Janice Lozano
International students cannot apply for TSA PreCheck directly. TSA PreCheck is only available to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals and lawful permanent residents. However, international students can apply for Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck. Global Entry is available to citizens of 11 additional countries, including the UK, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan. The application process for Global Entry involves several steps, including an interview, and can take over 90 days to complete.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| TSA PreCheck availability | Only available to "U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents." |
| Eligibility for non-U.S. citizens | Non-U.S. citizens can apply for Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck. Global Entry is open to citizens of 10-11 countries, including the UK, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan. |
| Application process for Global Entry | Fill out the application and complete the payment. Schedule an interview within a year of receiving conditional approval. |
| Additional considerations | The pre-interview application review can take over 90 days. F-1 visa holders using Global Entry may need to go through regular passport control for manual inspection of their Form I-20. |
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What You'll Learn
Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck
TSA PreCheck® is a program by the Transportation Security Administration that provides expedited security screening benefits for flights departing from US airports. However, it is only available to "U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents."
Global Entry is another Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Trusted Traveler Program that provides expedited US customs screening for international air travelers entering the United States. Global Entry is a good option for those who travel internationally four or more times a year. Members of Global Entry also receive TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of their membership.
Global Entry allows applications from citizens of several countries. To participate in Global Entry, Korean applicants must be at least 17 years of age. US citizens enrolled in Global Entry may use the Smartgate system when entering Australia and/or New Zealand without registration. US citizens may also apply for expedited entry programs in other countries, such as the Dutch Privium program, the Korean SES program, Panama's Global Pass, Taiwan's eGate, Germany's EasyPASS, or the Mexican Viajero Confiable program.
To receive TSA PreCheck®, individuals must include their Known Traveler Number (KTN) or CBP PASSID for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI members in their airline reservation. This will generate a TSA PreCheck® indicator on their boarding pass, allowing them to access the PreCheck® lanes. It is important to note that travelers still need a REAL ID or other acceptable form of identification, such as a passport, to fly once the REAL ID requirement is enforced at airports.
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Non-US citizens can apply for Global Entry
While TSA PreCheck is only available to US citizens, US nationals, and lawful permanent residents, international students and other non-US citizens can apply for Global Entry, which is another Trusted Traveler Program that provides access to PreCheck lanes.
Eligibility
To be eligible for Global Entry, non-US citizens must be citizens of one of the following countries:
- Argentina
- India
- Colombia
- United Kingdom
- Germany
- Panama
- Singapore
- South Korea
- Switzerland
- Mexican nationals who are Sentri members
- Citizens of Taiwan with a valid Republic of China passport
Additionally, there may be other requirements depending on your country of citizenship.
How to Apply
To apply for Global Entry, non-US citizens must:
- Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account.
- Pay the $120 non-refundable application fee.
- After your application is conditionally approved, schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
- Bring your valid passport and one other form of identification to the interview.
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TSA PreCheck is for US citizens and permanent residents
The TSA PreCheck program is only available to US citizens, US nationals, and lawful permanent residents. This means that international students are not eligible for the TSA PreCheck program directly. However, there are alternative options for international students who frequently travel to the US and wish to expedite their security screening process.
One option is Global Entry, which provides foreign nationals with expedited customs processing when entering the United States, and includes TSA PreCheck benefits. Global Entry is available to citizens of several countries, including the UK, Germany, South Korea, and Taiwan. The application process for Global Entry involves submitting an online application, completing an interview, and undergoing additional pre-application steps depending on your nationality. It is important to note that the review process can take up to 90 days or more, so applicants should submit their applications as early as possible.
Another option for international students is CLEAR, which does not provide TSA PreCheck benefits but allows travelers to jump to the head of the line for regular screening at participating airports. CLEAR requires a US driver's license or state ID but does not require US citizenship.
Additionally, some airlines offer their own TSA Pre-programs for frequent fliers. International students can contact their airline of choice to inquire about any available programs and their specific requirements. While these programs do not provide the same benefits as TSA PreCheck, they can help streamline the security screening process for frequent travelers.
It is important to note that official information regarding TSA PreCheck and its eligibility requirements can be found on the Transportation Security Administration's website, which ends in ".gov". Applicants should be cautious of unofficial websites claiming to allow registration for TSA PreCheck.
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Major airlines offer a TSA-Pre program for frequent fliers
TSA PreCheck is only available to "U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents." However, there are other Trusted Traveler Programs with different requirements that can provide access to PreCheck lanes. For example, Global Entry allows applications from citizens of 11 additional countries, and NEXUS is an option for those with Canadian citizenship.
Major airlines do offer a TSA PreCheck program for frequent fliers. To take advantage of this, you need to have a frequent-flier membership with them. Contact your airline to ask if they offer this program. If you are eligible for Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, enter your membership number (PASS ID) in the "Known Traveler Number" field when booking reservations or enter it into your frequent flyer profile with the airline. This enables the Transportation Security Administration's (TSA) Secure Flight System to verify that you are a legitimate Trusted Traveler and eligible to participate in TSA PreCheck.
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Global Entry costs $120 for five years
International students who are not U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, or lawful permanent residents are not eligible for TSA PreCheck. However, there are alternative Trusted Traveler Programs (TTPs) that offer similar benefits, such as Global Entry.
Global Entry is a popular pre-clearance airport program that allows travelers to quickly navigate security checkpoints and access dedicated expedited passport screening at customs in over 77 airports. The program is available to citizens of several countries, and membership lasts for five years.
Until 2024, the cost of applying for Global Entry was $100. However, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection recently increased the fee to $120 for all Trusted Traveler Programs, including Global Entry. This is the first time the fee has increased since the program's inception in 2008.
The $120 fee is non-refundable and must be paid at the time of application submission. It is worth noting that children under 18 whose parents or legal guardians are members or applying for membership are exempt from the fee. Additionally, some credit cards and elite frequent flyer programs reimburse the application fee for Trusted Traveler Programs. These reimbursements typically occur once every four to five years.
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Frequently asked questions
Only U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents can apply for TSA PreCheck directly. However, international students can apply for Global Entry, which includes TSA PreCheck.
You can apply for Global Entry by filling out an application and completing the payment for the application. After your application is reviewed, you will be notified via email if you are eligible for Global Entry. You will then need to schedule an interview.
The pre-interview application review process can take 90 days or more, so submit your application as early as possible.
With Global Entry, you’ll receive expedited customs processing when entering the United States, and you’ll receive TSA PreCheck when flying from U.S. airports.
