THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
THE TRANSATLANTIC MAGAZINE
Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers arriving in the United States from international destinations. Americans living abroad who frequently travel back to the US may find having Global Entry useful. Global Entry benefits include:
The program costs $120 to apply, and approval is good for five years. Applications are made online, but an in-person interview with CBP personnel is required for final approval. Appointments can be made for the interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center, but this can be difficult to schedule for Americans living abroad who may have limited available time while in the US.
However, there is also an Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) option for people who have been conditionally approved for Global Entry.
They can complete their interviews, the last step of the Global Entry approval process, while they are clearing entry into the US through Customs and Border Protection.
Do note that Enrollment on Arrival is only available at participating international airports in the US and select Pre-Clearance locations, and is not available for domestic flights and connections. More information about Enrollment on Arrival and a list of participating airports can be found on the CBP website at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-arrival
We inquired with CBP about the Global Entry requirement for applicants to provide "Documents providing evidence of residency. Examples are: driver's license (if the address is current), mortgage, statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.". CBP informed us that Americans who live overseas and do not have a current driver's license issued by a US state, or do not have a mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc. for a US address, may also present other official identification such as that issued by a foreign government.
Two other tips from CBP when using EoA: 1) Bring your membership number/PASSID, which is on the conditional approval letter (to print the letter, log in to the Trusted Traveler Programs website and from the Dashboard display the Notification and then select the Download/print option, and, 2) although EoA is now available at most airports that have international arrivals, it is not available at certain times of night and/or there might be long lines, so do check beforehand the arrival airport's EoA operating hours, which is listed on the EoA website.
More information about the Global Entry program can be found on the CBP website at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
Several AARO members report that they have successfully applied for Global Entry while living abroad. After applying online, paying the required fee, and receiving conditional approval, they have successfully used the Enrollment on Arrival process following their next international flight to the US.
One member, who has only a US passport, reports receiving conditional approval a few days after completing the online application and payment. A second member, who has both a US and UK passport, reports it took about five weeks for conditional approval. In both cases each member was able to use the Enrollment on Arrival process on the next trip to the US and did not have to make an appointment for an interview.
For more information about the Global Entry program and to start the application process, please go to Trusted Traveler Programs at https://ttp.dhs.gov/
Note: The information in this article was last updated on March 9, 2026. However, programs may change at any time, so you should do your own research before proceeding.
