Are you tired of the hassle of airport security lines? Savvy travelers swear by TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, NEXUS, and CLEAR® Plus for seamless journeys. TSA PreCheck offers quick, hassle-free screening at U.S. domestic airports. Global Entry expedites entry into the U.S. by air, land, and sea, including TSA PreCheck. NEXUS speeds up entry into Canada via all modes of travel, with full TSA PreCheck and Global Entry perks. CLEAR Plus offers rapid identity verification for a swift pass through security checkpoints.
What Is TSA PreCheck?
TSA PreCheck, operated by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), offers expedited airport security screening for travelers. Participants enjoy dedicated lines with less intrusive security measures compared to regular passengers. Members undergo thorough background checks, deemed low risk for security concerns.
At TSA PreCheck lanes, travelers can keep their shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and leave laptops and 3-1-1 liquids in their carry-on luggage. Children under 12 accompanying a TSA PreCheck member can also use the expedited lane without registration, while teens aged 13 to 17 can join their parent or guardian but may still undergo standard screening procedures.
Where Can I Use TSA PreCheck?
SA PreCheck is accessible at over 200 airports across the United States, serving more than 90 airlines. It’s important to note that this program is designed solely for domestic travel, meaning there are no TSA PreCheck facilities at international airports.
What Is NEXUS?
NEXUS is tailored for frequent travelers between the United States and Canada, offering expedited entry at land, marine, and air borders. With NEXUS membership, travelers enjoy TSA PreCheck and Global Entry benefits when flying, along with access to NEXUS kiosks upon arrival in Canada. On land, members can access dedicated NEXUS and SENTRI lanes at border crossings, typically with shorter queues compared to regular lanes.
Jointly managed by both nations, NEXUS requires applicants to undergo interviews with border patrol officers from both Canada and the U.S. Infants and children also need to be registered for NEXUS, similar to the requirements for Global Entry.
Where Can I Use NEXUS?
NEXUS provides expedited entry to the United States or Canada via land, air, or sea. At U.S.-Canada land border crossings, dedicated NEXUS and SENTRI lanes are available, primarily located at the busiest crossings in New York, Michigan, and Washington, along with a few other sites. For air travel, NEXUS members can utilize NEXUS kiosks at nine Canadian airports for quicker entry into Canada, as well as Global Entry kiosks in the U.S. and U.S. pre-clearance facilities for entry into the U.S. Marine travelers can also report their arrival to the U.S. and Canada by phone instead of in person, thanks to NEXUS.
What Is CLEAR Plus?
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CLEAR® Plus, a privately-owned biometric identification service, expedites traveler identification through advanced biometrics. Utilizing iris or fingerprint scans at dedicated kiosks in CLEAR Plus lanes at airports, it bypasses traditional TSA document checks, saving time. However, it’s important to note that CLEAR Plus does not include TSA PreCheck benefits, meaning standard screening procedures still apply, such as removing shoes and laptops from bags.
For access to TSA PreCheck’s reduced screening requirements, enrollment in TSA PreCheck alongside CLEAR Plus is necessary. Many airports provide a separate CLEAR Plus checkpoint for TSA PreCheck members or direct them to the appropriate security line. Although registration for CLEAR Plus is limited to adults 18 and older, children can benefit from the service when accompanied by a registered adult, regardless of relation.
Where Can I Use CLEAR Plus?
CLEAR Plus is accessible at airports throughout the United States. Additionally, if you’re a regular attendee of sporting events and concerts, CLEAR Plus might offer line-skipping benefits there too. Many stadiums now utilize CLEAR services as a substitute for conventional ID checks. Moreover, there’s a free app-based version of CLEAR for event entry.
What Is Global Entry?
We have explained Global Entry in the past, You can view it here:
- What Is Global Entry
- How To Apply For Global Entry
- Global Entry Renewal
- Does Global Entry Works In Europe
Where Can I Use Global Entry?
Global Entry members have access to Global Entry kiosks at U.S. ports of entry and select pre-clearance locations worldwide. These pre-clearance sites, found at international airports like Dublin, Shannon, Aruba, Nassau, Bermuda, Abu Dhabi, and various Canadian cities, allow travelers to clear immigration and customs before departure rather than upon arrival in the U.S.
Additionally, Global Entry facilitates expedited entry via land and sea routes into the U.S. For land travel, members can utilize dedicated NEXUS and SENTRI lanes with their physical Global Entry card.
Other Options
The SENTRI and FAST programs are Trusted Traveler initiatives facilitating expedited entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. SENTRI caters to air and land travelers, while FAST is tailored specifically for commercial truck drivers. Similar to Global Entry and NEXUS, both programs conduct prescreening during the application process, facilitating quicker processing at border crossings.
Another avenue to hasten entry into the U.S. is through the free Mobile Passport Control (MPC) app provided by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, available on Apple and Android platforms. MPC can be utilized by U.S. citizens and Canadian visitors at over 30 U.S. airports, various U.S. preclearance centers in Canadian airports, and four seaports. While not a substitute for Global Entry, MPC can expedite U.S. entry, particularly as it’s not widely used by the general public.
