US Trusted Traveler Programs: Global Entry, PreCheck, SENTRI, NEXUS

Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS all cost the same $120 for five years now — a recent CBP fee harmonization erased the price differences that used to separate them. That leaves TSA PreCheck as the only genuinely cheaper (and more limited) option of the four. This page is the map: what each program actually does, what it costs, and which one (or two) actually fits your travel pattern.

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The Four Programs at a Glance

Three of these four programs are stacked, not competing: SENTRI and NEXUS each include everything Global Entry offers, plus one extra border. TSA PreCheck is the odd one out — cheaper, but it never gets you through customs, only through domestic airport security.

Eligibility is where the real differences show up, not price. TSA PreCheck is closed to anyone who isn’t a US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident — full stop. Global Entry opens the door wider, with a list of partner countries whose citizens can apply directly. SENTRI adds citizens of Mexico and Canada specifically; NEXUS is a joint US–Canada program by design. Each program’s eligibility rules trace back to which government (or governments) actually run it.

TSA PreCheck

TSA PreCheck speeds up the security checkpoint at US airports — keep your shoes, belt, and laptop in your bag. It does nothing at international arrival or land borders, and it’s only open to US citizens, nationals, and green card holders. Full breakdown: TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry.

Global Entry

Global Entry is built for one moment: skipping the regular customs line when you fly back into the US from abroad. It includes TSA PreCheck automatically, and — unlike PreCheck — it’s open to citizens of several non-US partner countries too. Full breakdown: TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry for the citizenship angle, or SENTRI vs Global Entry if you’re weighing it against the Mexico land-border option.

SENTRI

SENTRI adds dedicated vehicle lanes at the US–Mexico land border on top of everything Global Entry covers, for the exact same $120 fee. If you ever drive across that border, SENTRI is a strict upgrade over plain Global Entry at no extra cost. Full application walkthrough: How to Get SENTRI. Head-to-head with Global Entry: SENTRI vs Global Entry.

NEXUS

NEXUS is SENTRI’s counterpart for the US–Canada border — land, air, and marine crossings, plus everything Global Entry covers, again for the same $120 fee. The catch: NEXUS requires approval from both the US and Canadian governments, with a joint interview, so it can take longer to get than SENTRI. Full breakdown: SENTRI vs NEXUS.

Which One (or Two) Should You Get?

• You only fly domestically in the US — TSA PreCheck is enough, and cheaper.
• You fly internationally but never cross a land border — Global Entry covers both PreCheck and customs re-entry.
• You drive across the US–Mexico border — get SENTRI instead of Global Entry; same price, strictly more benefit. See SENTRI vs Global Entry.
• You cross the US–Canada border — get NEXUS instead of Global Entry, for the same reason. See SENTRI vs NEXUS for how NEXUS’s approval process differs.
• You regularly cross both the Mexico and Canada borders — this is the one genuine case for holding two memberships (SENTRI and NEXUS) rather than one.

All four of these only cover getting into the US faster. If you’re also flying into Mexico regularly, Mexico runs its own reciprocal program — see Viajero Confiable, which Global Entry and NEXUS members can apply for directly, and which Mexican citizens can get without holding any US program at all.

Ready to take the next step? Book a consultation call — we’ll map out the right path for your situation.

FAQ

What’s the difference between all four trusted traveler programs?

TSA PreCheck only speeds up domestic airport security. Global Entry adds fast US customs re-entry after international flights (and includes PreCheck). SENTRI adds the US–Mexico land border on top of Global Entry’s benefits. NEXUS adds the US–Canada border (land, air, and marine) on top of Global Entry’s benefits.

Do I need more than one trusted traveler program?

Rarely. SENTRI and NEXUS already include Global Entry’s airport benefit and TSA PreCheck, so most people need exactly one membership — whichever matches the border they actually cross. Only people who regularly cross both the Mexico and Canada borders have a real case for holding two.

Are Global Entry, SENTRI, and NEXUS really the same price now?

Yes — CBP harmonized all three to a flat $120 for five years. SENTRI used to cost $122.25 and NEXUS used to cost around $50 before that change, so cost is no longer a reason to pick one over another.

Which trusted traveler program should a non-US citizen apply for?

It depends on citizenship. TSA PreCheck alone is closed to anyone who isn’t a US citizen, US national, or lawful permanent resident. Global Entry, however, is open to citizens of several partner countries — including some in Latin America — so it’s often the only option available to a non-US, non-LPR applicant.

One practical note that applies across all four: every program runs background checks that can take longer than expected, especially around holidays or high-travel seasons. Apply months before you actually need the benefit, not the week before a trip — CBP’s own guidance puts some Global Entry background checks at up to twelve months, and SENTRI/NEXUS interview slots at busy locations can run weeks to months out on top of that.

Related: TSA PreCheck vs Global Entry · SENTRI vs Global Entry · SENTRI vs NEXUS · How to Get SENTRI · Viajero Confiable (Mexico)