Global Entry 2026: NEW Biometric Rules You MUST Know (Updated Guide)

What Is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that lets approved travelers skip the regular passport line when returning from international travel. Instead of waiting with everyone else, you go straight to a dedicated lane.

The membership costs $120 and lasts five years. It also includes TSA PreCheck at no extra charge, so you get faster security screening on domestic flights too. That makes Global Entry one of the best travel investments available if you fly internationally even once a year.

What Changed in 2026: No More Kiosks

The biggest change is the removal of the old kiosks. They are gone at most major airports.

Previously, you walked up to a kiosk, scanned your passport, filled out a customs declaration on screen, and got a printed receipt to hand to a CBP officer. That process has been replaced by a smartphone-based system built around the CBP One app.

Now the process works like this: Before your flight lands, you open CBP One and complete your customs declaration digitally. When you reach the Global Entry lane, a facial recognition camera verifies your identity against your biometrics on file. You get clearance in seconds. No kiosk. No printed receipt. No fumbling with a screen.

If you do not have a smartphone, CBP officers can assist you at the airport. But the mobile process is now the standard for all enrolled members.

Who Qualifies for Global Entry?

Most U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents are eligible. Citizens of several other countries also qualify through reciprocal agreements, including Canada, Germany, the Netherlands, South Korea, and Mexico. Check the CBP website to confirm your country of citizenship is included.

You are not eligible if you have any of the following:

• A felony conviction of any kind
• A drug-related conviction or pending charge
• A conviction for fraud or misrepresentation
• Customs, immigration, or agriculture law violations
• A violation of any federal law or regulation

Past arrests or charges — even those that did not result in a conviction — can affect your approval. CBP reviews each application individually. Disclose everything fully. Trying to hide a legal issue is far more damaging than the issue itself.

How to Apply: Step by Step

The application is done online through the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) system at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Here is the full process from start to finish:

1. Create a Login.gov account. You need this to access the TTP system. Go to login.gov and create an account with your email. You will need to verify your identity during setup.
2. Apply in the TTP system. Log in at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov, select Global Entry, and complete the application. This includes your personal information, five years of travel history, employment history, and background questions. Be thorough — vague answers create problems at your interview.
3. Pay the $120 fee. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied. Pay by credit card inside the TTP system.
4. Wait for conditional approval. CBP reviews your application in the background. This typically takes a few weeks but can take longer during busy periods. You will receive an email notification and a status update inside the TTP system.
5. Schedule your interview. Once conditionally approved, log back into TTP and book an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. New slots open on the first Monday of each month at 9am local time — that is the best time to check.
6. Attend your interview and get approved. Bring all required documents. The interview takes 10 to 15 minutes. After passing, your Global Entry card arrives by mail within a few weeks.

Important: You have 730 days (two years) from conditional approval to complete your interview. Miss that window and you must restart the application from the beginning — including paying the fee again.

What to Bring to Your Interview

Missing even one required document means your appointment gets canceled. Bring everything on this list:

• Valid U.S. passport — or foreign passport if applying as a non-U.S. citizen
• One secondary photo ID (driver’s license, state ID, or military ID)
• Proof of residency with your current address (utility bill, bank statement, or lease)
• All passports used in the past five years, including expired ones
• Green Card if you are a permanent resident
• Certified court disposition papers for any past arrests or charges

What Happens at the Interview

A CBP officer reviews your application and documents, then asks a set of standard questions. Typical questions cover why you are applying, your recent international travel, your employment, and whether you have had any legal issues.

After the questions, the officer collects your biometrics — ten fingerprints and a digital photo. These are stored in the CBP system and used to identify you at the Global Entry lane on every future trip.

Be honest throughout. CBP cross-references your interview answers against your application and government records. Inconsistencies — even small ones — are one of the most common reasons for denial. The whole interview takes about 10 to 15 minutes if your documents are complete.

For a full breakdown of every question CBP officers ask and the most common reasons for denial, read our companion guide: Global Entry Interview: What They Ask & What Gets You Denied (2026).

Enrollment on Arrival: Skip Scheduling an Appointment

If you travel internationally while conditionally approved, you may be able to complete your enrollment interview when you land back in the U.S. This is called Enrollment on Arrival and it is available at 69 major airports.

Washington Dulles (IAD) and Miami International (MIA) also offer Enrollment on Departure — complete your interview before your international trip rather than after.

At the Airport: How the New Process Works

Once you are enrolled, here is what the 2026 mobile-based process looks like when you return from an international flight:

1. Download and set up the CBP One app before your trip — do this at home, not at the airport.
2. During your flight or just before landing, open CBP One and complete your customs declaration digitally.
3. After landing, follow signs to the Global Entry lanes (separate from regular passport control).
4. At the lane, hold up your phone. A facial recognition camera matches your face to your enrollment biometrics.
5. Once verified, you receive a clearance notification on your phone. Show it to the CBP officer and proceed to baggage claim.

The entire airport process takes under a minute for most members. That is the whole point of the program.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Being Vague About Your Travel History

CBP has access to your travel records. If your application lists different countries or dates than what they see, it raises red flags immediately. List every country visited in the past five years, including brief layovers where you exited the secure zone.

2. Showing Up to Your Interview Missing Documents

The officer cannot proceed without your required documents. Your interview gets canceled on the spot. You then have to reschedule — which can mean waiting weeks for another slot. Double-check your document list the night before your appointment.

3. Not Disclosing Past Legal Issues

Failing to disclose an arrest or charge — even one that was dropped — is grounds for immediate denial. CBP treats it as dishonesty, which is disqualifying on its own. Disclose everything and bring your court disposition papers. Many people with past issues still get approved.

4. Waiting Too Long to Schedule Your Interview

You have 730 days after conditional approval to complete your interview. That sounds like a lot of time. It is not. Appointment slots fill up fast. Schedule as soon as you are conditionally approved.

5. Not Setting Up CBP One Before Your Trip

The new airport process requires the CBP One app to be set up in advance. Do not wait until you are boarding your flight home. Download it, verify your account, and familiarize yourself with the customs declaration process before you travel.

Action Checklist

• Create a Login.gov account at login.gov
• Apply for Global Entry at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
• Pay the $120 non-refundable application fee
• Wait for conditional approval (typically a few weeks)
• Schedule your interview — check TTP on the first Monday of each month at 9am for new slots
• Gather all required documents before your interview
• Attend your interview — biometrics collected on-site
• Receive your Global Entry card by mail
• Download the CBP One app and set it up before your next international trip
• Complete your customs declaration in-app before landing on every future trip