Travel Blog – Current U.S. Trusted Traveler’s Programs

Whether you travel for a living, just for vacations, or intermittently for both like I do, knowing about airport and traveler security programs will come in handy and make your travel much easier. The programs listed here may be common knowledge to some, but it’s worth a revisit every so often to make sure you’re aware of the programs and what they can do for you.

There are no shortages of resources to find out travel information, but I gathered what official government sources covered the broadest topics I could find. These agencies provide the information you need for travel security programs. They are:

Transportation Security Administration (TSA) – PreP (“PreCheck”)

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) – Trusted Traveler’s Program

U.S. Department of State – Travel.State.Gov

U.S. Customs and Border Protection – CBP Global Entry

There is a private program we’ll discuss at the end of this blog, but I’m listing the government sources first so there’s no confusion about what’s offered. As DHS states directly on their website: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) provides the only official US Government Trusted Traveler programs for travelers, customized to fit a variety of travel needs. Trusted Traveler programs allow members to use expedited lanes when crossing international borders, and at the airport.

With that in mind, here are the programs you can apply for:

TSA Recommended Program for Domestic Travel

TSA PreP

According to the DHS TSA website, the PreP program “…is an expedited security screening program connecting travelers departing from the United States with smarter security and a better air travel Passengers can apply for the TSA Pre✓® Application Program to determine if they are low-risk and eligible to receive expedited screening.”

TSA PreP security lines are separate from the general lanes. Once checked, travelers don’t remove their shoes, jackets, belts, can leave their laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in their bags and move straight to the screening. The lines are considerably shorter and security times are significantly reduced.

PreP is only open to to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. Foreign citizens must adhere to specific citizen and/or residency requirements and should check the other traveler programs to see if there are guidelines for mutual use. Active duty military and DOD Civilians are eligible as well to participate but have specific instructions when applying. Check the TSA PreP FAQ for details.

Children aged 12 and younger may use PreP service if traveling with a participating parent or guardian, however children 13 and over will need their own Known Traveler Number (KTN) or use standard security lines.

At the time of this posting, the TSA PreP program is used in conjunction with over 200 U.S. airports (Airport Map) and 53 participating airlines.

How to apply:

You can access the electronic application from this link and click the New Enrollment option. Once the initial application is completed, the next step is to schedule (from the same process as the application) an in-person interview at an enrollment center. The TSA requires (directly stated from their website) the following document(s) at the enrollment center: Unexpired U.S. government-issued photo identification and proof of citizenship. (i.e. Passport only or Driver’s License & Birth Certificate). 

You will be notified in writing two to three weeks after the interview, although approval status can be granted earlier and found online.

Payment:

The fee for PreP is $85 for 5 years. Payment options include credit card, money order, company check, or certified/cashier’s check. You may renew online or at an Enrollment Center 6 months prior to the expiration date of your KTN.

Programs Recommended for International Travel

Global Entry

Global Entry is defined, per the CBP, as “…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.”

Global Entry allows you to bypass U.S. custom points in lieu of check-in kiosks, reducing wait times, eliminating paperwork and processing time.  It is available a these major U.S. airports and has access to expedited entry benefits in other countries. If you are granted Global Entry, you also have  TSA Pre✓® eligibility (but not vice versa).

Eligibility for the program is offered to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and as of this post 11 other countries. You can check the CPB Eligibility page to see the list and additional requirements per international arrangements. There is no minimum age requirement to enroll, but children under 18 must have a parent or legal guardian’s permission to use the program and a Trusted Traveler Programs account. (See below)

To apply for the Global Entry, you must first complete in the CPB’s Trusted Traveler Program. For families, each person will need their own TTP account. Once the account is set, you will log-in, pay the fee and complete the application. If approved, you’ll set up an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.  You’ll need your passport and a government issued form of identification (i.e. Driver’s license or other standard ID card). Another option is Enrollment on Arrival, where participants who are conditionally approved can conduct their interview upon arriving in country.

The fee for the Global Entry program is $100.00 at time of application. The membership is renewable after 5 years and requires a processing fee.

NEXUS

Nexus is a program allowing for the expedited travel between Canada and the U.S. More specifically (as take from the CBP site): Nexus allows pre-screened travelers expedited processing when entering the United States and Canada. Program members use dedicated processing lanes at designated northern border ports of entry, NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada by air and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States via Canadian Preclearance airports. NEXUS members also receive expedited processing at marine reporting locations.

The NEXUS program reduces wait times at designated ports of entry using dedicated processing lanes at land border crossings, using NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada and Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States, and calling a marine telephone reporting center to report your arrival into the United States and Canada. Nexus members can access to TSA PreP security lanes within the U.S. and U.S. territories.

Eligibility for the program is extended to U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian lawful permanent residents and Mexican nationals who are members of Mexico’s trusted traveler program, As with Global Entry. Children under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program.

To apply, complete the Trusted Traveler Program account, then log-in into the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES) and complete the application and provide the $50.00 fee. If approved by the CBP, you will be instructed to complete the Nexus interview at a Nexus Enrollment Center.

SENTRI

As the Nexus program allows for expedited entry between the U.S. and Canada, SENTRI, or the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection “…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. Participants may enter the United States by using dedicated primary lanes into the United States at Southern land border ports.”

As with the other international programs, SENTRI reduces wait times at designated ports of entry by using dedicated processing lanes at southern land border crossings, using NEXUS lane when entering the United States from Canada by land, and using Global Entry kiosks when entering the United States by air. SENTRI members also have access to TSA PreP security lanes within the U.S. and U.S. territories.

SENTRI has no no citizenship or age requirements for SENTRI membership. Children under the age of 18 must have parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program.

To apply, complete the Trusted Traveler Program account and online application. The registration fee of $122.50 will be due at time of submission. As with Nexus you will be instructed to proceed to a SENTRI Enrollment Center. The membership will remain active for 5 years.

There was one additional program, FAST, which deals with commercial trucking, but this blog focuses on personal travel listed under U.S. government agencies. The other private service is CLEAR. CLEAR is a program that adds an additional means to bypass the general security lanes and may or not be used in conjunction with the TSA PreP program.

CLEAR

CLEAR is accepted at only 35 airports and unlike TSA PreP is in use at U.S. sports arenas. At airports, the service allows you check in with the CLEAR kiosks using stored biometrics rather than checking in with the TSA agents. Then, if you have TSA PreP you will be escorted to the expedited PreP screening area. If you do not have PreP you will then be readmitted back into the general screening lanes. The service does not remove you from being screened (luggage check, x-ray, etc.).

You can apply online and present one of a standard U.S. issued, unexpired form of ID at their locations and with no appointment. Children under 18 may use the service with a CLEAR family member.

The program costs $179 a year.

I hope that this blog has provided you with enough information to help you with your decision on traveler’s security programs. If you need more details, please use the links listed earlier to proceed directly to the government sites, especially with questions on international travel. Feel free to read up on our other travel blogs here. All the best ~ Glen.

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