How to Become a Global Entry Member (You’ll Save Time AND Travel Stress!)

Posted: April 14, 2021

The best $100 I’ve ever spent on travel expenses is on Global Entry membership.

As a traveler with many mental health problems, including obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) and social anxiety, my stress can kick in easily, especially at airports where the intense security measures trigger my OCD.

Which is why I never leave home without Global Entry.

Global Entry members enjoy expedited entry through customs upon arriving in the United States by plane, car, or boat from another country since they have already established themselves as a low-risk, trusted traveler. The $100 Global Entry membership lasts for five years, so that’s only $20 a year! Plus, it comes with TSA Precheck, which quickens the process going through American airport security scanners.

My favorite part of Global Entry is how it can spare you from lots of travel stress. First of all, you save time by skipping long lines of weary travelers. And while the security guards treat everyone equally as a suspect, you experience less tight scrutiny.

After exiting the plane I caught from Costa Rica to the U.S (specifically Fort Lauderdale, Florida), hordes of people lined up on one side of the hallway for customs. Meanwhile, I strode down the other empty side, just for Global Entry members. As other travelers trudged on in the packed line, I could see their sleepy faces saying, Wish I could be on that side.

First, I went to a kiosk that identified me by snapping a photo of my face, then printed out a receipt. I showed it, plus my ID, to a few customs guards. From the plane to baggage claim, customs only took five minutes! Think of all the extra time I spent afterwards, enjoying my longest layover of 24 hours in sunny Florida.

I want you to enjoy these benefits, too, so I’ve highlighted the eligibility requirements and explained the process of applying for Global Entry:

Who is eligible?

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. lawful permanent residents
• Citizens of the following countries:
  • Argentina
  • India
  • Colombia
  • United Kingdom
  • Germany
  • Panama
  • Singapore
  • South Korea
  • Switzerland
  • Taiwan
  • Mexican nationals
• Citizens of Canada: You will get your Global Entry benefits through the NEXUS program.

Here is more information about eligibility.

How to apply for Global Entry

To establish yourself as a low-risk traveler, you will have to provide your identifying information on the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s online application and be interviewed by a customs officer.

Don’t wait until the last minute just before your international trip to begin your application. Do it as soon as you can because you might have to wait up to a few months for your application to be approved.

To apply for Global Entry, here are the steps that you need to take:

1. Create an online Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.
2. Once logged into your account, fill out the online application and pay the $100. Allocate plenty of time to answer all the questions.
3. Wait for Customs and Border Protection to review your application (for me in 2019, I had to wait two months) and mark it as “conditionally approved.” Since they never emailed me about the status change for some reason, I recommend that you log into your TTP every day or so to check.
4. Once you receive instructions to schedule an in-person interview at an eligible Global Entry Enrollment Center, do it quickly because spots can fill up fast.
5. If you are able to schedule an interview: On interview day, bring a valid passport and another identification document, like a driver’s license. For U.S. lawful permanent residents, you’ll also need your machine-readable permanent resident card. Because of my OCD fear of airport security, I was nervous, but I had no reason to be — the interview was fast and straightforward. After you answer the guard’s few questions, let them take your photo, and scan your fingerprints, you’re fully approved and can start using Global Entry.
6. If you want a walk-in interview: You can do it as part of the customs process when you arrive at a few specific airports within the United States from a foreign country. Certain airports in Aruba, the Bahamas, Bermuda, Canada, Ireland, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) offer walk-ins, as well. For a list of airports that offer Enrollment on Arrival, click here. Present your passport, documents proving your residency, and if you have it, your permanent resident card.

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For only $20 a year for Global Entry membership, you can experience a faster and easier customs process when arriving in the United States, thus saving time and travel stress.

I would say Global Entry is beneficial for your mental health too, especially if you have certain conditions. Because I have an OCD fear of airport security, Global Entry reduces my mental load.

If you would like another item to reduce your airport travel stress, be sure to grab this free lanyard!

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Featured image by mohamed Hassan from Pixabay