Saudi Arabia allows its citizens to join the US Trusted Traveler Program, Global Entry
Global Entry Program for Saudi Citizens
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that the U.S. Trusted Traveler Program (Global Entry) is now available to Saudi citizens, in a step aimed at facilitating travel procedures to the United States and accelerating entry procedures through American airports.
The announcement comes within the framework of strengthening bilateral cooperation between the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and the United States of America. The program allows accepted travelers to take advantage of dedicated lanes and procedures to reduce wait times upon arrival, as well as the ability to benefit from expedited security screening benefits according to the program's terms.
According to the announcement by the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued on Tuesday, October 27, 2026, Saudi citizens can apply to join the program after meeting eligibility requirements and obtaining the necessary approvals.
What is the Global Entry Program?
Global Entry is one of the Trusted Traveler programs belonging to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It aims to expedite entry procedures into the United States for approved travelers by using self-service kiosks or designated electronic systems at participating airports.
The program targets the facilitation of arrival procedures and the reduction of time spent by travelers in passport control and border procedure queues, especially for those who travel to the United States frequently. Information about the Global Entry program can be found on the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.
Program Benefits for Saudi Travelers
The program offers a range of facilitations for accepted Saudi citizens, most notably:
1. Expedited Entry Procedures into the US
Members can use lanes or systems designated for trusted travelers at participating airports, which helps reduce wait times and complete entry procedures faster than traditional methods in many cases.
2. Benefit from Expedited Security Screening
Qualified members can benefit from the TSA PreCheck program, which allows passage through dedicated security screening lanes at participating U.S. airports.
Typical facilitations include the ability to keep shoes, belts, and light jackets on, and not having to remove laptops and certain liquids from bags, according to applicable screening rules. This does not mean an exemption from security screening, and benefiting from these advantages is subject to the program's terms and the details of the booking and trip.
3. Time Savings for Frequent Travelers
The program represents a suitable option for travelers who visit the United States consistently, whether for tourism, business, or family visits, due to the ability to expedite procedures and reduce wait times at participating airports.
Registration, Fees, and Interview
How to Register for the US Trusted Traveler Program
Those wishing to join the program can review the official registration platform belonging to the U.S. government: Trusted Traveler Programs Platform.
Typical registration steps include the following:
- Create an account on the official platform and fill out the application.
- Pay the required application fees.
- Wait for the application review and receive conditional approval.
- Conduct a personal interview and complete identity verification and fingerprinting procedures, according to program requirements.
- Wait for final approval and membership activation.
Notice: One should ensure that the platform has begun accepting applications from Saudi citizens before applying and paying fees, as the announcement alone is not enough to prove that the system has actually started accepting applications for this category.
How much are the program fees and the membership duration?
The currently published Global Entry application fee is 120 US dollars, and the membership covers a period of five years, according to the applicable terms.
One should check the official platform before paying to confirm the current fees, refund policies, and applicant eligibility; as procedures and fees may be subject to updates.
Can the interview be conducted upon arrival in the US?
The Enrollment on Arrival service allows some applicants who have received conditional approval to complete the interview upon arrival at participating U.S. airports, without the need to book an appointment in advance, subject to service availability and terms.
However, the service is not available at all airports or at all times, so it is recommended to check the airport and service hours before traveling and not rely on the possibility of completing the interview upon arrival without confirmation.
Travel Requirements and Membership Benefits
Does a traveler need a US visa?
Yes, the Global Entry program is not a visa for entry into the United States, and it does not exempt the traveler from meeting applicable entry and immigration requirements.
Saudi citizens are still required to obtain the appropriate visa whenever it is needed and to meet all other entry requirements, even after their membership in the program is approved. Additionally, registration does not guarantee final acceptance, as the applicant is subject to eligibility review, security checks, and established procedures.
What is a KTN and how does a traveler use it?
After final acceptance, members receive an identification number known as a Known Traveler Number (KTN), which can be added to the traveler's information with the airline or entered into booking details.
This helps link the booking to the member's status as a qualified traveler to benefit from TSA PreCheck, and the program's logo may appear on the boarding pass when conditions are met. Nevertheless, having a KTN does not guarantee that the TSA PreCheck logo will appear on every flight; as the benefit depends on the traveler's eligibility, booking details, the airline, and the flight.
When does the program start for Saudis?
The Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that the program is available to Saudi citizens on Tuesday, October 27, 2026.
However, the published announcement does not specify an independent date for the program to enter into effect, and one should verify the activation of application reception for Saudis via the official U.S. registration platform before concluding that applying has actually become available.
Therefore, those wishing to join are advised to follow updates from the Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the official Trusted Traveler Programs platform to know the status of registration and the approved terms.
Is the Global Entry Program worth registering for?
Global Entry may be a suitable option for Saudi citizens who travel to the United States frequently, especially since the membership extends for five years and allows for faster procedures when conditions are met.
As for travelers who visit the United States at long intervals, they can compare the cost of membership with the expected number of trips and their actual benefit from the facilitations.
Official Sources
- Saudi Ministry of Foreign Affairs: https://www.mofa.gov.sa/
- U.S. Trusted Traveler Programs Platform: https://ttp.dhs.gov/
- U.S. Customs and Border Protection: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA): https://www.tsa.gov/precheck
