Global Entry and CBP trusted traveller programs: how they work

The CBP trusted traveller programs

CBP describes Global Entry as a voluntary international trusted traveller program for pre-approved, low-risk air travellers, with dedicated CBP processing at specified airports ¹. Members are vetted when they apply and on an ongoing basis after they join ².

CBP runs three other programs ¹. SENTRI gives dedicated processing at listed land border crossings on the US-Mexico border. NEXUS is a joint program of the United States and Canada. FAST serves pre-approved commercial truck drivers at land border cargo crossings and has different vetting and benefits ¹. TSA PreCheck, which speeds up airport security screening, is a separate DHS program run by the Transportation Security Administration ¹.

CBP says Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS offer nearly reciprocal benefits ¹. Since a 2024 rule, Global Entry covers travellers to US territories and travellers processed at CBP preclearance sites outside the United States ¹.

Who can apply

CBP's eligibility page, checked on 19 October 2026, lists US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, citizens of Germany, the Netherlands, Panama and South Korea, and Mexican nationals ³. Canadian citizens and residents get Global Entry benefits through NEXUS membership ³.

CBP has signed arrangements with more partner countries. In March 2023, when Croatia joined, CBP named 14 partner countries with full arrangements, among them Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Colombia, India, Singapore, Switzerland, Taiwan and the United Kingdom ⁶. Travellers should check CBP's international arrangements page for the current list.

CBP may refuse applicants who give false or incomplete answers, have a criminal conviction, pending charges or outstanding warrants, have broken customs, immigration or agriculture laws in any country, are under investigation, are inadmissible to the United States, or cannot show they are low risk ³. Applicants under 18 need consent from a parent or legal guardian ³.

Fees and membership

A rule published on 2 April 2024 set one fee for the three main programs. From 1 October 2024, the Global Entry fee rose from $100 to $120, and the SENTRI fee fell from $122.25 to $120 ¹. CBP said a uniform $120 fee across Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS was needed to recover a reasonable part of its costs ¹. The NEXUS fee is split, with two-thirds of the revenue going to the United States and one-third to Canada ¹.

The fee is non-refundable and applies to new applicants and renewals ¹. Each membership lasts five years, which CBP put at $24 a year ¹. Children under 18 pay nothing when a parent or legal guardian is already a member of, or applies at the same time for, Global Entry, SENTRI or NEXUS ¹. CBP received $252.7 million in Global Entry fees in fiscal year 2022 ¹.

As of 19 October 2026, CBP's how to apply page still showed the old $100 fee ⁴. The $120 figure comes from the 2024 rule ¹.

Applying and the interview

Applications go through the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) System at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov, formerly called GOES ¹. Every applicant needs a separate account, children included ⁴. After CBP reviews the application, conditionally approved applicants book an interview ⁴.

The interview is with a CBP officer and includes fingerprinting ¹. Applicants bring a valid passport and one other form of ID, and lawful permanent residents bring their permanent resident card ⁴. A parent or legal guardian must attend a minor's interview ¹.

Global Entry and NEXUS applicants can use Enrollment on Arrival. They do the interview at a participating airport when they land on an international flight, with no appointment needed ¹.

At the airport: from kiosks to facial portals

The first Global Entry kiosks were fixed machines. Members had their photo and fingerprints taken, answered customs questions on screen and got a paper receipt ². In August 2023, CBP said it was moving to Global Entry portals and a Global Entry Mobile app, and expected all legacy kiosks to be retired by the end of 2023 ².

The portals are mobile units with a screen and camera. They take the traveller's face image and match it with the photo from the application, then send an electronic record to a CBP officer at the exit ². Members make a verbal customs declaration to the officer in place of on-screen questions ². CBP planned the mobile app for five airports from summer 2023: Los Angeles, Miami, Houston, Fort Lauderdale and Washington Dulles ².

In March 2023, CBP said Global Entry had more than 10 million members and processing at 77 US airports ⁶.

Mobile Passport Control

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) is open to travellers who are not Global Entry members. CBP lists it for US citizens and Canadian citizen visitors ⁵. Travellers set up a profile in a free authorised app, and after landing they pick their airport and airline, take a selfie and answer CBP questions ⁵. The app returns a QR code receipt, and the traveller shows it with their passport to an officer in a dedicated lane ⁵.

CBP lists MPC at 27 US airports and 4 seaports ⁵. Apps are free, and CBP says it collects no fee from app developers ⁵. A household can hold up to 12 profiles and submit them in one transaction ⁵.

The 2026 suspension

DHS halted Global Entry arrival processing at 6:00 am on 22 February 2026 during a partial federal government shutdown ^7,8. Members had to use designated manual processing lines ⁷. TSA PreCheck stayed open ^7,8.

A DHS spokesperson said Global Entry was reactivated at 5:00 am Eastern Time on 11 March 2026 ⁹. Executive Traveller reported that the shutdown was still going on at that point ⁹.