If you're tired of waiting in long lines after traveling abroad, you might want to apply for Global Entry — especially if your credit card reimburses you for the application fee.
Issued by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Global Entry expedites the customs process for approved American citizens, permanent residents and citizens from certain other countries. It's valid for five years and comes with free TSA PreCheck.
We review who is eligible for Global Entry, how to apply and which credit cards will cover the cost of your application.
What we'll cover
- Who is eligible for Global Entry?
- How does Global Entry work
- How to apply for Global Entry
- Credit cards that cover the cost of Global Entry
- Bottom Line
How does Global Entry work?
More than 70 airports in the US and Canada — including Los Angeles International Airport, Chicago O'Hare International Airport and New York's John F. Kennedy International Airport — have automated Global Entry kiosks. After you disembark, go to the kiosk and scan your passport or U.S. permanent resident card. After you place your finger on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration form, you'll get a receipt and can exit.
Global Entry travelers may still be required to go through an additional security examination and admission into the program can be revoked if any terms and conditions are broken.
Who is eligible for Global Entry?
Most U.S. citizens and permanent residents are eligible for Global Entry. (Applicants under 18 must have the consent of a parent or legal guardian)
Citizens of the following countries can also apply, according to CBP.
- Argentina
- Brazil
- Bahrain
- Canada (through membership in the NEXUSprogram)
- Colombia
- Germany
- India
- Mexico
- The Netherlands
- Panama
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
There may be additional Global Entry requirementsdepending on your country of citizenship.
Individuals who have broken immigration laws in any country are ineligible for Global Entry, as is anyone convicted of a crime or the subject of an investigation. For a full list of reasons for ineligibility, check the CBP website.
How to apply for Global Entry
If you meet the eligibility requirements, you can apply for Global Entry. The process can take up to several months, so be sure to apply far in advance of any overseas travel.
- Create a Trusted Traveler Programs account on the CBP website and complete an online application. There is a $100 non-refundable fee (though, with the right credit card, you can get reimbursed).
- If and when your application is approved, you'll be instructed to schedule an in-person interview.
- During the interview, a CBP officer will ask questions, take your photo and scan your fingerprints. In addition to a driver's license or other valid ID, bring your passport or machine-readable permanent resident card.
Credit cards that cover the cost of Global Entry
If you don't want to shell out $100 for Global Entry, there are credit cards that will reimburse your application fee.
One of CNBC Select's top picks for travelers, the Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card offers a statement credit of up to $100 toward a Global Entry application every four years. There's also a welcome bonus of 75,000 points after you spend over $4,000 in the first three months. That's worth $750 when redeemed for travel purchases or potentially even more when transferred to Capital One's airline and hotel partners.
Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card
Learn More
Rewards
5 Miles per dollar on hotel and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel, 2X miles per dollar on every other purchase
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening
Annual fee
$95
Intro APR
N/A for purchases and balance transfers
Regular APR
19.99% - 29.99% (Variable)
Balance transfer fee
$0at the Transfer APR, 4% of the amount of each transferred balance that posts to your account at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer to you
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Terms apply.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® credit card also offers a $100 Global Entry credit every four years. It hasa$550 annual fee but benefits like an annual travel credit of up to $300 and access to over 1,500 airport lounges with Priority Pass Select membership (valued at approximately $469) can make it a worthwhile expense.
New cardholders can also earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠ — and could be worth even more if you transfer those points and redeem them with one of Chase's airline or hotel partners, like United or Hyatt.
Chase Sapphire Reserve®
On Chase’s secure site
Rewards
Earn 5X total points on flights and 10X total points on hotels and car rentals when you purchase travel through Chase Travel℠ immediately after the first $300 is spent on travel purchases annually. Earn 3X points on other travel and dining & 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases plus, 10X points on Lyft rides through March 2025
Welcome bonus
Earn 75,000 bonus points after you spend $4,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening. That's $1,125 toward travel when you redeem through Chase Travel℠.
Annual fee
$550
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
22.49% - 29.49% variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fee
None
Credit needed
Excellent
Terms apply.
Read our Chase Sapphire Reserve® review.
Another way to get reimbursed for Global Entry is with a United℠ Explorer Card, which costs $0 the first year and then $95 each year thereafter. Travel rewards include 2 points for every $1 spent on flights, restaurants and hotels, as well as 1 point per $1 spent on all other purchases.
There is also a 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months of opening the card.
United℠ Explorer Card
On Chase's secured site
Rewards
2 miles per $1 spent on United purchases; 2 miles per $1 spent on dining, eligible delivery services and hotel stays; 1 mile earned on every $1 spent on all other purchases
Welcome bonus
Earn 50,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open.
Annual fee
$0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $95
Intro APR
None
Regular APR
21.99% - 28.99% Variable
Balance transfer fee
5%, minimum $5
Foreign transaction fees
None
Credit needed
Excellent/Good
Member FDIC. Terms apply.
FAQ
Which is better, TSA PreCheck or Global Entry?
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, which costs $78 if you apply separately. So, if you plan on traveling both overseas and domestically, Global Entry is probably a better bang for your buck.
How does my Global Entry work?
Once you receive final approval, scan your passport or residency card at a kiosk at customs, place your fingerprints on a scanner for verification, and sign a customs declaration. Once you get a receipt, you'll be directed towards an exit.
How much does Global entry cost in 2024
There is a $100 non-refundable application fee.
Bottom line
Global Entry is a government program that allows approved travelers to skip long lines at customs and head to an automated kiosk. There is a $100 application fee, but many premium credit cards will reimburse you.
Subscribe to the CNBC Select Newsletter!
Money matters —so make the most of it. Get expert tips, strategies, news and everything else you need to maximize your money, right to your inbox.Sign up here.
Why trust CNBC Select?
At CNBC Select, our mission is to provide our readers with high-quality service journalism and comprehensive consumer advice so they can make informed decisions with their money. Every review is based on rigorous reporting by our team of expert writers and editors with extensive knowledge of products. While CNBC Select earns a commission from affiliate partners on many offers and links, we create all our content without input from our commercial team or any outside third parties, and we pride ourselves on our journalistic standards and ethics.
Catch up on CNBC Select's in-depth coverage ofcredit cards,bankingandmoney, and follow us onTikTok,Facebook,InstagramandTwitterto stay up to date.
Read more
Get reimbursed for your Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee with these credit cards
TSA PreCheck vs. Global Entry vs. CLEAR: What's the difference?
How to apply for Global Entry
Editorial Note: Opinions, analyses, reviews or recommendations expressed in this article are those of the Select editorial staff’s alone, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any third party.
