Is Global Entry the same as TSA PreCheck?

TSA PreCheck® provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of their membership.



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Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck? Yes, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits so you don't need to sign up for both programs.

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Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of their membership.

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If you mostly travel domestically and want access to expedited security screening, TSA PreCheck may make sense for you. If you travel internationally and want access to faster customs screening upon reentry to the U.S., consider Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck, instead.

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Global Entry Benefits
  • No processing lines.
  • No paperwork.
  • Access to expedited entry.
  • Available at major U.S. airports.
  • Reduced wait times.


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  • Global Entry costs slightly more than TSA PreCheck alone.
  • Global Entry is not available at as many airports as TSA PreCheck.
  • Global Entry application processing times are subject to delays depending on the time of the year.


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Global Entry is everything that TSA PreCheck is and more. If you have Global Entry, you'll automatically also get TSA PreCheck and all of its benefits. On top of that, you'll get to avoid the general customs line when returning to the U.S. from abroad.

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Global Entry is a federal program allowing members faster screening when returning to the U.S. A five-year membership is $100 and includes TSA Precheck. The Trusted Traveler Programs website estimates application processing times of four to six months for Global Entry.

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Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports. At airports, program members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration.

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The most common problem is that their date of birth or government “known traveler number” has been entered incorrectly into a reservation. Other times, the name on the itinerary doesn't match the name used to enroll in PreCheck, Global Entry or one of the other government programs.

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Notably, Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck membership. This means that travelers with Global Entry can enjoy a faster screening process whether they're traveling domestically or returning to the United States after a trip abroad.

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U.S. citizens and U.S. lawful permanent residents enrolled in Global Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI are eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck®, as well as Canadian citizens who are members of NEXUS.

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A $100 one-time fee is required with your Global Entry application and must be paid at time of application submission through the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) system. You can pay by credit card or through an electronic bank transfer. The fee is non-refundable, even if an application is denied.

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Of course, you'll also need to be arriving from a flight abroad, but at least you can complete the interview without an appointment. It is possible to handle the Global Entry walk-in interview on arrival if you plan.

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If you're approved, at the end of the interview, you'll immediately be enrolled into the program and be given your Known Traveler Number (KTN). Your Global Entry membership card will arrive in the mail anywhere between seven to 10 business days after approval and you have 30 days to activate your card.

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My travel companions (children, spouse, or co-travelers) are not Global Entry members; can they come through the Global Entry lane with me? No, only Global Entry members can use the Global Entry lanes.

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