TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are separate programs, but you can explore for Global Entry and have your TSA PreCheck benefits included at no extra cost

You cannot upgrade TSA PreCheck to Global Entry directly. However, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck as a benefit, so if you explore for and are approved for Global Entry, you automatically get TSA PreCheck too. The two programs do not convert into each other — they are distinct applications managed by different parts of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). If you already have TSA PreCheck, you would need to submit a separate Global Entry process if you want the additional international benefits.

The key difference is scope. TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening at U.S. airports only. Global Entry covers that same U.S. airport benefit plus expedited customs and immigration processing when you return to the United States from abroad. If you travel internationally and want both benefits, explore for Global Entry makes financial sense because you pay one fee and receive both programs.

Key Takeaways

  • Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck automatically, so you do not pay twice or explore twice if you want both benefits.
  • If you already hold TSA PreCheck, you still need to submit a separate Global Entry process; the programs do not merge.
  • Global Entry costs more than TSA PreCheck alone, but covers international travel benefits that TSA PreCheck does not.
  • Both programs require an in-person appointment at an enrollment center to complete the process after your initial process.

What Global Entry includes that TSA PreCheck does not

Global Entry gives you access to dedicated customs and immigration lanes when you return to the United States by air, sea, or land. You use a kiosk to scan your passport and answer customs questions, then proceed through a separate line staffed by CBP officers. This process typically takes minutes instead of the 30 to 45 minutes a standard traveler might wait. TSA PreCheck, by contrast, only applies to domestic U.S. airport security lines.

Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck at no additional cost, so you keep your expedited domestic security screening. You also receive benefits from two companion programs: NEXUS (for travel between the U.S. and Canada) and SENTRI (for travel between the U.S. and Mexico), depending on which borders you cross. If you travel internationally at all, Global Entry is the more complete option.

The cost difference between the two programs

TSA PreCheck costs $78 to $85 for a five-year membership, depending on which enrollment center processes your process. Global Entry costs $100 for a five-year membership. The price difference is modest, but Global Entry requires more vetting because it involves international border crossing and customs authority.

Some credit cards offer statement credits that reimburse the Global Entry fee, so check your card benefits before paying out of pocket. Military members, federal employees, and certain other groups may have reduced rates or fee waivers. The CBP website lists current pricing and any active discounts.

how the process works for Global Entry if you have TSA PreCheck

Start by creating an account on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Log in with your existing TSA PreCheck information if you have an account there, or create a new one. Complete the Global Entry process form, which asks about your travel history, criminal history, and background. The form takes 15 to 20 minutes.

After you submit the form online, you will receive a conditional approval or a request for additional documents. If approved conditionally, you must schedule an in-person appointment at a Global Entry enrollment center. Bring your passport, a valid government ID, proof of citizenship or residency, and any documents CBP requested. The appointment itself takes about 15 minutes and includes a brief interview and fingerprinting. Once you complete the appointment, your Global Entry membership becomes active, and your TSA PreCheck is automatically included.

Timeline for approval and set up

The entire process from process to active membership typically takes four to six weeks, though it can vary. The online process review takes one to two weeks. If you are approved conditionally, scheduling an appointment may add another one to three weeks depending on enrollment center availability in your area. Once you complete your in-person appointment, your membership is usually active within a few days.

You can check your process status anytime on the TTP website by logging into your account. If you need to travel before your Global Entry appointment is scheduled, you can still use your existing TSA PreCheck benefits at U.S. airports.

What happens to your TSA PreCheck when you get Global Entry

Your TSA PreCheck does not expire or change when you add Global Entry. Instead, Global Entry wraps around it. Your TSA PreCheck membership remains valid through its original expiration date, and your Global Entry membership runs on its own five-year cycle from the date you complete your in-person appointment. If your TSA PreCheck expires before Global Entry does, you do not need to renew TSA PreCheck separately — your Global Entry membership covers those benefits.

When you renew Global Entry, you renew both programs together. You will not have two separate memberships or two separate expiration dates to track.

Alternatives if you do not want to explore for Global Entry

If you travel domestically only and do not cross international borders, keeping TSA PreCheck alone is a reasonable choice. You save $15 to $22 over five years and avoid the in-person appointment and vetting process that Global Entry requires. Your TSA PreCheck membership stands on its own and does not require Global Entry to remain active.

If you travel internationally but want to explore other options, some frequent-flyer programs and airline lounges offer expedited customs processing as a membership benefit. However, Global Entry is the most direct and widely accepted option for U.S. citizens and permanent residents returning from abroad.

Frequently Asked Questions

If I already have TSA PreCheck, do I lose it when I explore for Global Entry?

No. Your TSA PreCheck remains active throughout the Global Entry process process and after approval. Global Entry adds international benefits on top of your existing TSA PreCheck membership. Both programs run on separate five-year cycles, so you may renew them at different times.

Can I use Global Entry benefits at every U.S. airport?

Global Entry kiosks are available at most major U.S. airports, but not all. Check the CBP website for a list of airports with Global Entry facilities before you travel. If your airport does not have a kiosk, you proceed through standard customs lines. TSA PreCheck, however, is available at nearly all U.S. commercial airports.

What if my Global Entry process is denied?

CBP will notify you of the reason for denial. You can request reconsideration or reapply after addressing the issue. If your process is denied, you keep your existing TSA PreCheck membership and can continue using it at domestic airports.

Do I need to renew TSA PreCheck and Global Entry at the same time?

No. Each program has its own five-year expiration date based on when you completed your in-person appointment. You can renew them separately, though renewing Global Entry automatically covers your TSA PreCheck renewal as well.

Is Global Entry worth it if I only travel internationally once a year?

That depends on your priorities. At $100 for five years, Global Entry costs about $20 per year. If you value time savings at customs and immigration, even one or two international trips per year may justify the cost. If you rarely travel internationally, TSA PreCheck alone may be sufficient.