Global Entry Cost
CBP says the Global Entry application fee is $120 and membership lasts for five years, which is $24.00 a year by arithmetic; 8 CFR 103.7(d)(13) sets the fee.
Maintained by Archie Chang · Sources checked against TSA, CBP, eCFR and Federal Register text on November 2, 2026 · Methodology & sources
The fee and how long it lasts
When we checked on November 2, 2026, the CBP Global Entry page said:
“Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. The application fee is $120, and membership lasts for five years. All applicants must undergo a background check.”
| What | Amount or length | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Application fee | $120 | CBP; 8 CFR 103.7(d)(13) |
| Membership length | 5 years | CBP; 8 CFR 235.12(d)(3) |
| Applicant under 18 who applies concurrently with a parent or legal guardian, or whose parent or legal guardian is already a participant | Exempt from the application fee | 8 CFR 103.7(d)(13) |
| Applicant under 18 in any other case | $120 | Federal Register 89 FR 22607 |
The CBP “How to Apply” page adds:
“A $120 one-time fee is required with your Global Entry application and must be paid at time of application submission through the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) system. You can pay by credit card or through an electronic bank transfer.”
“The fee is non-refundable, even if an application is denied.”
The regulation and the rule behind $120
The fee is in the Code of Federal Regulations. The eCFR text in force on October 29, 2026, the most recent issue date the eCFR accepted when we checked on November 2, 2026, reads:
“(13) Global Entry. For filing an application for Global Entry—$120. Minors under the age of 18 who apply to the Global Entry program concurrently with a parent or legal guardian, or whose parent or legal guardian is already a participant of Global Entry, are exempt from payment of the application fee.”
The membership length is in the Global Entry program regulation:
“Every applicant accepted into Global Entry is accepted for a period of 5 years provided participation is not terminated by CBP prior to the end of the 5-year period. Each applicant may apply to renew participation up to one year prior to the close of the participation period.”
The $120 amount comes from a CBP final rule, “Harmonization of the Fees and Application Procedures for the Global Entry and SENTRI Programs and Other Changes,” published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2024 (89 FR 22607). It says:
“DATES: This rule is effective October 1, 2024.”
“Upon the effective date of this rule, the Global Entry fee will be increased from $100 to $120, and the total SENTRI fee will be decreased from $122.25 to $120.”
| Period | Application fee | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Until September 30, 2024 | $100 | Federal Register 89 FR 22607 |
| From October 1, 2024 | $120 | Federal Register 89 FR 22607; 8 CFR 103.7(d)(13) |
On renewal, the same document says:
“The new $120 application fee applies to new applicants and to participants who are renewing their memberships for both the Global Entry and SENTRI programs.”
Applicants under 18
CBP’s pages and the regulation word the fee exemption for minors differently. Each wording is quoted below with its page’s last-modified date, and the sources differ; this page does not say which wording governs a case where a parent’s application is pending. The Eligibility page (last modified Oct 27, 2026) says:
“There is no minimum age requirement for Global Entry. However, if you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program. Your parent or legal guardian does not have to be a Global Entry member.
Regardless of your age, you must:
Create a Global Online Enrollment System account;
Pay a $120 non-refundable application fee, the only exception is for minors (under 18) with a legal guardian enrolled in the program or in pending status the fee for the minor is waived; and
Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. If you are under the age of 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present at time of interview.”
The Global Entry page (last modified Jul 09, 2025) says:
“Submit and pay for your individual application (Minors are free with a parent already in or applying for Global Entry.)”
The How to Apply page (last modified Nov 27, 2024) states a fee with no exception, quoted in full under the fee heading above.
The regulation quoted above and the Federal Register rule state the exemption this way:
“Through this final rule, CBP is updating the regulations to provide that, for the Global Entry and SENTRI programs, minors are exempt from the application fee if they apply concurrently with a parent or legal guardian or if their parent or legal guardian is already a participant of the same program to which the minor is applying. Otherwise, the minor will be required to pay the $120 fee.
If the minor's parent or legal guardian is already an existing participant of Global Entry, SENTRI, or NEXUS, the minor will be required to enter the parent or legal guardian's name and trusted traveler number to allow CBP to verify this information.”
The table above shows the wording of 8 CFR 103.7(d)(13) and the Federal Register rule.
What the fee includes
CBP lists these benefits:
“Global Entry Benefits
Available at major U.S. Airports
Reduced wait times in expedited processing lines
TSA Precheck access
Available to use at land borders”
“*While Global Entry’s goal is to speed travelers through the process, members may still be selected for further examination when entering the United States. Any violation of the program’s terms and conditions will result in the appropriate enforcement action and termination of the traveler’s membership privileges.”
TSA’s FAQ explains how the TSA PreCheck access is used:
“Your trusted traveler card will not grant you access to TSA PreCheck® lanes, instead you must add your PASS ID number in the KTN field when making airline reservations to ensure the TSA PreCheck® indicator appears on your boarding pass.”
“TSA uses unpredictable security measures, both seen and unseen, throughout the airport. All travelers will be screened, and no individual is guaranteed expedited screening.”
Application steps
CBP describes an in-person interview and a review time range:
“Schedule and attend an in-person interview (In-person interviews are required for first-time enrollment)”
“After accepting your completed application, CBP will conduct a review. If your application is conditionally approved, your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Each applicant must schedule a separate interview.”
CBP’s pages give the review time differently; the page with the newer last-modified date is quoted first.
“Wait for CBP to complete your background check (Most applications are reviewed within 2 weeks while some can take up to 12 months or longer depending on criminal history.)”
“(Please Note: 80% of applications are approved within 2 weeks while some applications can take up to 12 months or longer to be processed.)”
Cost per year
Arithmetic, not a CBP figure: the $120 fee divided by the 5 years of membership. The TSA PreCheck cost page does the same division for each TSA enrollment provider, and the Global Entry vs TSA PreCheck page sets the two side by side.
| What | Amount |
|---|---|
| Fee per year of membership | $24.00 |
Frequently asked questions
How much does Global Entry cost?
CBP says the Global Entry application fee is $120 and membership lasts for five years. The fee is set in 8 CFR 103.7(d)(13).
Is the Global Entry fee refundable?
CBP says the fee is non-refundable, even if an application is denied.
How much does Global Entry cost for a child?
CBP’s pages and the regulation word the under-18 fee exemption differently, so the sources differ. 8 CFR 103.7(d)(13) (eCFR text as of October 29, 2026) says minors under 18 who apply concurrently with a parent or legal guardian, or whose parent or legal guardian is already a participant of Global Entry, are exempt from the application fee. CBP’s Eligibility page (page last modified Oct 27, 2026) says the only exception is for minors (under 18) with a legal guardian enrolled in the program or in pending status. CBP’s Global Entry page (page last modified Jul 09, 2025) says minors are free with a parent already in or applying for Global Entry. CBP’s How to Apply page (page last modified Nov 27, 2024) says A $120 non-refundable fee is required with each completed application and states no exception. This page does not say which wording governs a case where a parent’s application is pending.
Does the $120 fee apply to renewal?
The Federal Register final rule says the $120 application fee applies to applicants and to participants who are renewing their memberships. 8 CFR 235.12(d)(3) says an applicant may apply to renew up to one year before the close of the participation period.
When did the Global Entry fee become $120?
CBP’s final rule was published in the Federal Register on April 2, 2024 (89 FR 22607) and is effective October 1, 2024. It increased the Global Entry fee from $100 to $120.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
CBP lists TSA Precheck access among the Global Entry benefits. TSA’s FAQ says a Global Entry card does not give access to TSA PreCheck lanes and that the member adds their PASS ID in the KTN field of an airline reservation.
How can I pay the Global Entry fee?
CBP says the fee is paid at the time of application submission through the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) system, by credit card or through an electronic bank transfer.
More travel cost pages
Other travel document costs: how much a passport costs and passport book vs card.
Sources (checked November 2, 2026): CBP: Global Entry · CBP: How to Apply for Global Entry · CBP: Eligibility for Global Entry · CBP: Benefits of Global Entry · 8 CFR 103.7 (eCFR) · 8 CFR 235.12 (eCFR) · Federal Register 2024-06851 (89 FR 22607) · TSA: TSA PreCheck FAQ