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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 verify, and price fee.
- 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 relies on private components similar to journey frequency, worldwide journey, and funds.
TSA PreCheck and International Entry are trusted traveler applications beneath the Division of Homeland Safety and will help make your journey days extra pleasant. They’re related applications, however have some key variations that may enable you to resolve which one is best for you and your adventures.
TSA PreCheck provides 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 strains for TSA PreCheck are sometimes shorter than normal safety strains, which may make the distinction between catching and lacking your flight if you happen to’re working late or strains are lengthy.
International Entry consists of TSA PreCheck advantages, plus expedited U.S. customs screening for worldwide air vacationers coming into the US. International Entry prices $100 for 5 years, whereas first-time enrollment to TSA PreCheck prices $78-$85 for 5 years.
For those who assume you is likely to be taking just a few journeys internationally within the subsequent 5 years, paying the additional cash for International Entry could also be price it.
Undecided which is finest for you? Right here’s what to contemplate.
What Is TSA PreCheck?
Run by the U.S. Transportation Safety Administration, TSA PreCheck quickens safety screenings for home flights departing from main U.S. airports.
Advantages
TSA PreCheck is fashionable for its effectivity and comfort. With it, you gained’t must 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 beneath, 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 by way of safety in about 10 minutes.
Eligibility Standards and Software Course of
To be eligible for TSA PreCheck, that you must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. nationwide, or U.S. lawful everlasting resident. Residents of companion nations enrolled in International Entry, NEXUS or SENTRI can even take part in TSA PreCheck. You’ll additionally must move a background verify and don’t have any travel-related violations.
To use, that you must fill out a kind on-line, then go to a 10-minute appointment at an enrollment heart. On the in-person go to, they’ll gather your biometric information (fingerprints, picture), confirm your id, do a background verify and gather fee.
As soon as permitted, 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 strains (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, similar to Southwest and American Airways, mean you can add your KTN to your profile in order that it robotically applies to your reservations.
Value and Period
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 by way of 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 beneath Homeland Safety, the International Entry program is extra complete, offering extra advantages for preapproved, low-risk vacationers arriving in the US.
Advantages
International Entry provides 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 strains and paperwork at greater than 75 airports. Simply scan your passport on the International Entry kiosks, have your picture taken, and also you’re finished. International Entry additionally consists of expedited customs screening for worldwide air vacationers when coming into the U.S.
Eligibility Standards and Software Course of
International Entry is on the market to U.S. lawful everlasting residents and choose international nationals. The appliance course of is similar to TSA PreCheck: It’s good to full a web based software, pay a price, and submit biometric data in-person for a background verify.
Not like PreCheck, the in-person interviews for International Entry happen nearly solely at airports, with fewer accessible places and appointments.
As with PreCheck, you’ll get a recognized traveler quantity as soon as permitted, which you’ll add to airline reservations. You’ll additionally get a plastic ID card for International Entry.
Value and Period
International Entry prices $100 for 5 years. Some premium journey bank card issuers, similar to Capital One and Chase, provide assertion credit for the appliance price 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. Nevertheless, International Entry provides extra complete advantages on each home flights in addition to worldwide flights to the U.S. Each provide 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 -Preserve your belt and jacket on -Preserve 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 decreased wait occasions -No paperwork to fill out upon entry -Software charges coated by sure bank cards |
| Value | Beginning at $78 for 5 years, $70 to resume | $100 for 5 years |
| Software course of | Software, background verify, and interview at 500+ enrollment facilities | Software, background verify, and interview at 116 enrollment facilities |
Which Program Is Proper for You?
Typically, International Entry makes extra sense if you happen to journey internationally, whereas TSA PreCheck is right for home journey. You don’t must 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.
However, if you happen to solely journey domestically, simply getting TSA PreCheck is likely to be simpler because the processing time is way shorter than for International Entry. TSA recommends enrolling in International Entry if you happen to journey internationally 4 or extra occasions a yr. However lengthy immigration strains could make the additional $15-$22 appear worthwhile even if you happen to simply make the occasional journey overseas,
Nevertheless, be mindful, International Entry solely offers you expedited entry into the U.S., so there’s no profit whenever you’re touring to a international vacation spot or between international nations.
Tip
Undecided which one is best for you? Use this calculator on the backside of this webpage to decide on a program based mostly in your journey wants.
The best way to Apply to TSA PreCheck or International Entry
Listed below are the steps to use for International Entry:
1. Apply on-line: Create a Trusted Traveler Packages (TTP) account and pay a $100 non-refundable price.
2. Enroll: When you obtain conditional approval, you have got 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 Heart.
Warning
The appliance processing time for International Entry is presently 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 an alternative choice to scheduling an interview at an Enrollment Heart.
3. Membership: When you’ve accomplished the enrollment interview, your International Entry membership lasts 5 years.
Listed below 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 net software.
2. In-person enrollment appointment: Attend a 10-minute go to at your chosen supplier that features fingerprinting, doc and picture seize, and fee.
3. Take pleasure in TSA PreCheck: As soon as permitted, your membership lasts for 5 years. Add your Recognized Traveler Quantity (KTN) to your airline reservations to ensure you’ll have the ability to use PreCheck on the airport.
For TSA PreCheck, you should utilize a legitimate passport, an unexpired U.S. Enhanced Driver’s License (EDL), everlasting resident or “Inexperienced Card”, and different acceptable paperwork. For International Entry, you could deliver a legitimate passport to the interview.
Can I Use TSA PreCheck for Worldwide Journey?
You should use TSA PreCheck for home flights departing from U.S. airports, together with whenever you depart from a U.S. airport to a international nation and for home connecting flights after you come to the US. Make sure it’s in your boarding move whenever you verify in and have your KTN with you if needed.
How Lengthy Does It Take to Get Authorized 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 occasions may be longer, with the appliance course of taking as much as 6 months.
Can I Apply for Each TSA PreCheck and International Entry?
You may, however if you happen to’re going to need each, you would possibly as effectively simply apply for International entry, because it consists of TSA PreCheck. When you have home journey developing quickly and also you don’t wish to wait, get PreCheck. Simply remember that you simply’ll nonetheless need to undergo a second course of and pay extra if you happen to later buy International Entry.
How Can I Get International Entry or TSA PreCheck for Free?
- Army Members and DoD Civilians can use TSA PreCheck program’s precedence move without spending a dime for themselves and accompanying youngsters 18 and beneath.
- Greater than 30 bank cards together with Southwest Speedy Rewards enterprise bank card, Capital One Enterprise playing cards, and the Citi Status Card provide a press release credit score in direction of the TSA PreCheck software or renewal price.
- When making use of for TSA PreCheck by way of IDEMIA, you may get reimbursements by way of resort 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, verify together 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 wish to streamline the airport expertise. For those who journey each domestically and internationally, it’s doubtless price the additional price 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.
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