Children can now enjoy Global Entry at no cost - follow these steps to enroll.
In a recent development, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced significant changes to its Trusted Traveler Programs, making travel more affordable and accessible for families.
One of the most notable changes is the reduction in the application fee for the Global Entry program, which now stands at $120 for a five-year membership. This includes access to TSA PreCheck as well. Previously, a family of four would have to pay $480, but now they can apply for just $240.
Moreover, children under 18 can now join Global Entry for free if their parent or guardian is a Global Entry member or applies at the same time. They still must apply and be approved separately, but no fee is required for the child’s enrollment.
The NEXUS program, which offers expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada, also sees a fee increase to $120, though the exact current fee is not specified. This program includes access to TSA PreCheck lanes and allows expedited processing between the U.S. and Canada.
Similarly, the SENTRI program, which operates between the U.S. and Mexico, also has a fee of $120, allowing expedited land entry from Mexico as well as TSA PreCheck access.
It's worth noting that children under 18 can apply for Nexus and SENTRI programs for free, just like Global Entry. However, they must be enrolled separately to use the Global Entry kiosks.
The application process for all Trusted Traveler Programs involves entering identifying information, travel and residency history, and completing a criminal background check. An in-person interview is still required before the application can be fully approved.
For those who are frequent travellers, several credit cards offer a reimbursement benefit for the Global Entry application fee, such as The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card, The Platinum Card® from American Express, Chase Sapphire Reserve®, Capital One Venture Rewards Credit Card, UnitedSM Explorer Card, Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite Mastercard®, and Bank of America® Premium Rewards® credit card.
If you're arriving at an airport that participates in Enrollment on Arrival, the in-person interview can be completed when returning to the U.S. Most applications are approved within two weeks, but some can take up to 12 months or longer to be processed.
To apply for a child, a new account must be created and the application process initiated, which may involve creating an email address for the child if they don't have one already. To apply for any of the Trusted Traveler Programs (Global Entry, Nexus, or SENTRI), visit the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's website.
These changes, which reflect recent updates integrating free child enrollments in Global Entry for families, are current as of mid-2025. For the most accurate and up-to-date information, it's always recommended to visit the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
- The latest updates in travel include a reduced fee for the Global Entry program at $120, making it more affordable for families to access features like TSA PreCheck.
- In addition, children under 18 can now join the Global Entry program for free when their parent or guardian is a member, although they must still undergo the application and approval process separately.
- Similarly, the NEXUS and SENTRI programs, offering expedited travel between the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, have a fee of $120 each, and children under 18 can apply for free.
- For frequent travelers, several credit cards offer reimbursements for Global Entry application fees, such as The Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card and The Platinum Card® from American Express.
- Keep in mind that while the application process for the Trusted Traveler Programs involves providing personal information, travel history, and a criminal background check, an in-person interview is still required before the application can be approved.
- If you're interested in learning more about dining, lifestyle, news, or reviews related to travel, guides, airlines, and travel rewards, visit various Finance and Lifestyle websites for up-to-date information on hotels, travel rewards programs, and credit cards offering travel-related benefits.
