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Trusted traveler programs trade a background check and a fee for shorter lines. The right one depends on whether you leave the country.
Trusted traveler programs pre-screen you so that the government can move you through lines faster. They’re run by two agencies: the Transportation Security Administration handles airport security, and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) handles arrivals into the country.
How the programs compare
| Program | Run by | Main benefit | Fee | Lasts |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck | TSA | Faster security screening at U.S. airports; shoes, belts and light jackets stay on | About $77–$85, depending on the provider | 5 years |
| Global Entry | CBP | Faster re-entry into the U.S., plus TSA PreCheck | $120 | 5 years |
| NEXUS | CBP and Canada | Faster U.S.–Canada crossings, Global Entry and PreCheck | $120 | 5 years |
| SENTRI | CBP | Faster entry from Mexico at land borders, plus Global Entry and PreCheck benefits | $120 | 5 years |
CBP raised the Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI fees to $120 on October 1, 2024.
How to apply
- TSA PreCheck: apply online, then visit an enrollment center for fingerprints and an ID check.
- Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI: apply through CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs website, wait for conditional approval, then complete an interview. Global Entry’s Enrollment on Arrival lets conditionally approved applicants finish the interview when they land from an international trip at participating airports.
Travel tip
Check your credit card benefits before paying. Many travel cards reimburse the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee once every few years. Apply for Global Entry rather than PreCheck if you travel abroad at least once a year, since it includes both.
Free options
CBP’s Mobile Passport Control app lets eligible travelers submit passport and customs information on their phone and use a dedicated line at many U.S. airports, with no fee and no application.
Keep your membership working
Add your Known Traveler Number to every airline reservation, matching the name exactly. Renew before expiration; many renewals are online and don’t need an interview. A trusted traveler card also counts as acceptable ID at TSA checkpoints; see REAL ID and airport ID rules. And for anything that goes wrong after you’re through security, see airline refund rights.
Before you go
- TSA PreCheck speeds up domestic security screening and costs roughly $77 to $85 for five years, depending on the enrollment provider.
- Global Entry costs $120 for five years, speeds up re-entry to the U.S. and includes TSA PreCheck.
- NEXUS and SENTRI cost $120 and add faster crossings at the Canadian and Mexican borders.
- Many credit cards reimburse the application fee, and CBP’s Mobile Passport Control app is free.
Travelers also ask
Q: Do my kids need their own membership?
A: For Global Entry, NEXUS and SENTRI, each traveler needs a membership, but children under 18 don’t pay the application fee when a parent is a member or applies at the same time. For TSA PreCheck, children 17 and under can usually go through with an enrolled parent on the same reservation.
Q: What if I’ve been arrested or had a customs violation?
A: Applications can be denied for criminal history or past customs or immigration violations. If you’re denied, the notice explains how to ask for reconsideration.
Q: Is CLEAR the same thing?
A: No. CLEAR is a private company that verifies identity with biometrics to skip the ID check line. It isn’t a government trusted traveler program and doesn’t replace PreCheck screening.
Fees, processing times and agency rules change, and airline and hotel policies vary. This guide is general information for travelers in the U.S.; confirm the current rules with the agency, airline or hotel before you travel.
