Can I use TSA PreCheck for international flights?
Yes. TSA PreCheck® is available when you depart from a U.S. airport to a foreign country, and for domestic, connecting flights after you return to the United States. If you travel internationally four or more times a year, consider enrolling in Global Entry instead of TSA PreCheck®.
If you travel often, TSA PreCheck is definitely worth it, especially if you're able to get it for free via a credit card (and even if not, the fee only comes to about $14 to $16 per year), as it will save you time and stress once you get to the airport.
If you already have TSA PreCheck and want to switch to Global Entry, you'll need to complete the entire Global Entry application process and pay the $100 application fee. This is why it's a good idea to think about the benefits of having both Global Entry and TSA PreCheck before applying for either of the programs.
- Apply Online. Submit an online application in 5 minutes & schedule an appointment at any of 500+ enrollment centers.
- Enroll in person. 10-min in-person appointment that includes fingerprinting for a background check.
- Travel with Ease.
TSA PreCheck® provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from U.S. Airports. Global Entry provides expedited U.S. customs screening for international air travelers when entering the United States. Global Entry members also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of their membership.
The TSA advises arriving at the airport two hours before your flight for domestic travel and three hours before for international travel.
- Citizens of Argentina.
- Citizens of Brazil.
- Citizens of India.
- Citizens of Colombia.
- Citizens of the United Kingdom.
- Citizens of Germany.
- The Netherlands.
- Citizens of Panama.
Visit the government's Trusted Traveler Program web page and you'll find Global Entry processing times estimated at 4 to 6 months, though as recently as a couple of weeks ago, CBP cautioned that for some applicants waits for an in-person interview could run anywhere from 6 to 18 months.
Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports.
TSA PreCheck® is currently available at more than 200 airports with 85+ participating airlines nationwide. Eligible passengers can learn where by selecting a state or by entering airport information below.
Which airlines do not participate in TSA PreCheck?
- Aer Lingus.
- Air France.
- All Nippon Airways.
- British Airways
- China Southern Airlines.
- China Eastern Airlines.
- EasyJet.
- EgyptAir.
Clear is not necessarily better than Global Entry, as both programs improve the experience of two very different parts of travel. Clear saves you time going through security screenings ahead of travel, while Global Entry saves you time at customs when reentering the U.S. after international travel.
- Passport when traveling internationally.
- Paper ticket (less and less common),
- or a confirmation number-- usually sent via email if ticket is purchased online or through a travel agency,
- or printed itinerary with a confirmation number.
The General Guideline for How Early You Should Get to the Airport. Generally speaking, most airlines advise that you arrive at the airport at least 2 hours prior to a domestic flight, and at least 3 hours prior to an international flight.
Can I use TSA PreCheck® when flying from a U.S. airport to a foreign country? Yes. TSA PreCheck® is available when you depart from a U.S. airport to a foreign country, and for domestic, connecting flights after you return to the United States.
In most cases, Global Entry is a better choice, especially if you travel internationally. Not only does it include TSA PreCheck but it will also expedite your re-entry back into the U.S. when you arrive from abroad.
"To use the Global Entry lane, U.S. Customs asks for their physical Global Entry cards to verify that they partake in the program. Absent the card, an officer will have to conduct further system checks to verify that a traveler has Global Entry."
Can I Just Show Up for the Global Entry Interview? Yes! You can skip scheduling an interview by opting to complete your Global Entry application process via the Enrollment on Arrival Program. Upon returning from your international trip, follow signage to the CBP office to have your interview take place immediately.
You will need to bring all documents that you have used to fill out your application. This will typically be a passport, driver's license, permanent resident card, or visa based on the program you applied for and your status in the United States.
Most applicants receive approval notification in 3-5 days, though some applications can take up to 60 days. Considering this, applicants are encouraged to renew at least 60 days prior to expiry. TSA will notify members with eligibility results.
What gets you denied from Global Entry?
Failure to provide all required information on the application could lead to denial if it is discovered during the background check. Another reason you could lose Global Entry after being approved is failure to declare certain items when passing through customs upon return from an international trip.
CBP accepts Global Entry cards for lawful U.S. entry at land and sea ports of entry. Global Entry cards have radio frequency identification, which enables their use at SENTRI and NEXUS expedited travel lanes entering the U.S. Global Entry cards are not valid for entry into Canada via the NEXUS lanes and kiosks.
Global Entry cards are issued to Global Entry members who are U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and Mexican nationals.
Make sure you allow enough time to clear customs and get to your connecting flight. As a general rule, it's best to allow at least two hours for international layovers.
Do you have to go through customs on connecting flights? If you have booked international connecting flights, you will normally have to go through customs and immigration at the connecting airport. This is particularly true of the United States and Canada.
If you're chosen for a search, customs agents will search your bags by hand or X-ray and ask you more questions about your trip.
TSA PreCheck verifies which passengers are present the lowest risk to flight security, so these passengers can pass through security checkpoints without the need to remove shoes, belts, or jackets from their person or laptops and liquids from their bags.
TSA PreCheck: Making travel with family that much easier
Kids 12 and under go right through the PreCheck line with you straight to the tsa agent at the security checkpoint, as long as you're already part of a trusted traveler program. Your spouse, on the other hand, needs to qualify for TSA PreCheck separately.
The most expensive program of the three, CLEAR costs $189 for an annual membership and does not include TSA PreCheck, like Global Entry does. With CLEAR, you can add up to three adult family members for only $50/year each.
Most of the TSA's rules are the same for all travelers, whether they're boarding a quick flight across the state or flying halfway around the world. It's the TSA's job to verify the identities of all plane-bound passengers and to make sure that no passengers or luggage pose a security threat.
How much time does TSA PreCheck save?
Just how much time does TSA PreCheck save? TSA estimates that 95% of TSA PreCheck passengers wait less than five minutes in the security line. This is a small amount of time separating you from the back of the security line to the terminal, meaning the most useful benefit is, of course, saving time.
Who can apply for TSA PreCheck®? The TSA PreCheck® Application Program is only open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents.
If you're flying internationally, you may need to go through a second security screening before your flight: immigration. All you'll need to do here is show your passport and follow the instructions from the immigration staff. This is the last step before you can walk to your gate for your flight.
Enrolling in the TSA PreCheck® and Global Entry programs is one of the top ways to bypass long security and passport control lines. TSA PreCheck® members are not required to remove electronics, clothing, or liquids at security checkpoints.
For existing reservations, you can manually edit each flight to add your PreCheck number before check-in or call customer service and ask that they do it for you.
With TSA PreCheck™, you can breeze through airport security. Best part, children 12 and under can accompany a parent or guardian who has TSA PreCheck™ on their boarding pass. Travelers 13 and older who do not have a TSA PreCheck™ boarding pass must go through standard security lanes or apply for TSA PreCheck™.
In most cases, Global Entry is a better choice, especially if you travel internationally. Not only does it include TSA PreCheck but it will also expedite your re-entry back into the U.S. when you arrive from abroad.
Membership itself does not require any sort of annual fee, but $100 is charged per Trusted Traveler Program application. This is non-refundable, even if the application is ultimately denied.
- Monitor the Schedule Like a Hawk. ...
- Pay a Service to Find You a Global Entry Interview. ...
- Check on the First Monday Each Month. ...
- Major Enrollment Centers with Current Availability. ...
- Take a Global Entry Interview Road Trip. ...
- Or Work it into a Domestic Trip. ...
- Use Enrollment on Arrival.
TSA PreCheck® is currently available at more than 200 airports with 85+ participating airlines nationwide. Eligible passengers can learn where by selecting a state or by entering airport information below.
What can you leave on with TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck™ lets you leave your shoes, belt, and light jacket on while you go through security. You can also leave your laptop and your liquids in your bag. It costs $85 for five years—that's only $17 a year.
Dishonesty, fraud, or misrepresentation, including identity fraud and money laundering, where the money laundering is related to a crime listed in Parts A or B (except welfare fraud and passing bad checks). Bribery. Smuggling. Immigration violations.