Global Entry Reopens Today After 17-Day Shutdown

Updated: March 11, 2026, 7:02am CDT

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Table of Contents

Why Was Global Entry Closed?
Global Entry Is Back as of This Morning
How To Get Global Entry With No Out-of-Pocket Cost
Final Thoughts

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We’ve got good news about your next trip into the U.S.

If you’ve been grinding through regular passport control lines since late February, your wait is over. Global Entry is back online as of this morning. Here’s everything you need to know.

Why Was Global Entry Closed?

On February 22, 2026, U.S. Customs and Border Protection halted Global Entry arrival processing at airports nationwide. The suspension was part of a broader set of emergency cost-cutting measures implemented by the Department of Homeland Security during a partial funding lapse that had been in effect since mid-February.

TSA PreCheck was briefly paused around the same time — drawing immediate backlash — and DHS reversed course on that program relatively quickly. Global Entry proved harder to restore, sitting offline for 17 days.

What made the situation especially painful? Mobile Passport Control, which we typically recommend as a solid backup for expedited processing at customs, was also suspended at multiple airports during the shutdown. For returning international travelers, that meant no shortcuts — just standard customs lines regardless of Trusted Traveler status or app downloads. Lines got long, and people weren’t happy.

Global Entry Is Back as of This Morning

As of 5 a.m. Eastern time on March 11, 2026, Global Entry kiosks are back up and running at participating airports across the country. If you have international travel on the books, you’re clear to use your Trusted Traveler status again.

Enrollment interviews, which were also paused during the closure, are expected to resume, as well. If you had an existing appointment scheduled during the shutdown, log in to the Trusted Traveler Programs portal to confirm your status and reschedule if needed.

How To Get Global Entry With No Out-of-Pocket Cost

Global Entry costs $120 for a 5-year membership, but if you carry the right travel credit card, that fee is reimbursed as a statement credit. That means you’re not spending anything out of pocket.

A number of widely held travel cards include a Global Entry credit that resets every 4 to 4 1/2 years, conveniently timed to align with the program’s renewal cycle.

Hot Tip:

The process is straightforward: Apply for Global Entry, pay the application fee with your eligible card, and the reimbursement posts automatically. We’ve put together a full breakdown of the cards offering a Global Entry credit if you want to compare your options.

Final Thoughts

The 17-day Global Entry shutdown was a genuine inconvenience for frequent flyers. It was made worse by the fact that Mobile Passport Control, the usual fallback, was also unavailable at many airports during that stretch. The good news is that things are back to normal as of March 11.

If you don’t have Global Entry yet, this is a timely reminder that the enrollment fee is easily offset by several popular travel cards. And if your membership lapsed or your renewal interview is overdue, now’s the time to get it sorted before your next international trip.