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Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) screening program that allows low-risk, pre-approved, international travelers expedited entry into the United States. And it's not just helpful for international travel. Global Entry members enjoy TSA PreCheck access as well. That makes Global Entry an excellent tool for frequent travelers. Even better, you can get Global Entry for nothing out of pocket through various travel rewards credit cards.
But if you're reading this post, you already know about how amazing Global Entry is. And, like me, your Global Entry expiration date is coming up.
Here's what you need to know about the Global Entry renewal process.
Page Contents
When Does Your Global Entry Membership Expire?
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ties your Global Entry membership expiration date to your birthday. So, if you have a birthday coming up, it's worth checking if this is the one on which your Global Entry membership will expire.
To find your Global Entry expiration date, log into your Trusted Traveler Program dashboard. Scroll down to the “Program Memberships” section to see your expiration date.
If your expiration is within the next year — as mine is at the time of writing — you'll see a large blue box reminding you to renew your Global Entry membership.
When Can You Renew Your Global Entry Membership?
You can renew your Global Entry membership anytime within a year of your expiration date. That means you have from one birthday to the next to complete the process and extend your membership.
The good news is that there's no penalty for renewing your Global Entry membership early. CBP simply adds five more years to your membership whenever you complete the process. That means if you renew your membership 11 months before your expiration date, you won't have to worry about your membership expiring for another five years and 11 months.
How to Submit a Global Entry Renewal
Since my Global Entry membership is up for renewal, let's walk through the process together. First, you'll need to log into your Trusted Traveler Program dashboard. Logging in generally requires a Login.gov account and two-factor authentication through an authentication app. So, make sure you have your phone handy. You'll also likely want your passport and driver's license on hand.
Once logged in, scroll down to your “Program Memberships” and click “Renew Membership.”
Next, you'll need to confirm your citizenship status. If you aren't a United States citizen, you'll need to answer additional questions and bring additional documents to your interview.
Selecting which program(s) to apply for
The first step in renewing is to select your preferred Trusted Traveler program. For most AwardWallet readers, this is likely to be Global Entry. However, if you frequently travel by car between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico, you can consider applying for NEXUS or SENTRI instead.
Global Entry Trusted Travelers re-enter the United States through expedited lanes in airports. However, you need NEXUS or SENTRI to use the expedited lanes when driving between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico.
Note that I'm renewing just before the Global Entry application fees increase. Starting October 1, 2024, CBP is harmonizing the application fees for Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI at $120. Don't worry about this fee increase if you plan to use a credit card statement credit to offset your application fee. That's because credit card issuers have increased their statement credits to match the higher application fee.
If you're renewing Global Entry, you'll next be asked if you plan to fly internationally into the U.S. in the next six months. If so, you may be able to complete your Global Entry interview — if required — upon arrival.
You'll have the option to add an APEC Business Travel Card to your application. This program costs an additional $70 and is designed for frequent business travelers to Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) countries. Carrying an APEC card effectively grants you Global Entry-like fast-track entry upon arrival in Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore, South Korea, and even Chile.
Next, you must acknowledge the application requirements for renewing your Global Entry membership. Customs and Border Protection will complete a background check as part of your Global Entry renewal. This page states in no uncertain terms that you'll need to schedule an interview — or complete your interview on arrival back into the United States — once you're conditionally approved.
If you agree to the terms, click the “Apply for Global Entry” button at the bottom of the page.
Filling out your Global Entry renewal application
Next, you either confirm or update all your personal information. Since you're completing a Global Entry renewal instead of applying for the first time, your application will be pre-filled using information you've previously provided.
You'll need to confirm or correct information, including:
- Full name and date of birth
- Email address and phone number
- Gender, eye color, height
- Previous names (if applicable)
- Passport information
- Driver's license information
- Vehicle information — only if you plan to drive across the border with Canada or Mexico
- Current address info
- Current employment information — and past employment for the past five years
If your passport or driver's license has changed since your last application — as mine had — you'll need to provide the details of these new ID cards. So, you might want to have them on hand to avoid your application timing out.
Finally, you'll be prompted to select which countries you’ve visited since your last application. If you travel frequently or don't have good records, this might be the most time-consuming part of your application.
Need help compiling your travel history? Check your AwardWallet Travel Summary for an exportable file with details of which countries you visited. Just click the countries tab and then click the “Export With Dates” button to download the file.
If you've visited the Korean peninsula, be careful when choosing which Korea you select from the country list. Hint: South Korea is the “Korea – Republic Of” option. North Korea is officially the “Democratic People's Republic Of Korea.”
Lastly, you'll be asked background questions about any criminal history, if you've been denied entry to the U.S., any customs violations, and immigration violations.
If you answer no to all of these, you can proceed to review your Global Entry renewal application. Then, you must view and acknowledge a couple of privacy statements before you can certify your application.
Pay your Global Entry renewal application fee
The final step before submitting your application is paying the non-refundable application fee. Many travel cards offer a statement credit to offset this fee, so choose your card wisely. (See the next section for a list of recommendations.) Once your payment is processed, it will return to the main menu which displays your current application status.
Which Credit Card Should You Use to Pay Global Entry Application Fee?
Many cards offer a statement credit that will offset the Global Entry (or TSA PreCheck) application fee. Note that this isn't an annual credit. Instead, you'll only be reimbursed every four to five years — depending on the card's terms.
Here's a roundup of the best cards that offer a Global Entry application fee reimbursement:
| Card | Credit Frequency | Annual Fee |
|---|---|---|
| The Platinum Card® from American Express | 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first | $695 (Rates & Fees) |
| The Business Platinum Card® from American Express | 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first | $695 (Rates & Fees) |
| Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card | 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first | $650 (Rates & Fees) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card | 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first | $350 (Rates & Fees) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card | 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first | $350 (Rates & Fees) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card | 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first | $650 (Rates & Fees) |
| Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card | 4 years for Global Entry or 4.5 years for TSA PreCheck depending on whichever application fee is charged to your eligible card first | $650 (Rates & Fees) |
| Chase Sapphire Reserve® | 4 years | $550 (Rates & Fees) |
| The Ritz-Carlton™ Credit Card | 4 years (Global Entry application only) | $450 |
| Aeroplan® Credit Card | 4 years | $95 (Rates & Fees) |
| The New United Club℠ Card | 4 years | $695 (Rates & Fees) |
| The New United℠ Explorer Card | 4 years | $0 intro annual fee for the first year, then $150 (Rates & Fees) |
| The New United Quest℠ Card | 4 years | $350 (Rates & Fees) |
| Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card | 4 years | $199 (Rates & Fees) |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card | 4 years | $99 (Rates & Fees) |
| IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card | 4 years | $99 (Rates & Fees) |
| Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card | 4 years | $95 |
| Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card | 4 years | $395 |
| Capital One Venture X Business | 4 years | $395 |
| Capital One Spark Miles for Business | 4 years | $0 introductory fee for the first year; $95 after that |
| Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard® | 4 years | $595 |
| Citi Prestige® Card | 4 years | $495 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude™ Reserve Visa Infinite® Card | 4 years | $400 |
| U.S. Bank Altitude® Connect Visa Signature® Card | 4 years (Up to $100 statement credit only) | $0 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card | 4 years (Up to $100 statement credit only) | $95 |
| Bank of America® Premium Rewards® Elite Credit Card | 4 years | $550 |
| PenFed Pathfinder® Rewards Visa Signature® | 4 years | $95 (waived for existing PenFed Honors Advantage Members) |
| HSBC Premier World Mastercard® credit card | 4.5 years (Up to $85 statement credit only) | $95 |
| HSBC Premier World Elite Mastercard® credit card | 4.5 years | $495 |
| Choice Privileges® Select Mastercard® | 4 years | $95 (Rates & Fees) |
| One Key+™ Card | 4 years | $99 (Rates & Fees) |
| USAA Eagle Navigator® Credit Card | 4 years | $95 (Rates & Fees) |
| Emirates Skywards Premium World Elite Mastercard® | 4 years | $499 |
| JetBlue Premier Card | 4 years | $499 |
Enrollment is required for select Amex benefits.
How to Check Your Global Entry Application Status
Submitted your Global Entry renewal and wondering about your application status? Just log back into your Trusted Traveler Program dashboard and scroll down to the “applications in progress” section to see the latest status of your Global Entry application.
If your Global Entry renewal application hasn't been approved yet, you'll see an hourglass icon next to the “wait for conditional approval” line.
Or, if your application has been approved without requiring an interview — as I was lucky enough to experience — you'll find your application status in the “program membership” section noting that your application has been approved:
Global Entry Renewal Application Timeline
On its website, the Department of Homeland Security warns that initial Global Entry applications “can exceed 90 days.” However, that backlog doesn't seem to be affecting Global Entry renewals — at least as of writing.
I submitted my Global Entry renewal on Monday, September 9 and received a message on Tuesday, September 10 that my application had been accepted — no interview required!
I can't imagine that this incredibly quick turnaround time is common, and it's worth mentioning one extenuating circumstance: I was scheduled to arrive in Los Angeles (LAX) on September 12, and CBP was surely aware of this fact.
It's possible that my renewal was bumped to the front of the line so that Customs and Border Protection could decide whether or not I should complete an interview upon arrival on that date. That's even more incentive for you to get your Global Entry renewal application in before your next international trip!
For rates and fees of the cards mentioned in this post, please visit the following links: USAA Eagle Navigator® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees), IHG One Rewards Premier Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Quest℠ Card (Rates & Fees), The New United℠ Explorer Card (Rates & Fees), The New United Club℠ Card (Rates & Fees), Aeroplan® Credit Card (Rates & Fees), Chase Sapphire Reserve® (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Reserve American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Delta SkyMiles® Platinum American Express Card (Rates & Fees), Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant® American Express® Card (Rates & Fees), The Business Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees), and The Platinum Card® from American Express (Rates & Fees)
The comments on this page are not provided, reviewed, or otherwise approved by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser's responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Things are looking up: got a message that “There has been a recent change to the status of your application. Please login to the Trusted Traveler Programs Website (https://ttp.dhs.gov) for more information.” My application “has been approved” – by which I understand that they want the additional monies. Done. and thus: “Your payment was accepted and your application has been submitted”
So apparently it’s in some limbo between “acceptance” and actual approval. As I said, we’ll try to getting the interview on our next international arrival at LAX.
Well, finally got the SENTRI renewal started! Sort of embarrassing – all I needed to do was click on Global Entry. At that point I finally got the option to renew the SENTRI program.
Interestingly, my wife had figured out the process ahead of me, and after paying the preliminary fee, she got an email today (3-4 days later) informing her that her app was approved and she should pay the remaining fee. So things are looking up.
As best I can tell, it seems you still have to have an interview. We’re going to try it on our next international arrival at LAX.
Interesting if slightly confusing article in the LA Times today: https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-09-24/global-entry-not-received-what-to-do
anyone having big delays in Global entry approval? Submitted my application in April. It is still pending conditional approval.
I applied for Global Entry in 2014 – and also applied for SENTRI. Now I want to renew my Global Entry, but also want to remain eligible for SENTRI. I have the same vehicle as I was approved for SENTRI. Do I simply apply for Global Entry, or do I need to apply to also renew SENTRI?
As far as I can tell, you want to renew SENTRI and you will automatically be eligible for Global Entry Kiosks.
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/frequently-asked-questions
Yes – that seems sensible. If it only worked. When I try to renew SENTRI all I’m offered is Global Entry. The additional Trusted Traveler programs (under “Apply For Another Program” are greyed out on the website.
I’ve sent an email asking for support.
Appreciate your interest, and if I get an answer from CBP I will post it.
Thanks! Sorry to hear it’s been a hassle. We’d appreciate to know what you learn on navigating the process.
I will have to do this soon.
Can Global Entry be used when returning from Canada or Mexico by Air?
Yes, indeed.
Thanks!!
I am due for my TSA Pre-CHeck Renewal coming up this spring. Is there an quick online renewal option for that? I was considering Global Entry and it might be time to convert over. I would be nice to have an online renewal option in the future.
Yes, online is easy.
Thanks for all the info on this, Nice to see us International visitors can arrange this also 🙂
Thanks. This just saved me some time and some money!
Thanks for the blog post. It reminded me that my membership is up early next year. Since I’m here, I went ahead and renewed early. Now I’m just waiting on the CC reimbursement 🙂
I was wondering about this. Thanks for letting us know. The credit card reimburse is nice too.
Also, the HSBC Premier World Credit Card, besides the Elite, offers a TSA Precheck refund.
Thanks; added.
33 countries?! Wow! Your passport must be full. How many times have you had to get extra pages?
This is good info to have when the times comes for me to get Global. Right now I use the Mobile Passport app.
Seems to speed up things for me and my family for now, since we do not travel as much with the kiddos. School
and our jobs just don’t let us.
I know people say the interview process isn’t too daunting but I admit that’s kinda holding me back, too.
I think I need to go back and revisist your global posts for more info.
so many credit cards offer the refund now, that my whole family cost nothing to get this
Thanks! Prompted me to check my Pre-check expiration date – unfortunately it is exactly 5 years and not tied to birthdate.
NEXUS is ideal for families who travel, kids under 18 are free, so just $100 total to have 2 adults and 2 kids with TSA PreCheck, Global Entry and Nexus.
Bookmarking this for when I need to renew in 5 years. Just did the original this past month – very easy. Was about 1 week from online app to being able to schedule interview. Interview was quick and was basically just going over rules (like don’t get arrested or you will lose your GE) and getting pic taken/fingerprints. Had approval within 1 hour of the interview.
Thank you for the walk through. I was a little perplexed by their new website and process.
I definitely need to check on the date that my Global Entry. I don’t want to have it expire since I use it a lot (though not every week) Other than the regular benefits, I have found that by showing my Global Entry card at Canadian Airport Security Checkpoints I am allowed to go to the front of the line, just as Nexus Card holders may do. I haven’t tried it in a ground border crossing though (and I probably wouldn’t try) I have plenty of cards now that will cover the renewal fee.
Thanks for the info. It just reminded me about renewing early next year.
good update. reminds me to check my passport experation.
Good info reference the actual expiration date; thanks. I’ve used mine for entry only once – it was a speedy process coming from Germany. My spouse just got her GE, so we can enjoy it early next year when we return from Asia.
These entry cards sound like another form of long term electronic visas to me.
What if you have moved residences (more than once) in the past five years? Is that going to be a problem?
Nope! Not at all. I moved five times since I originally became a Global Entry member. Just make sure to document all your previous addresses and the correlating dates you resided at each one. The hardest part filling out that section was remembering all the different zip codes. Had to double check old bills and Amazon order confirmations to be sure.
This is so great and detailed! When they ask for countries visited do you count countries that you were just in the airport, waiting for your connecting flight to the final destination?
Include a country if you have a passport stamp. Don’t include transit countries as you technically never entered the country.
And when do we receive our Global Entry card? Does the new card reflect the new renewal date (that’s the only way you know the renewal date)?
I received my Trusted Traveler card about six weeks after submitting my renewal application. You can see my exact timeline at the very bottom of the post listed in bullet points.
Just ran into this today. Didn’t even realize my global entry had expired. Why don’t we get notice when it’s time to renew?
Good info regarding birthdate and expiration date. Didn’t realize what it was based on. Can plan better knowing this. Thanks!
Thank you.
Can you share your experience changing your name on you Global entry account?
Sure! I went through that a few years ago. Basically it’s the same process. Just make sure you get a new passport with your new name first. After that, you login to your account and initiate the process online. Unfortunately, you will be required to go to a Global Entry office to present your new passport and, in my case, marriage certificate.
Definitely another upvote for Global Entry and TSA Precheck. Though I will say that PreCheck is very hit or miss at different airports with limited times. Also, lately more issues with Global Entry kiosks not working or limited at different airports.
Thank you for that, ICG!
I’m a veteran travelerbut new with award wallet.
I just paid $85 for tsa pre check…was approved and got my ktn number.
But the Nexus idea sounds good for another $50.
Also…can you recommend a couple good CCs to apply for…looking for bonus points or miles and annual extras…without points or miles ever expiring.
I guess I missed out on the 100,000 miles cards a few days ago…might that come ba k.
Appreciatively
TGA
TGA take a look here: https://awardwallet.com/blog/the-best-rewards-credit-cards-for-each-spending-category/
Perfect time for this info since we were just getting ready to renew. Thanks for the detail process! We have loved having Global Entry and TSA Pre for our travels. It’s a no-brainer for international travelers!
If you live near an airport by the US/Canada border, definitely consider applying for Nexus. It’s only $50 and includes Nexus, Global Entry and Pre-check! Half off the just GE price with an added benefit.
I live nowhere near Canada, but for those that do, it’s a shame that with so many credit cards offering TSA PRE / GE credits, I don’t think a single one of them can be used for Nexus.