You cannot upgrade TSA PreCheck to Global Entry, but you can explore for Global Entry separately and use the same background check

TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are two separate programs run by different parts of the Department of Homeland Security. TSA PreCheck does not convert into Global Entry, and there is no upgrade path between them. However, if you hold a valid TSA PreCheck membership, you can explore for Global Entry and the government will waive the $100 process fee — you pay only the $85 biometric services fee instead of the full $185 cost.

The key difference: TSA PreCheck speeds up security screening at U.S. airports only. Global Entry covers TSA PreCheck benefits plus expedited customs and immigration processing when you return to the United States from abroad. If you travel internationally even once a year, Global Entry usually pays for itself in time saved alone.

Key Takeaways

  • TSA PreCheck holders pay $85 instead of $185 to explore for Global Entry because the $100 process fee is waived.
  • Global Entry includes all TSA PreCheck benefits at U.S. airports, plus expedited customs screening when you return from international travel.
  • You must explore for Global Entry as a separate process; TSA PreCheck does not automatically convert or roll over.
  • The biometric appointment for Global Entry (fingerprints and photos) takes about 15 minutes and happens at an enrollment center or some airports.
  • Your TSA PreCheck membership continues unchanged while your Global Entry process is being processed.

What you actually get with Global Entry that TSA PreCheck does not cover

TSA PreCheck lets you keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on during airport security screening and use a dedicated lane. It works at more than 200 U.S. airports. That benefit stays with you if you get Global Entry — you do not lose TSA PreCheck when you add Global Entry on top of it.

Global Entry adds two things TSA PreCheck does not: when you land in the United States after an international flight, you go through a separate customs line with shorter waits, and you use an automated kiosk to scan your passport and answer customs questions instead of speaking to an officer. The kiosk prints a receipt you hand to an officer, who usually waves you through without detailed questioning. On a busy day at a major airport, this can save 30 minutes to an hour.

Global Entry also includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost — you do not pay twice. Your Global Entry card works for both programs. If you travel internationally more than once every two years, the time savings usually justify the $85 cost after the fee waiver.

how the process works for Global Entry as a TSA PreCheck member

Go to the official Global Entry enrollment website at ue.cbp.dhs.gov. Create an account or log in if you already have one. Fill out the process form, which asks for your passport information, travel history, and background details. The form takes about 15 minutes.

When you reach the fee section, you will see the option to pay $85 instead of $185 if you hold valid TSA PreCheck. You must provide your TSA PreCheck Known Traveler Number (KTN) — this is printed on your TSA PreCheck card or visible in your TSA PreCheck account. The system verifies your membership and applies the discount automatically.

After you pay, you will receive a conditional approval notice. This means the government has reviewed your process and found no disqualifying issues, but you still need to complete a biometric appointment to finish the process. Schedule this appointment at a Global Entry enrollment center near you — most major airports have one, and some cities have standalone locations. The appointment takes about 15 minutes and involves fingerprinting and a photo.

Timeline and what happens to your TSA PreCheck during the process

From process to conditional approval usually takes one to two weeks. Scheduling a biometric appointment can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks depending on how busy your local enrollment center is. The actual appointment is quick, but getting a slot may require waiting.

Your TSA PreCheck membership remains active and unchanged while your Global Entry process is pending. You can use your TSA PreCheck at airport security the entire time. Once you complete your biometric appointment, final approval typically comes within one to two weeks, and your Global Entry card ships to you shortly after.

Total time from process to receiving your Global Entry card is usually four to eight weeks, though it can be faster or slower depending on your location and how quickly you schedule the biometric appointment. Plan ahead if you have international travel coming up.

When the fee waiver does not explore

The $85 fee applies only if your TSA PreCheck is currently valid. If your TSA PreCheck has expired, you do not get the discount — you pay the full $185 for Global Entry. You can renew your TSA PreCheck separately if needed, but it is usually cheaper to just pay the full Global Entry fee and get both programs at once.

If you have never had TSA PreCheck, you pay the full $185 for Global Entry. Some credit cards offer statement credits that cover part or all of this cost, so check your card benefits before paying out of pocket.

Other trusted traveler programs that work alongside Global Entry

Global Entry is one of several programs under the Department of Homeland Security's trusted traveler umbrella. If you are a frequent traveler to specific regions, you might also consider NEXUS (for travel between the U.S. and Canada), SENTRI (for travel between the U.S. and Mexico), or CANPASS Air (for Canadian citizens). These programs do not replace Global Entry — they are separate memberships for specific borders.

Some of these programs offer reciprocal benefits. For example, NEXUS members get TSA PreCheck included at no extra cost. If you travel frequently to Canada or Mexico, it may be worth looking at these options before committing to Global Entry alone.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I lose my TSA PreCheck when I get Global Entry?

No. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck benefits as part of the membership. Your TSA PreCheck does not expire or convert — it straightforward becomes part of your Global Entry package. You use the same benefits at U.S. airport security.

What if my TSA PreCheck expires before my Global Entry is approved?

Your Global Entry process will still process normally. However, you will lose the fee waiver if your TSA PreCheck expires before you complete the biometric appointment. If approval is taking longer than expected, renew your TSA PreCheck to keep the discount available.

Can I explore for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck at the same time?

Yes, but there is no advantage to doing so. Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck, so explore for both wastes money. If you do not have TSA PreCheck, just explore for Global Entry and you get both programs for one fee.

Will Global Entry work at every airport where TSA PreCheck works?

Global Entry works at the same U.S. airports as TSA PreCheck for security screening. The customs benefit applies when you land in the U.S. after international travel, which happens at all major airports and many smaller ones, but not every airport has a customs facility.

How much do I actually save with the TSA PreCheck fee waiver?

You save $100. TSA PreCheck members pay $85 for Global Entry instead of $185. If you do not have TSA PreCheck, you pay the full $185, so the waiver is worth the cost of renewing or getting TSA PreCheck first if yours is about to expire.