If you travel internationally and want faster entry to the U.S., Global Entry usually offers better value: $120 for five years, including TSA PreCheck eligibility. If you mainly fly within the U.S. and want a simpler application process, TSA PreCheck may be enough.
TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening when departing from U.S. airports. Global Entry speeds up entry to the United States after international travel, and members generally also receive TSA PreCheck eligibility.
Program comparison
Global Entry and TSA PreCheck compared
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck eligibility. If you already hold a valid Global Entry membership, you generally do not need to pay for TSA PreCheck separately.
| Item | Global Entry | TSA PreCheck |
|---|---|---|
| Main use | Faster entry to the U.S. after international travel, plus TSA PreCheck eligibility | Expedited security screening at U.S. departure airports |
| Not included | Does not replace passports, visas, or customs declarations | Does not speed up immigration or customs on arrival in the U.S. |
| New application fee | $120 per person; non-refundable after submission | About $76.75–$85 per person in the listed examples; varies by provider |
| Membership | 5 years | 5 years |
| In-person step | CBP interview after Conditional Approval | Document verification, photo, and fingerprints at an authorized location |
| Children | Every child needs an individual Global Entry membership | Some minors may accompany an eligible parent; see the age rules below |
✓ International trips and faster U.S. entry as well as departure screening
✓ Travelers able to wait for review and attend a CBP interview
✓ Families willing to apply separately for each member
— Mostly U.S. domestic flights
— An upcoming trip and a need for more convenient enrollment locations
— Departure security only, without a need for faster U.S. entry
Who can apply?
Global Entry is available to U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and eligible citizens of certain partner countries. Every applicant undergoes a background check. Incomplete or false information, criminal or pending cases, customs or immigration violations, or an inability to establish low-risk status can lead to denial.
TSA PreCheck applicants generally must be U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents. Check the official eligibility rules for your nationality and immigration status before applying.
Which should you choose?
If you expect international travel in the next five years, Global Entry covers both U.S. entry and TSA PreCheck for a relatively small additional fee. It can be especially useful when you regularly return through international airports such as Houston, New York, or Los Angeles.
If you mainly fly domestically or have no international trips planned, TSA PreCheck has more enrollment locations and a generally simpler in-person process. Existing Global Entry members usually do not need to apply for PreCheck separately.
Fees and validity
A new Global Entry application costs $120 per person for five years. Payment is due when you submit, and the fee is not refunded if you are denied. Some credit cards reimburse a Global Entry or TSA PreCheck fee; check your card terms before paying.
TSA PreCheck also lasts five years. Published new-enrollment examples are $76.75 through IDEMIA and $85 through Telos; CLEAR pricing may differ. Compare the location, appointment availability, and final fee on your chosen provider's official page.
Applying with children
Global Entry has no minimum age, but every child—including a baby—needs a separate TTP application and membership. Children cannot use a parent's membership. Applicants under 18 need parental or legal-guardian consent, and a parent or legal guardian must attend the interview.
Since October 1, 2024, the Global Entry application fee is waived for applicants under 18 when a parent or legal guardian is already a Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI member or has a relevant application pending. If this condition is not met, the standard application fee may apply.
TSA PreCheck works differently: children 12 and under may accompany an eligible parent or guardian even without a PreCheck indicator on the child's boarding pass. Children ages 13–17 must travel on the same reservation as their parent or guardian and have the TSA PreCheck indicator on their own boarding pass. Children who fly alone or on separate reservations can consider their own membership.
For U.S. domestic travel, TSA generally does not require travelers under 18 to show identification at security, though airlines may have their own requirements. International travel still requires the passport, visa, and other documents appropriate to the child's nationality and destination.
How to apply for Global Entry
1. Create an individual account through the U.S. government's Trusted Traveler Programs website. Each applicant, including infants, needs a separate application; one application does not cover a family.
2. Enter the past five years of addresses, employment, and travel, plus passport and permanent-resident-card details as applicable. Check that the name, date of birth, and document numbers exactly match the documents before submitting and paying.
3. Wait for CBP review. Once the account shows Conditional Approval, schedule an Enrollment Center interview or use Enrollment on Arrival when returning on an eligible international flight.
4. After approval, use your PASSID in the Known Traveler Number (KTN) field in your airline profile and each booking. This allows TSA PreCheck to appear on eligible boarding passes; expedited screening is not guaranteed for every trip.
How to apply for TSA PreCheck
Start at the official TSA PreCheck website, select an authorized provider, enter your information, and choose an enrollment location. Some locations accept walk-ins, but an appointment is usually more reliable.
At the enrollment location, staff verify your documents, take a photo and fingerprints, and collect the provider's fee. Once approved, add your Known Traveler Number to your airline profile and every booking. TSA says most applicants receive a KTN within 3–5 days, but some applications take up to 60 days. Do not leave enrollment until a day or two before departure.
What to bring to the Global Entry interview
Adults should bring a valid passport and another form of identification, such as a driver's license or state ID. U.S. permanent residents should also bring their machine-readable permanent resident card. Children need their own passport or applicable documents and a parent or legal guardian present. Bring your appointment confirmation too.
The interview checks identity and application details. Questions may cover addresses, employment, international travel, and customs, immigration, or legal history. Answer consistently with your application and explain any changes since submission. CBP makes the final approval decision.
Finding the interview office at Houston IAH
The public-area Global Entry Enrollment Center is on the Arrivals level of Terminal E at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH). The official address is 3870 North Terminal Road, Houston, TX 77032. Listed office hours are Monday–Friday, 7:00 a.m.–3:00 p.m.; check your appointment confirmation and the official page before leaving.
Follow airport signs for Terminal E, International Arrivals, and Parking. C/D/E Garage is a convenient option. If road or garage arrangements change, you can park in A/B Garage and take the free, landside underground Subway to D/E. Do not use the airside Skyway, which requires security access. At Terminal E, go to the public Arrivals level and look for Global Entry or CBP signs; ask airport staff if needed.
The $6 charge is not a Global Entry interview fee: it is the listed tax-inclusive terminal-garage price for 1–2 hours. Published rates are $1 for 0–10 minutes, $5 for 11 minutes–1 hour, $6 for 1–2 hours, $8 for 2–3 hours, $10 for 3–5 hours, and a $25 maximum for 5–24 hours. Rates can change. Check the airport website on the day and allow time to park and walk.
No appointment available? Enrollment on Arrival
Applicants with Conditional Approval who arrive at IAH on an international flight may use Enrollment on Arrival at Terminal E International Arrivals. A separate appointment is generally not required, but you must already have submitted your online application and received Conditional Approval.
In the immigration arrivals area, look for Global Entry Enrollment or Enrollment on Arrival signs. Tell a CBP officer you need the interview before leaving the controlled customs area. IAH lists an Enrollment on Arrival window of 5:00 a.m.–midnight, subject to CBP operations on the day.
IAH Steps
How to get to the interview location
Navigate to IAH Terminal E / 3870 North Terminal Road
Use C/D/E Garage, or park in A/B and take the underground Subway
Go to the public Arrivals level of Terminal E
Find Global Entry / CBP signs, or ask airport staff
DETAILS TO CONFIRM
Confirm the following
before booking.
International travel
A few international trips over five years can make Global Entry more useful than PreCheck alone.
Children flying alone
Age, whether the booking is shared, and the boarding-pass indicator affect whether children can accompany a parent through PreCheck.
Interview plans
Wait for Conditional Approval, then choose a scheduled interview or Enrollment on Arrival after an international flight.
Credit-card reimbursement
Some travel cards reimburse an application fee once every few years. Check the terms before paying.
OFFICIAL SOURCES
Check current rates, policies, and schedules
Article updated: September 5, 2026. Fees, openings, and processing windows may change, so verify with official pages on your travel date.