U.S. Customs and Border Protection has made Saudi Arabia an official partner in Global Entry, allowing Saudi citizens to apply now for expedited processing at U.S. airports. The partnership is active; it is not a guarantee that any applicant will be accepted.
Applicants still need to complete the program’s screening and enrollment process. A valid passport and visa remain necessary for travel to the United States.
Executive Assistant Commissioner Diane J. Sabatino of the agency’s Office of Field Operations said the expansion supports cooperation between the two countries. “Travel should build bridges,” she said.
The Saudi Embassy welcomed the inclusion, calling it “another milestone in the longstanding strategic partnership between the two countries.”
Saudi applicants face two-country screening and a $120 fee
Citizens of the kingdom can submit applications through the Trusted Traveler Programs website. The application fee is $120 and non-refundable. Applying starts a review; it does not confer membership.
Both U.S. and Saudi authorities vet applicants. CBP also requires an in-person interview before enrollment. The screening and interview are required parts of the process, not optional steps for applicants seeking expedited clearance.
Membership lasts five years, provided members continue to follow program requirements. CBP says violations can lead to enforcement action, including termination of membership. Applicants should distinguish conditional approval from final enrollment: only applicants who complete the required process and receive approval gain benefits.
The program speeds airport clearance but does not replace entry documents
Approved, low-risk travelers can use expedited clearance at U.S. airports. Eligible members also receive access to TSA PreCheck for qualifying domestic flights. The expedited process does not change the underlying requirements to enter the country.
Saudi members must travel with a valid passport and visa to use the program for U.S. entry. They should keep passport details current in their Trusted Traveler Programs dashboard. A new visa or a name change requires an in-person update at a Global Entry Enrollment Center; CBP says no appointment is needed for those updates.
Saudi members will not receive a membership card. A card is not required for TSA PreCheck benefits; members use their membership number in an airline reservation to receive those benefits on eligible domestic flights.
Conditional approval sends applicants to an interview, not automatic enrollment
Applicants can track their status in the dashboard. CBP lists applications as pending, conditionally approved or denied. A conditional approval means the applicant can proceed to an interview; it is not the final decision.
- Submit an application through the Trusted Traveler Programs website and pay the non-refundable fee.
- After conditional approval, schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center, or complete Enrollment on Arrival when entering the United States from abroad. Enrollment on Arrival does not require an appointment.
- Bring a passport and photo ID showing the correct residence address. At the interview, a CBP officer asks questions and takes fingerprints and a photo.
- Check the dashboard or email for CBP’s final eligibility decision. If approved, benefits begin immediately.
The Trusted Traveler mobile app can also support applications, status checks, interview scheduling and membership management. Enrolled members may use it to confirm their arrival in the United States.
Members who want to continue after the five-year term must submit a renewal application through the Trusted Traveler Programs website before membership expires. CBP permits renewal applications up to one year before expiration.
