Use It at the Airport

Global Entry gets you through customs and immigration in a separate, faster lane when you return to the United States

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that lets you skip the regular customs line when you land at a U.S. airport after international travel. Instead of waiting in the standard queue with everyone else, you walk to a dedicated Global Entry kiosk, scan your passport, answer a few questions on a touchscreen, and move through. The whole process typically takes 5 to 10 minutes instead of 30 to 60 minutes in the regular line.

You do not get the benefit automatically. You pay a fee upfront, go through a background check, and attend a brief in-person appointment at an enrollment center. Once approved, you receive a card and can use the program for five years. The card works at most major U.S. airports and some smaller ones, though a handful of airports do not yet have Global Entry kiosks.

Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic flights, so you get expedited security screening on both international and domestic travel without paying for PreCheck separately.

Key Takeaways

• Global Entry costs $100 for five years and requires a background check and in-person interview before you can use it.
• You use the program by scanning your passport at a kiosk when you land in the United States after international travel, which typically takes 5 to 10 minutes instead of waiting in the regular customs line.
• The program includes TSA PreCheck, so you also get expedited security screening on domestic flights without paying extra.
• Not all U.S. airports have Global Entry kiosks yet, so check whether your home airport and frequent destinations have them before enrolling.
• You must renew your membership after five years by paying the fee again and submitting an online renewal application.

What Happens at the Airport When You Use Global Entry

When your plane lands and you reach the customs area, you look for the Global Entry kiosk lane. It is usually marked clearly and separate from the regular customs line. You walk up to an available kiosk, insert your passport into the scanner, and answer questions on the touchscreen about what you are bringing back, whether you have anything to declare, and where you traveled.

The kiosk prints a receipt with a barcode. You take that receipt to a customs officer, who scans it, may ask a follow-up question or two, and waves you through. You then collect your baggage and leave. The entire process from kiosk to officer typically takes 5 to 10 minutes, compared to 30 to 60 minutes or longer in the regular line during busy travel periods.

If you are traveling with family members who do not have Global Entry, they still go through the regular customs line. Only cardholders can use the kiosk lane. Children under 15 can be included on a parent's account and use the kiosks with the parent, but they do not get their own card.

The Enrollment Process and What It Costs

Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership. You start by filling out an online application on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website. The application asks for your personal information, travel history, and background details. There is no fee to submit the application.

After you submit the application, CBP reviews it and sends you a notification within a few days to a week. If approved, you schedule an in-person appointment at a Global Entry enrollment center. These centers are located at major airports and some other locations across the country. The appointment is brief — usually 10 to 15 minutes — and involves verifying your identity, taking your photo and fingerprints, and answering a few questions about your background and travel plans.

Once you complete the interview, you pay the $100 fee and receive your Global Entry card in the mail within one to two weeks. Some people receive conditional approval and can use the program immediately with a temporary number while waiting for their physical card to arrive, though this varies by enrollment center.

Which U.S. Airports Have Global Entry Kiosks

Global Entry kiosks are available at most major U.S. airports, including Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York (JFK, LaGuardia, Newark), Chicago, Dallas, Denver, San Francisco, Miami, and Boston. However, not every U.S. airport has them yet. Smaller regional airports may not have kiosks, which means you would go through the regular customs line even with a Global Entry card.

Before you enroll, check the CBP website or call your home airport's customs office to confirm whether Global Entry kiosks are available there. If you travel frequently to a smaller airport that does not have kiosks, Global Entry will not help you on those trips, though you still get the TSA PreCheck benefit for domestic flights from any airport.

If you travel internationally but your home airport does not have Global Entry kiosks, you can still use the program at other U.S. airports where you might connect or land. For example, if you fly from a small regional airport to an international destination and connect through Atlanta, you can use Global Entry when you land in Atlanta.

How Global Entry Differs From Standard Customs Processing

In the regular customs line, you stand in queue with all other passengers, hand your passport and customs declaration form to an officer, answer questions about your trip and what you are bringing back, and wait while the officer reviews your information and decides whether to inspect your baggage. This process can take 30 minutes to over an hour during peak travel times, especially at busy airports.

With Global Entry, you bypass the human-staffed line entirely and use a self-service kiosk to answer the same questions. A customs officer still reviews your information and can ask follow-up questions, but the kiosk system moves people through faster because it processes multiple travelers simultaneously and handles the routine questions without requiring an officer's time for each person.

The trade-off is that you pay $100 upfront and must go through a background check and interview. If you travel internationally only once every few years, the cost may not be worth it. If you travel internationally several times per year, the time savings add up quickly.

TSA PreCheck Benefits Included With Global Entry

When you enroll in Global Entry, you automatically receive TSA PreCheck benefits for domestic flights. This means you can use expedited security screening lanes at U.S. airports on flights within the United States, even when you are not traveling internationally. You keep your shoes, belt, and light jacket on, leave your laptop and liquids in your bag, and move through security faster than passengers in the regular line.

You do not pay extra for TSA PreCheck when you have Global Entry — it is included in the $100 five-year fee. If you were considering paying for TSA PreCheck separately (which costs $78 to $85 for five years), Global Entry is a better value because you get both programs for $100.

Your Global Entry card works as your TSA PreCheck credential. You present it at the security checkpoint on domestic flights, and the TSA officer will direct you to the PreCheck lane.

Renewal and What Happens When Your Card Expires

Global Entry membership lasts five years from the date you complete your in-person interview. About six months before your card expires, CBP sends you a notification that renewal is available. You can renew online by paying the $100 fee again and submitting an updated application. You do not need to attend another in-person interview unless CBP requests one, which is uncommon for routine renewals.

If your card expires and you have not renewed, you lose access to the Global Entry kiosks and TSA PreCheck lanes. You would go through regular customs and security screening on your next trip. You can renew at any time, even after expiration, but you cannot use the program while your membership is lapsed.

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement through the CBP website. There may be a small fee for a replacement card, though CBP sometimes waives it for cards damaged in transit.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Global Entry if I am not a U.S. citizen?

No. Global Entry is only for U.S. citizens and nationals. If you are a permanent resident or visa holder, you cannot enroll. However, some other countries have reciprocal programs that offer similar benefits for their citizens traveling to the United States.

What if I have a criminal record or immigration issue?

CBP conducts a background check as part of the enrollment process. Certain criminal convictions, immigration violations, or security concerns can result in denial. If you are unsure whether you will be approved, you can submit the application and see what happens — there is no fee to apply. If denied, CBP will notify you of the reason.

Do I need Global Entry if I already have TSA PreCheck?

If you only fly domestically, TSA PreCheck alone is sufficient. Global Entry is worth it if you travel internationally several times per year and want to skip the customs line. Since Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, you would not need to pay for both separately.

Can I use Global Entry at airports outside the United States?

No. Global Entry only works at U.S. airports when you are returning to the United States. Some other countries have their own trusted traveler programs, but Global Entry does not provide benefits in other countries.

What if the Global Entry kiosk is broken or not working?

If the kiosk is down, you go through the regular customs line like everyone else. You do not get a refund or credit for that trip. This is rare, but it can happen during system maintenance or technical issues.