Global Entry is a special system that allows U.S. citizens and Lawful Permanent Residents to skip the long processing lines and security checks at international entry points to the United States. Applicants are pre-screened and, if determined to be low-risk, given an identification number that allows them to use special kiosks upon returning to the U.S., bypassing the miserable queues of incoming travelers and heading straight to the baggage claim.
It's a handy perk for frequent travelers that removes a lot of unpleasantness from international arrivals.
When Global Entry was introduced in June 2008, the fee to apply was $100. There the cost has stood, unchanged for nearly 16 years.
But the price is finally about to go up. On April 2, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced that the cost of applying for Global Entry will rise to $120 on October 1, 2024.
You can't say the government has been hasty on this one. Fifteen years is a long time to leave a price unchanged. You could even say the federal government is being conservative with its hike, because $100 in 2008 would be more like $140 today, considering inflation. Getting Global Entry for $120 is a comparative bargain.
The fee is collected when the application or renewal request is filed. Membership is good for 5 years, after which travelers can apply for renewal at the same price.
Kids under 18 can obtain the same membership as a parent or guardian for no cost.
Travelers who apply for Global Entry before October 1 can still get the original, lower application fee of $100. Some credit cards, like the Chase Sapphire Preferred, automatically refund that expense as part of the card's standard benefits.
Obtaining an interview for Global Entry, which is required as part of the application process, can be difficult. Time slots have historically been booked up for months in advance. Mindful of the backlog and the inconvenience, CBP recently launched the Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival program, which allows a conditionally approved applicant to simply meet with an officer the next time the applicant is entering the United States at an airport.
Also on October 1, the price of SENTRI, which allows expedited passage for travelers entering the U.S. in dedicated primary lanes at southern land border ports, is moving to a flat $120 qualifying fee. SENTRI isn't commonly used for tourism, though, and neither is NEXUS, which allows for quick, pre-processed transit between the U.S. and Canada, and is favored by people who need to make that border crossing often. As with the other programs, the price for NEXUS is rising to $120.
Most casual travelers on vacation will simply use Global Entry, which is granted for 5-year terms.
Membership in Global Entry automatically comes with membership in TSA PreCheck, eliminating the need to pay another $78 to apply for that program separately.
Also on Frommer's: How to Apply for TSA PreCheck or Global Entry
