Global Entry 2026: NEW Biometric Rules You MUST Know (Updated Guide)
Updated for 2027: the Global Entry app stopped working on September 15, 2026 and was replaced by the Trusted Traveler App. See our Global Entry 2027 guide for the current process, interview options and a free updated PDF.
$120
Application fee / 5-year membership
14M+
Active Global Entry members
69
Airports with Enrollment on Arrival
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.
Global Entry 2026: What Changed, and 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. At many airports that process has been replaced by Global Entry touchless portals, which use facial comparison and print no receipt.
Now the process works like this: Since September 15, 2026, members can also confirm their arrival in the free Trusted Traveler App at participating airports. 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:
- 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.
- 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, because vague answers create problems at your interview.
- Pay the $120 fee. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied. Pay by credit card inside the TTP system.
- Wait for conditional approval. CBP reviews your application in the background. CBP says 80% of applications are approved within two weeks; some take 12 months or longer. You will receive an email notification and a status update inside the TTP system.
- Schedule your interview. Once conditionally approved, log back into TTP and book an in-person appointment at an enrollment center. Availability varies by location. You can also skip the appointment with Enrollment on Arrival after an international flight.
- Attend your interview and get approved. Bring all required documents. U.S. citizens and permanent residents then get a card by mail; CBP says 2 to 4 weeks after approval. You do not need the card at the airport.
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:
- Optional: install the free Trusted Traveler App at home and sign in with your existing account.
- At participating airports, confirm your arrival in the app.
- After landing, follow signs to the Global Entry lanes (separate from regular passport control).
- At the lane, hold up your phone. A facial recognition camera matches your face to your enrollment biometrics.
- 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. Keeping the Retired Global Entry App
The Global Entry app stopped working on September 15, 2026. If you want mobile arrival, install the Trusted Traveler App at home and sign in with your existing account before you travel. Your membership did not change, and you do not need to reapply.
Military members
Global Entry fee. CBP lists no military fee waiver for Global Entry, so the $120 fee applies.
TSA PreCheck. Members of the U.S. Armed Forces enter their DoD ID number as their Known Traveler Number and do not need to opt in. DoD civilian employees must opt in once. For a fuller comparison of the two programs, see our TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry guide.
Action Checklist
- Create a Login.gov account at login.gov
- Apply for Global Entry at ttp.dhs.gov
- Pay the $120 non-refundable application fee
- Wait for conditional approval (CBP says 80% within two weeks; some take 12 months or longer)
- Complete your interview within two years: book an enrollment center, or use Enrollment on Arrival after an international flight
- Gather all required documents before your interview
- Attend your interview, with biometrics collected on site
- U.S. citizens and permanent residents receive a card by mail (you do not need it at the airport)
- Add your Known Traveler Number (PASSID) to every airline reservation to get TSA PreCheck
- Optional: install the Trusted Traveler App, which replaced the Global Entry app on September 15, 2026
Download the Free Guide
Get the complete Global Entry 2026 Application & Interview Guide as a free PDF. Everything you need, formatted for easy reference.
Global Entry membership costs $120 and lasts five years. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied. Membership also includes TSA PreCheck at no extra charge for both domestic and international travelers.
It depends on the airport. Many airports now use Global Entry touchless portals, which use facial comparison and print no receipt. Members can also confirm arrival in the Trusted Traveler App at participating airports.
Conditional approval typically takes a few weeks but can take longer during busy periods. After conditional approval, you have 730 days to complete an in-person interview, or your application and $120 fee are forfeited.
You are not eligible if you have felony, drug, fraud, or misrepresentation convictions, or any customs, immigration, agriculture, or federal law violations. CBP reviews each case, so disclose every past arrest. Hiding a legal issue is more damaging than the issue itself.
Bring your valid U.S. passport, one secondary photo ID, proof of current residency, all passports used in the past five years, your Green Card if applicable, and certified court disposition papers for any past arrests. Missing one document cancels the appointment.
No. U.S. citizens, 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. Confirm eligibility on the CBP website before applying.
Enrollment on Arrival lets conditionally approved applicants complete their interview when returning from an international flight, skipping a separate appointment. It is offered at 69 major U.S. airports. Washington Dulles and Miami also allow Enrollment on Departure before international trips.
Yes. Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck for the same five-year period at no extra cost. That makes Global Entry the better value for any traveler who flies internationally even once a year.
