Saudi citizens traveling to the United States can now bypass the lengthy airport queues thanks to the Kingdom's official entry into the U.S. Global Entry program.

Managed and implemented by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the initiative grants pre-approved, low-risk Saudi travellers expedited immigration and customs clearance, alongside access to the faster TSA PreCheck security lanes. Designed to cut airport wait times, the partnership will now provide eligible Saudi passport holders with expedited clearance and a more efficient arrival experience in the United States.

Beyond reducing airport waiting times, the initiative is expected to support travel between the two countries for professional, commercial, educational and cultural purposes. For Saudi citizens who frequently travel to the United States, Global Entry offers another practical tool for making international journeys more efficient.

Speaking with Arab News, Diane J. Sabatino, executive assistant commissioner of CBP’s Office of Field Operations, said: “Travel should build bridges. By extending Global Entry eligibility to Saudi Arabian citizens, we are making international travel more seamless for trusted travellers while strengthening cooperation between our two countries. This milestone reflects our shared vision for secure and efficient travel.”

What Saudi travellers need to know about Global Entry

Saudi Arabian Passport

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Announced on October 27, 2026, the agreement makes Saudi Arabia an official partner in the US Global Entry programme. Joining more than 20 other nations such as the United Arab Emirates, Singapore and the United Kingdom, Saudi Arabia is now part of a growing network of international countries whose citizens and passport holders can apply for membership, and avail of the streamlined travel initiative.

The US' Global Entry scheme is part of the nation's Trusted Traveller Programs initiative. Intended to create a more effortless airport arrival experience, the initiative significantly cuts immigration wait times for pre-approved Saudi travellers without compromising stringent U.S. border security standards. Approved members can use dedicated processing facilities at participating US airports to complete arrival procedures more efficiently. Membership also provides Saudi citizens with access to TSA PreCheck for eligible flights, allowing travellers to use expedited security screening lanes at participating US airports.

Saudi Arabian citizens aged 18 and older can apply directly for US Global Entry programme, while parents or legal guardians may apply on behalf of - or grant consent for - minor applicants.

It is important to note that the Global Entry scheme does not replace a US visa or other required travel documents and authorisation, and Saudi travellers must still meet the entry requirements applicable to their circumstances.

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How to apply for Global Entry

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Saudi citizens can submit applications to the Global Entry scheme through the official Trusted Traveler Programs website. Once approved for the scheme, the membership lasts five years if programme conditions continue to be met, and final approval is subject to vetting and an interview.

Applicants seeking this pre-approval status must complete the online application or fill out the application on the Trusted Traveler mobile application. The applicants will then be required to pay a non-refundable fee of US$120 and also undergo a series of background checks. Saudi passport holders who receive the initial, conditional approval must also complete an in-person interview with US Customs and Border Protection before their membership is activated. All applications for the Global Entry programme are assessed individually, and applying does not guarantee approval or access to the scheme.

Through the mobile application, applicants can monitor the progress of their membership application, and indeed the status, arrange interviews and manage renewals. Once approved and enrolled, members can also use the application to confirm their arrival into the USA, to help make the airport process more efficient.

Key US airports participating in this scheme include John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York, O'Hare International Airport in Chicago, Newark Liberty International Airport in New Jersey, Boston-Logan International Airport, Los Angeles International Airport and San Francisco International Airport.

What is the difference between US Global Entry and TSA PreCheck?

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While the two programmes are linked, they serve different purposes. For Saudi travellers who visit the United States regularly for business, leisure or education, the combined benefits of these programmes could make the airport experience more convenient.

The Global Entry programme is designed to expedite immigration and customs processing for select nationalities, when arriving in the United States from an international journey. Whilst TSA PreCheck offers eligible travellers a faster security screening process, and a separate queue, when departing from participating US airports, including on qualifying domestic flights.

Countries eligible to apply for US Global Entry

Passport holders and citizens of twenty three countries around the world can apply for the US Global Entry scheme.

Argentina
Australia
Bahrain
Brazil
Canada (via NEXUS membership)
Colombia
Costa Rica
Croatia
Dominican Republic
El Salvador
Germany
India
Japan
Jordan
Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (added October 2026)
Mexico
The Netherlands
Panama
Singapore
South Korea
Switzerland
Taiwan
United Arab Emirates
United Kingdom

US Global Entry for Saudi Arabian citizens and passport holders was announced on October 27, 2026
All Saudi Arabian citizens and passports over the age of 18 are eligible to apply; an in-person interview and a non-refundable US$120 fee also part of the process
Applications for the US Global Entry can be made via the official Trusted Traveler Program website
Make an application here

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