If you’re an international traveler, you already know that traveling out of the country can be a pain. There are paperwork, forms, and generally lots of bureaucracy involved in getting out of the country. Global Entry: A Traveler’s Best Friend
However, thanks to an initiative called Global Entry, there’s an easy way to get through customs when you come back into the country: just flash your membership card and head through security faster than ever before!
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Why you need it
You may know that you can use your U.S. passport to travel to and from other countries, but did you know that it makes re-entry into your home country quicker? In addition to being helpful for international travelers, Global Entry is also a great resource for U.S. citizens because it offers expedited entry into the U.S., allowing members in most cases to bypass lines at customs and immigration when entering and leaving America by air via designated kiosks located in major airports.
If you’re planning on traveling internationally in or out of North America, consider applying for Global Entry today! You can apply on their website; if accepted, membership lasts for five years or until your passport expires—whichever comes first.
How much does it cost?
In general, Global Entry costs $100 for five years, though if you’re a member of another trusted traveler program (such as Nexus or SENTRI), you can get it for free.
It’s also worth noting that if you’ve already paid $10 to enter the United States via TSA Precheck, you won’t need to pay for Global Entry. While your first application is free and good for up to five years, there are some fees involved with renewing it—the price varies based on how quickly you want your new card to arrive.
If four months isn’t cutting it for you, it’ll cost an extra $50; if your card expires in less than two weeks and you need a new one ASAP, adding another $15 will cover any expedited shipping charges.
What are your benefits?
Global entry’s benefits are wide reaching. The program allows members to clear customs at more than 150 airports in approximately 40 countries with expedited processing – saving time and money. It also provides travelers access to TSA Pre-Check, which gives them faster screening through security checkpoints.
Finally, global entry offers air travel applicants a way to pay a $100 fee (in lieu of applying for a visa) when visiting certain countries once every five years.
Where can you apply for a visa?
Obtaining a visa may sound difficult, but there are many steps you can take to ensure a smooth process. If you’re planning on traveling overseas, start by doing some research on your destination country. What documentation do they require of American citizens? When is their application deadline?
Asking yourself these questions will allow you to make an informed decision about whether or not it’s worth pursuing a visa.
For example, if your trip is purely for tourism and business meetings are not part of your itinerary, you might not need a visa at all!
The interview process
Applying for Global Entry is a bit more complicated than applying for TSA PreCheck. The process begins with an online application, which is then considered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers.
To speed up processing, you’ll also need to submit fingerprints and pay a $100 non-refundable fee. Once your application has been approved, you’ll be notified via email and will receive a new interview date within three weeks of being selected.