Key Takeaways
- TSA PreCheck and International Entry are trusted traveler applications that supply expedited safety screening and different advantages.
- TSA PreCheck is primarily for home journey, whereas International Entry consists of expedited customs clearance for worldwide journey.
- Each applications require an software, background examine, and price cost.
- TSA PreCheck prices $78-85 for a 5-year membership, whereas International Entry prices $100 for a 5-year membership.
- Selecting between TSA PreCheck and International Entry is determined by private elements corresponding to journey frequency, worldwide journey, and price range.
TSA PreCheck and International Entry are trusted traveler applications below the Division of Homeland Safety and may also help make your journey days extra fulfilling. They’re related applications, however have some key variations that may allow you to resolve which one is best for you and your adventures.
TSA PreCheck affords expedited safety screening advantages for home flights departing from U.S. airports, permitting vacationers to maintain their belts on and laptops packed at over 200 U.S. airports and with greater than 90 taking part airways. The traces for TSA PreCheck are sometimes shorter than normal safety traces, which might make the distinction between catching and lacking your flight should you’re working late or traces are lengthy.
International Entry consists of TSA PreCheck advantages, plus expedited U.S. customs screening for worldwide air vacationers getting into the US. International Entry prices $100 for 5 years, whereas first-time enrollment to TSA PreCheck prices $78-$85 for 5 years.
In case you suppose you may be taking a couple of journeys internationally within the subsequent 5 years, paying the additional cash for International Entry could also be price it.
Unsure which is greatest for you? Right here’s what to think about.
What Is TSA PreCheck?
Run by the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration, TSA PreCheck accelerates safety screenings for home flights departing from main U.S. airports.
Advantages
TSA PreCheck is fashionable for its effectivity and comfort. With it, you received’t have to take away your belt or jacket whenever you undergo safety. Moreover, you possibly can preserve your liquids and laptop computer in your bag. When you have youngsters 17 and below, they will be part of you within the devoted lanes when touring on the identical reservation and when TSA PreCheck seems on the kid’s boarding move.
Total, the expedited screening course of will get you to your gate quicker and with fewer surprises. In response to the TSA, most enrolled passengers get via safety in about 10 minutes.
Eligibility Standards and Software Course of
To be eligible for TSA PreCheck, it’s good to be a U.S. citizen, U.S. nationwide, or U.S. lawful everlasting resident. Residents of associate international locations enrolled in International Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI may take part in TSA PreCheck. You’ll additionally have to move a background examine and don’t have any travel-related violations.
To use, it’s good to fill out a kind on-line, then go to a 10-minute appointment at an enrollment middle. On the in-person go to, they’ll accumulate your biometric knowledge (fingerprints, picture), confirm your id, do a background examine and accumulate cost.
As soon as accepted, you’ll obtain a Recognized Traveler Quantity (KTN). Add this quantity to your airline reservations to get “TSA PreCheck” displayed in your boarding move, granting you entry to the designated traces (in most airports) for TSA PreCheck passengers. You’ll manually add your KTN when reserving on-line by way of a taking part airline web site.
Some airways, corresponding to Southwest and American Airways, permit you to add your KTN to your profile in order that it routinely applies to your reservations.
Price and Length
Enrollment in PreCheck lasts 5 years. TSA works with two enrollment companions for PreCheck—Idemia and Telos. First-time enrollment with Idemia is $78, or $85 with Telos. On-line renewal is $70 via both supplier.
Tip
When you have a bank card with premium journey advantages, they could present a press release credit score for the appliance charges of both program.
What Is International Entry?
Run by U.S. Customs and Border Safety below Homeland Safety, the International Entry program is extra complete, offering extra advantages for preapproved, low-risk vacationers arriving in the US.
Advantages
International Entry affords all the advantages of TSA PreCheck, plus expedited entry for worldwide vacationers. When returning to the U.S. from journey overseas, you get to skip the traces and paperwork at greater than 75 airports. Simply scan your passport on the International Entry kiosks, have your picture taken, and also you’re achieved. International Entry additionally consists of expedited customs screening for worldwide air vacationers when getting into the U.S.
Eligibility Standards and Software Course of
International Entry is on the market to U.S. lawful everlasting residents and choose overseas nationals. The appliance course of is similar to TSA PreCheck: You might want to full a web based software, pay a price, and submit biometric data in-person for a background examine.
Not like PreCheck, the in-person interviews for International Entry happen nearly solely at airports, with fewer obtainable places and appointments.
As with PreCheck, you’ll get a recognized traveler quantity as soon as accepted, which you’ll be able to add to airline reservations. You’ll additionally get a plastic ID card for International Entry.
Price and Length
International Entry prices $100 for 5 years. Some premium journey bank card issuers, corresponding to Capital One and Chase, supply assertion credit for the appliance value of International Entry or PreCheck as advantages on choose playing cards.
Key Variations
TSA PreCheck is barely cheaper and simpler to get than International Entry. Nonetheless, International Entry affords extra complete advantages on each home flights in addition to worldwide flights to the U.S. Each supply quicker safety screening and a smoother airport expertise.
Variations Between PreCheck and International Entry
TSA PreCheck
International Entry
Advantages
-Expedited bodily safety screenings at over 200 main U.S. airports
-Maintain your belt and jacket on
-Maintain liquids and laptops in your bag.
-Software charges coated by sure bank cards
-Contains TSA PreCheck, plus expedited customs screening for entry to the U.S.
-Use digital kiosks for lowered wait instances
-No paperwork to fill out upon entry
-Software charges coated by sure bank cards
Price
Beginning at $78 for 5 years, $70 to resume
$100 for 5 years
Software course of
Software, background examine, and interview at 500+ enrollment facilities
Software, background examine, and interview at 116 enrollment facilities
Which Program Is Proper for You?
Generally, International Entry makes extra sense should you journey internationally, whereas TSA PreCheck is right for home journey. You don’t have to get TSA PreCheck if you have already got International Entry, because it’s included. So, if you have already got a passport and you’ll afford the appliance price, International Entry is sensible.
Alternatively, should you solely journey domestically, simply getting TSA PreCheck may be simpler for the reason that processing time is way shorter than for International Entry. TSA recommends enrolling in International Entry should you journey internationally 4 or extra instances a 12 months. However lengthy immigration traces could make the additional $15-$22 appear worthwhile even should you simply make the occasional journey overseas,
Nonetheless, bear in mind, International Entry solely provides you expedited entry into the U.S., so there’s no profit whenever you’re touring to a overseas vacation spot or between overseas international locations.
Tip
Unsure which one is best for you? Use this calculator on the backside of this webpage to decide on a program primarily based in your journey wants.
The way to Apply to TSA PreCheck or International Entry
Listed here are the steps to use for International Entry:
1. Apply on-line: Create a Trusted Traveler Applications (TTP) account and pay a $100 non-refundable price.
2. Enroll: When you obtain conditional approval, you’ve gotten the choice to finish your interview upon arrival into the US at an Enrollment on Arrival location. Or, schedule an interview at a International Entry Enrollment Middle.
Warning
The appliance processing time for International Entry is at the moment 4-6 months, so make certain to plan accordingly.
Customs Border Safety recommends passengers who’re flying internationally into the U.S. to finish International Entry enrollment at an Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) location as a substitute for scheduling an interview at an Enrollment Middle.
3. Membership: When you’ve accomplished the enrollment interview, your International Entry membership lasts 5 years.
Listed here are the steps to use for TSA PreCheck:
1. Apply On-line: Select your enrollment supplier and placement close to you, after which fill out the web software.
2. In-person enrollment appointment: Attend a 10-minute go to at your chosen supplier that features fingerprinting, doc and picture seize, and cost.
3. Take pleasure in TSA PreCheck: As soon as accepted, your membership lasts for 5 years. Add your Recognized Traveler Quantity (KTN) to your airline reservations to be sure you’ll have the ability to use PreCheck on the airport.
For TSA PreCheck, you should use a sound passport, an unexpired U.S. Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), everlasting resident or “Inexperienced Card”, and different acceptable paperwork. For International Entry, it’s essential to carry a sound passport to the interview.
Can I Use TSA PreCheck for Worldwide Journey?
You need to use TSA PreCheck for home flights departing from U.S. airports, together with whenever you depart from a U.S. airport to a overseas nation and for home connecting flights after you come to the US. Make sure it’s in your boarding move whenever you examine in and have your KTN with you if essential.
How Lengthy Does It Take to Get Accredited for TSA PreCheck or International Entry?
For TSA PreCheck, most candidates obtain their Recognized Traveler Quantity (KTN) in 3-5 days, though some purposes can take as much as 60 days. International Entry processing instances might be longer, with the appliance course of taking as much as 6 months.
Can I Apply for Each TSA PreCheck and International Entry?
You’ll be able to, however should you’re going to need each, you would possibly as properly simply apply for International entry, because it consists of TSA PreCheck. When you have home journey developing quickly and also you don’t need to wait, get PreCheck. Simply bear in mind that you simply’ll nonetheless must undergo a second course of and pay extra should you later buy International Entry.
How Can I Get International Entry or TSA PreCheck for Free?
- Navy Members and DoD Civilians can use TSA PreCheck program’s precedence move without spending a dime for themselves and accompanying youngsters 18 and below.
- Greater than 30 bank cards together with Southwest Fast Rewards enterprise bank card, Capital One Enterprise playing cards, and the Citi Status Card supply a press release credit score in direction of the TSA PreCheck software or renewal price.
- When making use of for TSA PreCheck via IDEMIA, you will get reimbursements via lodge and airline loyalty applications like Marriott Bonvoy, Southwest Airways Extra Rewards, and United Mileage Plus.
- Many of those applications will reimburse you for both PreCheck or International Entry, examine along with your supplier.
The Backside Line
At simply $15-$22 extra for a similar perks and extra, International Entry is a complete selection for vacationers who need to streamline the airport expertise. In case you journey each domestically and internationally, it’s probably price the additional value and time to get International Entry because it already consists of the advantages of TSA PreCheck. No matter which program you select, planning forward is essential to benefit from these trusted traveler applications.
