Global Entry Renewal: A Step-by-Step Guide

Global Entry is a popular Trusted Traveler program that offers expedited U.S. customs clearance for pre-approved travelers. Like passports, Global Entry memberships expire every five years, so it’s crucial to renew on time to continue enjoying those fast-track benefits. This step-by-step guide explains who can renew, when to start, and how to renew your Global Entry membership online, along with tips to avoid common pitfalls. Follow along to ensure a smooth renewal process and avoid any lapse in your Global Entry benefits.

Who Is Eligible for Global Entry Renewal?

If you’re already a Global Entry member (whether a U.S. citizen, U.S. lawful permanent resident, or an eligible citizen of a partner country), you can renew your membership before it expires. Membership is valid for five years, and you become eligible to renew one year before your current membership expires. For example, if your Global Entry expires in December next year, you can start the renewal process this December.

Importantly, renewal is available even if your Global Entry has already expired. However, letting it lapse isn’t ideal – you won’t have Global Entry privileges again until your renewal is approved. In general, any member in good standing (no disqualifying criminal or customs violations) can apply to renew. Minors who are members can also renew (note that as of late 2024, application fees for minors under 18 have been waived). Essentially, if you have a Global Entry membership and remain eligible for the program, you can renew it.

When (and How Early) Should You Renew?

Don’t wait until the last minute. U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) allows you to submit a renewal up to one year before your membership expiration date. In fact, experts recommend starting the renewal as soon as that one-year window opens. Global Entry processing times can be unpredictable – some renewals get approved in days, others can take weeks or months. By applying a year in advance, you give yourself plenty of buffer to handle any delays so you won’t have a gap in your membership.

What if you renew early and it’s still pending when your current membership expires? Don’t worry – as long as you submitted the renewal before the expiration date, your Global Entry benefits are automatically extended for up to 24 months past your expiration while CBP processes your application. This is effectively a grace period, meaning you can continue using Global Entry for up to two years after expiry if your renewal is in progress. On the other hand, if you wait too long and your membership actually expires before you apply, you lose your Global Entry privileges until renewal approval. In that case, you’ll be back in the regular immigration line (and without TSA PreCheck) until you’re approved again – a situation any Global Entry user would want to avoid. The bottom line: mark your calendar for one year before expiration and plan to renew around that time.

How to Renew Global Entry Online: Step-by-Step

Renewing your Global Entry is done through CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website. The process is entirely online and similar to your initial application, but typically faster and with less paperwork. Follow these steps to renew your Global Entry membership:

1. Log in to the TTP Website: Go to the official Trusted Traveler Programs site (ttp.dhs.gov) and log in with your account credentials. (CBP now uses login.gov for authentication – if you originally applied years ago, you may need to create a login.gov account and link it to your TTP profile by entering your PASSID membership number.) Once signed in, navigate to your Dashboard.

2. Select “Renew” for Global Entry: On your dashboard under Program Memberships, you should see your Global Entry membership listed with its expiration date. If you’re within one year of expiration, a “Renew Membership” button or link will be available. Click the Renew button next to Global Entry. (If you are a member of multiple Trusted Traveler programs like NEXUS or SENTRI, make sure to click the Global Entry renew option.)

3. Update Your Information: The system will lead you through the renewal application, which is essentially an updated Global Entry application. Review and update each section of your personal information – this includes your passport details, driver’s license, addresses in the past few years, employment history, and international travel history since your last application. Be thorough and honest when answering the background questions (e.g., criminal history, customs violations) just as you did initially. You should also report any new aliases or name changes. (Tip: It helps to gather documents and notes on your last five years of addresses, jobs, and trips before starting, so the form doesn’t time out while you look up details.) Once everything is filled in, the site will prompt you to confirm the information is correct. Double-check all entries – typos or missing info could delay your renewal.

4. Certify and Submit the Application: After filling out the application, you’ll reach a final review and certification step. Confirm all sections are complete and then proceed to certify that the information is true. Essentially, you are electronically signing the application. Once certified, click “Submit” (or “Confirm and Continue” and then the final submit prompt) to proceed to payment.

5. Pay the Renewal Fee: The last step is paying the non-refundable renewal fee. Global Entry renewal costs the same as a new application – currently $100 for a five-year membership (increasing to $120 for applications on or after Oct 1, 2024). You’ll be taken to a secure payment page to enter your credit card or bank info. Select “Pay Now” and complete the payment process. Once payment is successful, you’ll be redirected back to your TTP dashboard and should see confirmation that your renewal application was submitted. (Pro tip: Many travel credit cards reimburse Global Entry fees as a perk, essentially letting you renew for free. If you have one, use that card for the payment to take advantage of the statement credit!)

After submitting, your part is done – now you’ll be waiting on CBP to process and approve the renewal. Most applicants will receive conditional approval or a final decision in days or weeks, though wait times can vary. You should receive a confirmation email that your application was received, and you’ll get another email when a decision is made or if further action (like an interview) is needed.

Tracking Your Renewal Status

After submission, you can track the status of your Global Entry renewal through your TTP account. Simply log in periodically and check your dashboard – your application will show as pending, conditionally approved, approved, or other status. CBP will also send you an email notification when your status changes (for example, “Conditionally Approved” or “Approved”). Conditional approval means they’ve preliminarily approved your info, and you might need to complete an interview (more on that below). Final approval means your renewal is complete.

While waiting, remember the grace period: if you applied before your old membership expired, you can continue using Global Entry benefits during processing (for up to 24 months after expiration). Keep your Global Entry card and Known Traveler Number (KTN) handy for travel as usual. Just be aware you’re on borrowed time – if for some reason your renewal is ultimately denied, your privileges would end and you’d have to reapply from scratch.

Once your renewal is fully approved, your Global Entry membership is extended for another 5 years from your original expiration date (add five years to the old expiry). You will receive a new Global Entry membership card by mail in a few weeks after approval. When the new card arrives, don’t forget to activate it via your TTP account (there will be an “Activate Membership Card” button on your dashboard) so that it’s ready for use. You don’t need the card for airport Global Entry kiosks (your passport is used there), but you’ll need it for land border crossings (SENTRI/NEXUS lanes) and it serves as ID. If you don’t receive a card and you’re a U.S. or Mexican national member, contact CBP for help.

What If You’re Selected for an Interview?

Many renewal applicants are pleasantly surprised to find no interview is required – CBP often renews memberships based on the application alone if there have been no significant changes or issues. In fact, “typically, renewals don’t require another interview”. However, an interview can be required in some cases (for example, if there are new questions about your background, or randomly as part of quality control). When you receive your conditional approval notice, it will tell you if an interview is needed or if you’re directly approved.

If your status says “Conditionally Approved – Schedule Interview”, then you must complete a brief interview with a CBP officer just like you did when first joining Global Entry. Here’s what to do:

• Schedule ASAP: Log in to the TTP website and you’ll be prompted to schedule an appointment at a Global Entry Enrollment Center of your choice. Interview slots can book up quickly, so it’s wise to schedule as soon as you can. You can pick any location (not just your home airport – sometimes smaller enrollment centers or locations just over the border have more availability). If no convenient slots are open, don’t panic; you can check back for cancellations or openings (some travelers check daily or use tools that alert you to newly available slots).

• Consider Enrollment on Arrival: If you have international travel coming up, you can take advantage of Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) instead of a scheduled appointment. EoA allows conditionally approved members to complete the Global Entry interview without an appointment when arriving from an international trip at many U.S. airports. Essentially, after you land and go through immigration, you can do your Global Entry interview on the spot. This can save you weeks of waiting for a formal appointment (though you might wait a bit at customs to see an officer, it’s still usually quicker overall). No advance scheduling is required for EoA – just bring your conditional approval letter (print-out) and necessary documents on your trip and tell the officer you want to do Enrollment on Arrival.

• Remote Interview Option: Good news – CBP has been piloting a remote (virtual) interview option for renewing members. Under this pilot program, some renewal applicants can interview via video call instead of in person. The eligibility for a virtual interview typically requires you to be conditionally approved, at least 18 years old, and have a recent photo and fingerprints on file with CBP. If you qualify, the option will be indicated in your conditional approval notice. This is a convenient way to finish the process without traveling to an enrollment center.

• Prepare for the Interview: Whether in-person or virtual, treat the renewal interview like the original: bring your passport (and green card, if applicable), plus your driver’s license or ID. Be ready to confirm your address and answer a few basic questions. The interview is usually very short – the officer will review your application, ask if anything has changed, and take your photo and fingerprints if needed. It’s mostly a formality to verify your identity and eligibility. Dress neatly and arrive on time (or join the video call on time). If it’s in-person, the interview typically occurs at the airport’s enrollment office or a CBP facility, and if virtual, ensure you have a quiet space and your webcam working.

Remember, interviews are not always required for renewals. If your renewal status goes from “Pending” straight to “Approved” without the conditional approval step, congrats – you’re renewed without an interview. In that case, you’ll just receive your new card by mail automatically. If you’re unsure, keep an eye on your email and TTP dashboard for instructions after submitting your application.

Fees and Payment Details for Renewal

The cost to renew Global Entry is a flat application fee paid online. As of now, the five-year Global Entry membership fee is $100, but note that it increased to $120 for applications submitted on or after October 1, 2024. (The fee is the same for a renewal or a first-time application, and it covers the next five years of membership.) This fee is non-refundable – even if your renewal is denied, you won’t get the money back. So be sure you still meet the eligibility (for example, no new disqualifying offenses) before applying.

You will pay the fee as the final step of the online renewal application. The TTP site will accept major credit/debit cards and direct bank payments. After payment, your application is officially submitted for review.

Tip: Save money by using a credit card that offers a Global Entry fee credit. Many travel rewards cards (from Chase, Amex, Capital One, etc.) will reimburse the Global Entry or TSA PreCheck application fee every 4–5 years. If you have one, charge the renewal fee to that card – you’ll see a statement credit wiping out the cost, essentially making your renewal free. It’s a great perk to take advantage of if available.

What Happens If Your Membership Expires Before Renewal Is Processed?

Scenario 1: You applied for renewal before expiration

If you submitted your renewal on time (anytime before the membership expiry date), then nothing really “happens” when you hit the expiration date. Your membership will remain active for up to 24 months past the expiration. This means you can keep using Global Entry at airports and your TSA PreCheck benefits as usual during that period. The pending renewal essentially extends your old membership in the interim. Eventually, you’ll get your approval and the new five-year period will kick in. So if you applied on time, you have a safety net and you won’t lose your privileges even if CBP takes a while to finalize your renewal.

Scenario 2: Your membership expired before you applied to renew

In this case, once the expiration date passes, your Global Entry benefits stop. There is no grace period if you missed the renewal deadline (the grace only applies if you have a pending application in progress). You can still log in and submit a renewal application even after expiration – you don’t have to start from scratch with a brand new application in the system. However, practically speaking, renewing post-expiration is almost like applying anew because you won’t enjoy any expedited entry benefits until you’re approved again. Expect that an interview may be more likely if you let it lapse (since CBP might treat it as a fresh assessment of your eligibility). According to CBP, “if you’re applying after your expiration date, you will not receive Global Entry benefits as you await approval.” In short, you’ll be a regular traveler in the meantime – no Global Entry, no TSA PreCheck (since PreCheck is a benefit of active membership). This can be a rude awakening once you’re used to the convenience, so try not to miss your renewal window.

If your membership has expired and you’ve submitted a renewal late, the process to get approved is the same steps outlined above. Just be prepared for the possibility of needing an interview and the fact that you’ll be without the service for a while. In some cases, CBP might approve a late renewal without issue (especially if it’s only been a very short time since expiry), but there’s no guarantee. The safest approach is to renew early and avoid any gap.

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The fastest way to get a same-day interview is by signing up for real-time SMS alerts when new slots open.

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• Get instant notifications when a cancellation appears.
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Taking action now can save you months of waiting. Many travelers secure an interview within days using these alerts.