H1B, green card, F-1, and other nonimmigrant visa holders—here is what you need to know about applying for Global Entry and TSA PreCheck in 2026.
Yes—nonimmigrant visa holders, including H1B, L-1, O-1, F-1, and TN visa holders, are eligible to apply for Global Entry, CBP's trusted traveler program that allows expedited U.S. customs clearance upon international arrival. Green card holders are also fully eligible. The program is not limited to U.S. citizens.
Global Entry membership provides access to CBP's automated kiosks at major U.S. international airports, allowing you to scan your passport or LPR card, submit a customs declaration, and complete entry processing in minutes rather than waiting in the general immigration line—which can take 1–3 hours at busy airports. This is a significant practical benefit for visa holders who travel internationally for work.
Eligibility requires: lawful admission to the United States (valid visa status); no criminal history; no prior immigration violations; no prior customs violations; no derogatory information in CBP's TECS database; and willingness to undergo a background check and in-person interview. If your record is clean, approval rates for visa holders are high.
Global Entry membership costs $100 for a 5-year membership. The fee is non-refundable even if your application is denied. The membership must be renewed before expiration—CBP sends renewal reminders when you log into your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. Note that your Global Entry membership cannot extend beyond your authorized period of stay in the U.S., so visa holders should plan renewals around their visa/status expiration.
TSA PreCheck is a separate program from Global Entry. It allows expedited screening at U.S. airport security checkpoints—keeping your shoes on, laptop in bag, and belt on while going through a dedicated faster security line. TSA PreCheck is operated by TSA (Transportation Security Administration), not CBP.
Visa holders who enroll in Global Entry receive TSA PreCheck as an included benefit—you do not need to apply separately. When you check in for a domestic or international flight, your TSA PreCheck indicator (KTN—Known Traveler Number) is stored in your Global Entry profile and can be entered during flight booking to activate PreCheck screening.
If you want TSA PreCheck without Global Entry—for example, if you primarily travel domestically and do not need Global Entry's international arrival benefit—you can apply directly to TSA PreCheck for $85 for 5 years. The eligibility criteria are similar: no criminal history, no immigration violations, lawful presence in the U.S. Visa holders are eligible.
Important: TSA PreCheck enrollment requires your Alien Registration Number (A-Number) or I-94 number for non-U.S. citizens. For visa holders, the application will ask for your document type (visa category, I-94 number) to verify lawful status. This information is used for the TSA background check and is not shared beyond the program.
Apply through the Trusted Traveler Programs website at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Create an account using your government-issued ID information. Complete the online application, providing personal details, travel history, employment information, and any criminal or immigration history. Visa holders will need their passport number and visa information.
After submitting the online application and paying the fee, you will be scheduled for an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center. Enrollment centers are located at 70+ airports and other locations nationwide. Bring all required documents: valid foreign passport with U.S. visa; valid I-94 record (download from cbp.gov/i94); any additional immigration documents (I-20, DS-2019, I-797 H1B approval notice, or green card as applicable).
The interview typically takes 10–15 minutes. The CBP officer will review your documents, ask about your travel history and background, take your fingerprints and photo, and issue a conditional approval. Final approval may take a few days to weeks as CBP completes the background check.
Common denial reasons for visa holders include: prior immigration violations (overstaying a visa, unlawful presence); prior customs violations (undeclared items); arrests or criminal records; derogatory information in CBP database; conflicting information between the application and CBP records. If you have any of these issues, consult an immigration attorney before applying.
Global Entry membership for nonimmigrant visa holders is tied to your authorized period of stay. When your visa status expires, your Global Entry membership may be revoked even if it has not reached the 5-year mark. CBP cannot authorize trusted traveler benefits for someone who is no longer lawfully present in the U.S.
When you renew your H1B, L-1, or other visa, update your TTP account with your new I-94 number and visa validity. Keeping your TTP account current prevents premature deactivation of your membership. If you change visa status (e.g., from F-1 to H1B), update your immigration status in the TTP system.
If you receive your green card (LPR status), update your TTP profile to reflect this. LPR status is more stable than nonimmigrant status and provides a cleaner basis for Global Entry membership without the complication of visa expiration dates.
If you travel outside the U.S. for more than 6 months and re-enter, CBP may flag your account for review. Maintaining uninterrupted lawful status and documenting each international trip helps avoid unnecessary program flags. Carrying your I-797 approval notice, recent pay stubs, and H1B petition when re-entering the U.S. via Global Entry kiosks is good practice.
In addition to Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, CBP operates NEXUS (expedited travel between the U.S. and Canada, $50 for 5 years) and SENTRI (expedited travel between the U.S. and Mexico, $122.25 for 5 years). Both programs include Global Entry benefits and TSA PreCheck at no additional cost.
NEXUS is ideal for visa holders who frequently travel between the U.S. and Canada. It provides dedicated lanes at the land border, expedited processing at the Canadian preclearance facility, and Global Entry-equivalent processing at airports. Canadian nationals who work in the U.S. on TN visas are natural NEXUS candidates.
SENTRI is for frequent travelers between the U.S. and Mexico. It requires an in-person enrollment appointment at a SENTRI enrollment center near the southern border. Like NEXUS, it includes TSA PreCheck and Global Entry airport benefits. Visa holders with family or business ties to Mexico benefit significantly from SENTRI enrollment.
CBP also maintains the Customs-Trade Partnership Against Terrorism (C-TPAT) for business importers and the Free and Secure Trade (FAST) program for commercial truck drivers—these are separate business-focused programs, not personal trusted traveler programs for individual visa holders.
H1B Visa Jobs Editorial Team
Senior Immigration Attorney
15+ years specializing in employment-based immigration. Has helped thousands of professionals navigate U.S. visa processes.