What is Global Entry and how do you get it?

After a long international trip, you may be ready to get home. But first, you’ll have to go through customs to reenter the U.S. And that line might be longer than you’d like. The Global Entry program can help you bypass that line when you arrive stateside.

Take a look at how this program works and what you need to do to apply.

What you’ll learn:

• Global Entry helps travelers bypass long lines at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) checkpoints when arriving in the U.S.

• It costs $120 to enroll in Global Entry. If approved, the membership lasts for five years.

• An application and in-person interview are required to be approved for Global Entry.

• Many travel credit cards, including some Capital One cards, reimburse cardholders for the Global Entry application fee.^*

Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) that lets you bypass customs lines when entering more than 75 U.S. airports.

With Global Entry, you can use automated kiosks rather than waiting in line to speak with a customs agent. At the kiosk, you’ll submit your passport and declare any goods. Then you’ll either be directed to a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer or cleared to go.

Global Entry allows you to visit a kiosk when passing through customs, avoiding long lines and paperwork. If the kiosks are down for any reason, you’ll jump to the head of the regular customs line. Plus, you’ll be able to access TSA PreCheck® when traveling domestically through airport security and NEXUS and SENTRI when reentering the U.S. by land or sea from Canada or Mexico.

To qualify for the Global Entry program, you must be a U.S. citizen, legal permanent resident or citizen of the following countries:

• Argentina

• Bahrain

• Brazil

• Colombia

• Germany

• India

• Mexico

• The Netherlands

• Panama

• Singapore

• South Korea

• Switzerland

• Taiwan 

• United Kingdom

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can also use Global Entry if they’re members of the NEXUS program.

Applying for Global Entry requires a $120 nonrefundable fee, and the membership lasts for five years. If you travel internationally often, it may be worth the cost.

That said, the fee is nonrefundable, even if the application is denied. And if you renew your membership, you’ll need to pay the fee again.

Some travel credit cards, like Venture, Venture X, Spark Miles and Venture X Business, offer a statement credit of up to $120 for the Global Entry fee.

Signing up for Global Entry can take several months. Here are the steps to apply:

First, you’ll need to create a TTP account. Every member of your household who’s applying for Global Entry needs an account, no matter their age.

After setting up a TTP account, you can complete the application and pay the $120 fee.

Once you complete the application, pay the fee and receive conditional approval, you’ll schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.

You’ll need to bring the following to your interview:

• Valid passport

• Form of ID, like your driver’s license or ID card

• Proof of address, like a utility bill

• A permanent resident card for lawful permanent residents

If you’re approved after the interview, you should receive your Global Entry card within two to four weeks to use at NEXUS and SENTRI checkpoints. But you’ll still need a passport or permanent resident card at a Global Entry kiosk.

The average time for conditional application approval is two weeks. An element most under your control and the surest way to speed up the process is the scheduling of your interview. A few key tricks may be able to help expedite the process.

New appointment slots typically become available on the first Monday of each month at 9 a.m. local time. Searching for an appointment right when new appointments become available can help.

Slots may open up due to cancellations. If you check back frequently, you may be able to snag a slot that just opened.

Busy airports near large population centers tend to have more appointment slots.

Through Enrollment on Arrival (EoA), CBP offers the option for those entering one of several designated international airports to complete their Global Entry interviews upon arriving in the United States.

Whether Global Entry is worth signing up for depends on your travel habits. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends enrolling in Global Entry if you travel internationally more than three times a year. But if you travel more within the U.S., there may be other options for speeding up airport lines.

While Global Entry is an option for frequent international travelers, it’s not the only program that can save you time while traveling. Here are a couple of other programs to consider:

TSA PreCheck® allows qualified travelers to navigate through domestic airport security faster. Travelers with TSA PreCheck® can access lines with shorter wait times and don’t have to remove their belts, shoes, outerwear, laptops or small liquids.

TSA PreCheck® costs between $78 and $85 to enroll. It may not help you move through international customs checkpoints faster, but it can cut down on security wait times in U.S. airports.

Mobile Passport Control (MPC) lets you submit customs declarations, photos and travel information through a mobile app. Travelers who use MPC could access a priority line at customs and avoid filling out paper forms.

MPC may not allow you to skip the line at customs checkpoints, but it can still speed up the process of reentry into the U.S. The program is free, but it’s not available at every airport.

Here are the answers to a few frequently asked questions about the Global Entry program:

If you travel internationally often, Global Entry can speed up the customs process when reentering the country. And with included access to TSA PreCheck®, you could save time when you leave and when you come home.

Have more travel plans in your future? Learn how a travel rewards card from Capital One could help you cover your Global Entry application fee and earn rewards on future trips.