Global Entry and TSA PreCheck for Indian Citizens in 2026: Eligibility, the Two-Step Process and Cost
By Ananya Singh (Ananya Singh writes step-by-step first-international-trip guides for Indians — passport rules, visa cascade timing, immigration walkthroughs, and the unglamorous logistics that separate a smooth trip from a stranded one.) · Published · Last updated · 10 min read
Indian citizens are now eligible for US Global Entry, which speeds up US immigration and bundles TSA PreCheck for domestic US flights. Here's the two-step enrolment via the TTP portal and Passport Seva, the $100 fee, the visa requirement, and whether it's worth it.
Quick answer
Yes — Indian citizens can now enrol in US Global Entry, which fast-tracks US arrival immigration and includes TSA PreCheck for domestic US flights. As of June 2026, India is among the countries whose citizens are eligible. Enrolment is a two-step process: complete the US Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) online application and pay the $100 non-refundable fee at ttp.dhs.gov, then complete a background-check step via India's Passport Seva portal (with a separate ₹500 fee). You must hold a valid passport and a valid US visa to use the Global Entry lanes. Membership lasts 5 years. Fees and process change — confirm on the official CBP and Passport Seva sites. See our US visa guide and airport fast-track guide.
What Global Entry and TSA PreCheck actually do
Two related benefits, often confused:
- Global Entry — speeds up your arrival into the US. Instead of the regular immigration queue, members use Global Entry kiosks/lanes for a faster clearance. Hugely valuable at busy US airports where lines can run long.
- TSA PreCheck — speeds up US domestic-flight security screening (keep shoes/belt on, laptop in bag, shorter lines). Global Entry members get TSA PreCheck included.
So one enrolment helps both at the international border and on connecting domestic US flights. For Indians who travel to the US for business or family — often with onward domestic legs — this combination saves real time. Plan your US routing in the FlightGPT chat.
Eligibility — and the visa requirement
For Indian citizens, two things must be true:
- You're an Indian citizen eligible under the program (India is now included).
- You hold a valid passport and a valid US visa — Global Entry does not replace a visa; you still need your B1/B2 (or other) visa to enter the US, and the membership lets you use the faster lanes.
You also need a clean background — prior immigration or customs violations, certain criminal records, or providing false information can lead to denial. Global Entry is a 'trusted traveller' program, so the bar is a clean record. If you don't yet have a US visa, sort that first — see our US tourist visa guide.
The two-step enrolment process
For Indian citizens, enrolment runs through both US and Indian systems. As of June 2026:
- Step 1 — TTP application: Create an account and apply on the US Trusted Traveler Programs portal at ttp.dhs.gov, paying the $100 non-refundable fee.
- Step 2 — Indian background check: Submit the required information and a separate ₹500 fee on India's Passport Seva portal (passportindia.gov.in) for the India-side background verification.
- Conditional approval and interview: After checks, you receive conditional approval and complete an interview/enrolment step (this can often be done on arrival at a US airport's enrolment centre, or at designated locations).
Indian missions in the US (Washington DC and several consulates) also support GEP applications for Indians residing in the US. Confirm the exact current steps on CBP and Passport Seva before paying.
Cost and validity
As of June 2026 (verify on official sites):
- $100 non-refundable TTP application fee (~₹8,400, rate-dependent)
- ₹500 for the India-side background-check step on Passport Seva
- 5-year membership before renewal
The $100 is non-refundable even if you're denied, so make sure you meet eligibility (valid visa, clean record) before applying. Over five years, for a frequent US traveller, the time saved at immigration and domestic security usually justifies the cost. Pay the $100 with a zero-forex-markup Indian card to avoid the conversion surcharge.
Renewals and keeping membership active
Global Entry membership runs for 5 years, after which you renew. A few practical notes for Indians:
- Renew before expiry — you can usually start renewal up to a year before it lapses; the $100 fee applies again, and the India-side step may be required.
- Keep your profile current — update your passport and visa details in your TTP account whenever they change, or the lanes may not work.
- Use your membership number when booking — enter your Known Traveler/GE number in the airline reservation so TSA PreCheck appears on your US domestic boarding pass.
- Behave at the border — Global Entry is a trusted-traveller privilege; violations (like failing to declare goods) can get your membership revoked.
Treat it as an account to maintain, not a one-and-done. For a frequent US traveller, keeping it active across renewals compounds the time savings. Confirm current renewal steps and fees on the official CBP TTP site, since the process for Indian citizens is relatively new and may evolve.
Is it worth it for Indian travellers?
A quick decision frame:
- Worth it — you visit the US more than occasionally, often with domestic connections, and value skipping long immigration and security lines. The 5-year term spreads the cost.
- Maybe not — a one-off US trip with no domestic legs; the time saved may not justify $100 + ₹500 and the enrolment effort.
If you travel to the US regularly for work or to see family, Global Entry plus TSA PreCheck is one of the better time-savers available to Indians. For other fast-track options at Indian airports, see our fast-track immigration guide. Once your US visa and trip are set, price flights and connections in the FlightGPT chat.
Frequently asked questions
Can Indian citizens get US Global Entry in 2026?
Yes. As of June 2026, India is among the countries whose citizens are eligible for US Global Entry. You enrol via the US TTP portal (ttp.dhs.gov) and complete an India-side background check through Passport Seva. You must hold a valid US visa to use the lanes.
How much does Global Entry cost for Indians?
A $100 non-refundable application fee on the US TTP portal, plus a separate ₹500 for the India-side background-check step on Passport Seva. Membership lasts 5 years. The $100 isn't refunded if you're denied, so confirm eligibility first.
Does Global Entry include TSA PreCheck?
Yes. Global Entry members get TSA PreCheck, which speeds up security screening on US domestic flights. Global Entry itself speeds up your arrival into the US at immigration. One enrolment covers both.
Does Global Entry replace my US visa?
No. Global Entry is a trusted-traveller program that lets you use faster immigration lanes — you still need a valid passport and a valid US visa (such as B1/B2) to enter the US.
Is Global Entry worth it for Indian travellers?
It's worth it if you visit the US more than occasionally, especially with domestic connections, since the 5-year membership spreads the cost and saves long queue time. For a single US trip with no domestic legs, it may not justify the fee and effort.