Changes to Global Entry Would Make it Free for Kids and increase the application cost to $120. Global Entry is great for clearing immigration quickly after an international flight to the U.S., and includes TSA PreCheck, speeding security prior to flights.
Currently, kids under 18 pay the same $100 application fee that adults do, but both of these are expected to change if the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) proposed Global Entry, SENTRI and NEXUS Fee Changes (which are open for public comment until 11/9/20) go into effect.
Global Entry to Become Free for Kids Under 18 if Parent Applies for Global Entry
While we've been fortunate enough to be able to take advantage of our multiple credit cards that cover the current $100 Global Entry to not have to pay for our son's Global Entry application or renewal fee, the proposed rule change will be good news for those who don't have enough premium credit cards to reimburse their and their children's fees.
With the proposed change, kids under 18 would not pay the Global Entry, SENTRI, or NEXUS application fee if they were applying at the same time as their parent or legal guardian, or if the adult is already a member of Global Entry.
If, however, this is not the case and the child's parent or guardian is neither a member nor is applying concurrently, the child would have to pay the application fee.
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Global Entry Fee to increase to $120, Same Fee for NEXUS and SENTRI
Currently the programs have different application fees: $100 for Global Entry, $122.25 for SENTRI and $50 for NEXUS. CBP has noted that the current fees are no longer enough to cover CBP's administration costs, so a cost increase is necessary. CBP also wants to harmonize the fees among the programs, so the proposed new fee would be $120, a $20 increase for Global Entry and a $70 increase for NEXUS, although a slight decrease for SENTRI.
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Credit Cards That Reimburse Global Entry
A number of credit cards include a reimbursement for the current $100 Global Entry application/renewal fee, every four years; presumably this would increase to $120 if CBP's proposed rule change goes into effect, although there's no word on this yet.
Cards that reimburse the fee include the Chase Sapphire Reserve, the 60K United Explorer, AMEX Platinum, AMEX Business Platinum, Citi Prestige, and other cards.
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No date set for any of the changes. Hope they send out emails to everyone and post something on the website.
The last to know will likely be the CBP Officers doing the interviews.
February 2022 and still no update on when/if changes will occur to allow children free enrollment in Global Entry.