What to Know About Trusted Traveler Programs — PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI

Your time at the airport is precious. You want to ensure you have enough time to enjoy a pre-flight snack or cocktail at an airport lounge, but you also don’t want to get there so early that you’re waiting to board for hours before departure. Luckily, there are programs that can help you more reliably budget the time you need to get through security. 

Trusted Traveler Programs are issued through the Department of Homeland Security, and they allow members to move through security more efficiently. There are four main Trusted Traveler Programs offered to regular travelers: Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, NEXUS, and SENTRI. There’s a lot of overlap in what each program offers, so you will likely only need to apply for one. However, requirements, cost, and time to get approved can vary significantly from program to program. I spoke with Steve Orens, a senior vice president at FROSCH Travel and T+L A-List travel advisor, to compile this guide.

The best tip to anyone wanting to apply for these programs is to be thorough, says Orens. “Be prepared, fill out all requested information,” he explains. “Check back on the [application] page on a regular basis to follow the progress or provide any other information requested.”

Although it can take months or more than a year in some cases, these programs provide significant utility to travelers. Here’s everything you need to know about the Trusted Traveler Programs, and who should apply for each. 

TSA PreCheck

The first Trusted Traveler Program, and one of the most popular, is TSA PreCheck, which allows travelers to enjoy expedited security benefits. Travelers enrolled in PreCheck will not need to remove shoes, laptops, liquids, belts, or jackets when going through TSA airport security. In 99 percent of cases, travelers will get through security in 10 minutes or less. In my experience, it’s typically even faster. 

The enrollment process is quite simple — all you need to do is choose an enrollment provider, submit an application online, and visit an enrollment location for fingerprinting and payment. Once you receive your Known Traveler Number, you can start enjoying your benefits. The cost varies between $78 and $85 for new enrollments and $70 and $78 for PreCheck renewals, depending on your provider. You can even get TSA PreCheck for free thanks to credit cards that will reimburse you for the application fee, making it extremely worthwhile to enroll. 

U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck. Most airports will have dedicated TSA PreCheck security lanes. If not, you will receive a card indicating your membership. You will have to go through the regular security line with the card but will receive the same benefits. 

Global Entry

Global Entry allows travelers re-entering the U.S. from abroad to expedite the customs process. Members can use a dedicated Global Entry lane to proceed to a kiosk, which will capture a photo to confirm membership in the program. Then, proceed to the Customs and Border Patrol officer, and you’re all set. Global Entry includes all of the benefits of TSA PreCheck, so you do not need to apply for these programs separately. 

Global Entry is for pre-approved and low-risk travelers. As part of the application, you must undergo a background check and in-person interview to complete enrollment. Typically, the process requires you to visit an enrollment center for your interview before departure. If you cannot, you can complete your interview when you return to the U.S. through Enrollment on Arrival. 

It was just announced that you can also complete your Global Entry enrollment with Enrollment on Departure, a brand-new offering only available (for now) at Washington Dulles International Airport. The application fee is $100, but like PreCheck, many credit cards will reimburse you for the fee as long as you have not already been reimbursed for TSA PreCheck. 

Global Entry members can also validate their arrival to the U.S. via a Global Entry mobile app at select airports, further improving the process. 

The following people are eligible for Global Entry:

• U.S. citizens
• U.S. lawful permanent residents
• Citizens of Argentina
• Citizens of Brazil
• Citizens of Bahrain
• Citizens of India
• Citizens of Colombia
• Citizens of the United Kingdom
• Citizens of Germany
• Citizens of the Netherlands
• Citizens of Panama
• Citizens of Singapore
• Citizens of South Korea
• Citizens of Switzerland
• Citizens of Taiwan
• Mexican nationals

There could be additional requirements to meet, depending on your country of citizenship. Canadian citizens and residents can also be eligible for Global Entry benefits through membership in NEXUS. 

NEXUS

NEXUS is similar to Global Entry but specific to Canadian entry ports. You can use NEXUS when traveling by land, air, or sea. Members use expedited processing lanes when entering the U.S. and Canada: dedicated lanes at northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air, Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports, and expedited processing at marine reporting locations. 

U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents, and Mexican nationals who are members of Viajero Confiable are eligible to apply for NEXUS. The process to get approved takes a lot longer than Global Entry or TSA PreCheck because you have to get approved by both the U.S. and Canada. The average processing time is around 12 to 14 months, and the application fee is $50. The process for applying is similar. All you need to do is submit an application and schedule an interview at an enrollment center. Note you will need to be interviewed by both U.S. and Canadian officials. NEXUS includes TSA PreCheck benefits. 

SENTRI

The fourth and final Trusted Traveler Program is SENTRI, which allows expedited entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. SENTRI works the same way as NEXUS but enables the benefits on both the northern and southern borders of the U.S. Members can use dedicated processing lanes at southern land border crossings, the NEXUS lane when entering the United States from Canada by land, and Global Entry kiosks when entering by air. There aren’t any citizenship requirements for eligibility into SENTRI. However, Mexican nationals who wish to use the Global Entry kiosk when traveling by air will need to apply for Global Entry through their Trusted Traveler account. 

This is the most expensive program, with an application fee of $122.25. The processing timeline is slightly shorter than NEXUS, taking 10 to 12 months to complete. However, the process is the same as the other programs: complete an application, receive conditional approval, and schedule an interview at an enrollment center. You must bring your vehicle registration and proof of automobile insurance in the U.S. to your interview. SENTRI includes TSA PreCheck benefits. 

Which Trusted Traveler Program is right for you?

The best program for you depends on your travel habits, budget, and timeline. If you only travel within the U.S., TSA PreCheck is likely the best option. It includes all the security benefits and has one of the quickest processing times. However, if you take a couple of international trips per year, Global Entry is a fantastic option. I have Global Entry, and it has made my life significantly easier. Not only can I enjoy all of the same PreCheck benefits, but I can pass through customs quickly when entering the U.S., whether for a layover or my final destination. There are so many credit cards that will cover this application fee, too. 

NEXUS and SENTRI are both excellent programs for anyone who frequently travels between the U.S. and Canada or Mexico. Although they typically include the same PreCheck benefits, they won’t include Global Entry benefits when entering the U.S. from elsewhere, so you’ll want to weigh the pros and cons before applying. Enrollment in each program lasts for five years, so once you’ve decided, you can enjoy the benefits for a long time before having to renew. 

	TSA PreCheck	Global Entry	NEXUS	SENTRI
Use	Departures from U.S. airports	Entry into the U.S. from international destinations	Entry into the U.S. from Canada	Entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico
Cost	$78	$100	$50	$122.25
Travel method	Air	Air, land, and sea	Air, land, and sea	Air and land
Eligibility	U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and U.S. lawful permanent residents	U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and select foreign nationals	U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals	U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and all foreign nationals
Processing time	Varies by provider	4 - 6 months	12 - 14 months	10 - 12 months
Includes PreCheck?	N/A	Yes	Possibly	Possibly

You should also think about present and future timelines, explains Orens. “For example, TSA PreCheck comes with Global Entry, but you can also only renew your TSA PreCheck when you renew your Global Entry,” he says. “So, when your Global Entry expires, so does your PreCheck.  If you don’t have time to [renew] Global Entry, then you will not have PreCheck back until you do.”