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
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 NEXUS program)
- Colombia
- Germany
- India
- Mexico
- The Netherlands
- Panama
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Taiwan
- United Kingdom
There may be additional Global Entry requirements depending 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 $120 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 $120 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 $120 toward a Global Entry application every four years. There's also a welcome bonus: Enjoy $250 to use on Capital One Travel in your first cardholder year, plus earn 75,000 bonus miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within the first 3 months from account opening - that’s equal to $1,000 in travel.
The Capital One VentureOne Rewards Credit Card earns transferrable miles, which is a stand-out benefit for a no-annual-fee card.
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No annual fee
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
- No travel credits and limited travel protections
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a bonus of 20,000 miles once you spend $500 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $200 in travel
- $0 annual fee and no foreign transaction fees
- Earn unlimited 1.25X miles on every purchase, every day
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Enjoy 0% intro APR on purchases and balance transfers for 15 months; 18.49% - 28.49% variable APR after that; balance transfer fee applies
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
3% for the first 15 months; 4% at a promotional APR that Capital One may offer you at any other time
Foreign transaction fee
None
The Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card has a reasonable annual fee and earns flexible travel rewards, which makes it a great travel card for beginners or heavy travelers.
- Valuable welcome offer worth at least $750 in travel
- You can transfer miles to over 15 Capital One partners, including Emirates Skywards, Choice Privileges and Singapore Airlines KrisFlyer
- No foreign transaction fees
- Lacks ongoing travel benefits such as statement credits or lounge access
- Limited bonus spending category that only applies to certain Capital One Travel bookings
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn a one-time bonus of 75,000 miles once you spend $4,000 on purchases within 3 months from account opening, equal to $750 in travel
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, every day
- Earn 5X miles on hotels, vacation rentals and rental cars booked through Capital One Travel
- Miles won't expire for the life of the account and there's no limit to how many you can earn
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®
- Use your miles to get reimbursed for any travel purchase—or redeem by booking a trip through Capital One Travel
- Enjoy a $50 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Lifestyle Collection
- Transfer your miles to your choice of 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Top rated mobile app
Balance transfer fee
$0 at 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
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® (see rates and fees) also offers a $120 Global Entry credit every four years. It has a $795 annual fee but benefits like access to over 1,300 airport lounges with Priority Pass Select membership (valued at approximately $469) can make it a worthwhile expense.
New cardholders can also earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening — 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.
The Chase Sapphire Reserve® is a standout premium credit card with plenty of luxury perks and statement credits to justify its annual fee.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests.
- Up to $300 in annual travel credit each account anniversary year
- You can transfer rewards to all of Chase's travel partners including World of Hyatt, Southwest Rapid Rewards and many more
- Top-tier travel and shopping protections
- High annual fee
- Requires a high credit score
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn 150,000 bonus points after you spend $6,000 on purchases in the first 3 months from account opening.
- Get $3,000 in annual value with Sapphire Reserve.
- Earn 8x points on all purchases through Chase TravelSM, including The EditSM and 4x points on flights and hotels booked direct. Plus, earn 3x points on dining worldwide & 1x points on all other purchases
- $300 annual travel credit as reimbursement for travel purchases charged to your card each account anniversary year.
- Access over 1,300 airport lounges worldwide with a complimentary Priority PassTM Select membership, plus every Chase Sapphire Lounge® by The Club with two guests. Plus, up to $120 towards Global Entry, NEXUS, or TSA PreCheck® every 4 years
- Get up to $150 in statement credits every six months for a maximum of $300 annually for dining at restaurants that are part of Sapphire Reserve Exclusive Tables.
- Count on Trip Cancellation/Interruption Insurance, Auto Rental Coverage, Lost Luggage Insurance, no foreign transaction fees, and more.
- Get complimentary Apple TV+, the exclusive streaming home of Apple Originals. Plus Apple Music — all the music you love, across all your devices. Subscriptions run through 6/22/27 — a value of $288 annually
- Member FDIC
Balance transfer fee
Either $5 or 5% of the amount of each transfer, whichever is greater
Another way to get reimbursed for Global Entry is with the United℠ Explorer Card (see rates and fees), which costs $0 the first year and then $150 each year thereafter. Travel rewards include 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases. 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
There is also a welcome bonus: Earn up to 80,000 bonus miles: Earn 70,000 bonus miles after you spend $3,000 on purchases in the first 3 months your account is open. Plus, earn 10,000 bonus miles after you add an authorized user to your account in the first 3 months your account is open.
The United℠ Explorer Card is worth it even if you only fly with United Airlines once or twice a year because you can take advantage of two United Club℠ passes per year when the primary cardmember or authorized user is traveling and you can receive free checked bags.
- No annual fee for the first year
- Unlocks upgrades for elite members on award flights
- Two free United Club airport lounge passes every year
- Valuable United Airlines perks, such as in-flight purchase discounts and the ability to earn elite status credit through credit card spending
- First checked bag free benefit requires you to pay for the flight with the card
- United Airlines has a dynamic award chart which can limit the value and flexibility of your miles
Highlights
Highlights shown here are provided by the issuer and have not been reviewed by CNBC Select's editorial staff.
- Earn up to 60,000 bonus miles
- $0 introductory annual fee for the first year, then $150
- NEW! 9x total miles on eligible United flights and 3x miles on all other eligible United® purchases
- 2x miles on dining and hotel stays when booked with the hotel. 1x mile on all other purchases.
- Free first checked bag - a savings of up to $200 per roundtrip. Terms Apply. Plus, priority boarding on United® flights.
- 2 United Club one-time passes per year - over a $100 value
- Over $500 in partner credits each year
- NEW! Save 10% or more when booking flights with miles. Premier members save even more.
- Member FDIC
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 $120 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 $120 application fee, but many premium credit cards will reimburse you.
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