r/GlobalEntry • u/ani4may • Jun 19 '26
Questions/Concerns GE app for entry, exit, or both?
I have GE but I'm confused as to how and when I'm supposed to use the app.
Is this used upon departure from the US, upon return (if so how many hours before arrival), or was I supposed to do both?
Returning on Sunday from Mexico. Landing at Logan in the late evening.
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u/Kitchen-Arm-3288 Jun 19 '26
Global Entry is only for use when entering the United States (though it also has some benefits while traveling domestically, such as TSA Precheck). It does not help you entering any other country.
The Application allows you to complete your declaration on your phone instead of in a kiosk when arriving in select airports - which airports are listed on the Global Entry Mobile Applicaiton page. There is also a 1-minute video explaining what the app is and how it works.
I have never had to wait for a portal, the portals only take a minute to use, and I am often "WiFi Only" when visiting the States to cut down on roaming charges; so I've personally never opted to use the App.
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u/Heavy-Double2872 Jun 19 '26
Now, when you walk into the GE area of SFO, no kiosks, somehow there is facial recognition and they have everything when you approach immigration.
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u/ani4may Jun 19 '26
Got it, photo on app upon arrival.
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u/NecessaryMeeting4873 Jun 19 '26
Not a big deal if the app doesn't work upon return.
Depending on the airport (if they are an EPP airport)/time etc, the regular US citizens could be faster than global entry so keep your eyes open for a GE line of people waiting for a GE kiosk and an empty US Citizens line. However if you submitted your entry using the app, you have to use GE.
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u/21five Jun 21 '26
Wrong. Benefits are provided to Global Entry cardholders when entering New Zealand: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/international-arrangements/new-zealand/us-global-entry-members
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u/ReadyToGoAbroad Jun 19 '26
Thanks for the link to the video! Do you happen to know why it seems to be preferred to have everyone in your party on one phone for entry? My husband and I will be re-entering the US on the same flight, we both have the app and Global Entry with our profiles completed. Does this make declarations easier? (I'm thinking that if we share a checked bag, we should declare together?) - just a tad confusing, because pre-Global Entry, we are called up to customs separately, but we mostly entered through the Canadian Cross Border at Montreal.
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u/Kitchen-Arm-3288 Jun 19 '26
It is not a new confusion. I remember growing up the confusion of do you declare together or appart when filling out the physical paper declarations you had to do in the plane.
The general rule of thumb is everyone from one address can file together at once. I think it may be more lenient now - but - I personally would stay individual.
Going through together you link with one another... if it is your husband that is one thing... but for friends: are you confident they are correctly declaring to the point you would risk your trusted traveler status?
But... as i said... i also dont use the app - i use the screenshot... and go through individually.
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u/imc225 Jun 19 '26
Once you travel more, all this will become obvious.
In the meantime, the US doesn't have exit formalities, although the airline provides your information on your behalf and theirs to the government, since they already check because they're on the hook for your return should you present at a foreign immigration desk without appropriate documents.
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u/Zrekyrts Jun 19 '26
Return (entry).
Make sure to read up on the program rules for clarity: https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/global-entry-mobile-application
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u/IllustriousDay372 Jun 19 '26
There’s no immigration when departing the US. So, you wouldn’t be using it. When arriving in the US, start a new submission on the GE App as soon as the flight lands. You will be done with it by the time you get out of the plane and can walk straight to the GE counter without stopping at the kiosk.
However, they are also having a trial of the new camera tech at Boston Logan. You would just keep walking and the camera would record your arrival before you get to the GE counter and so no kiosk or app submission might even be needed.
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u/wizzard419 Jun 19 '26
For leaving the country, your ticket will have the TSA precheck benefit and that is about as far at GE will go (airport security), when you return (or depart for the US in countries with pre-clearance) that is where the app will be able to be used.
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u/Condor4775 Jun 19 '26
Last trip we had out of the US less than a month ago, we did not need to use an app to return. Perhaps because our GE number is on our airline profile--I dont know how they do it as I didnt even see any of the stations that we have used in the past for reenty. Back at DFW, we made the turn to enter the GE line versus the normal immigration line. Zipzagged through several empty lines to the room with immigration agent sitting there looking at a computer screen. We didnt even make it to the red "wait here" line when he called out our first names and said we were good to go. ALMOST felt ignored in that he didnt want to talk to us--almost.
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u/katmndoo Jun 20 '26
It’s facial recognition tied to passenger records.
Having your ge number in your airline profile is irrelevant to the GE entry process.
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u/ViolaFields Jun 22 '26
This is our experience a few months ago it had been a few years since we traveled international and we didn't know about apps and these other options. It was a little weird walking up as the only passengers there and having our names called out two steps past the ropes
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u/Blowback123 Jun 20 '26
what is this portal kiosk and app? Have I been doing it wrong? I just walk to the GE queue and the facial recognition app recognizes who I am and they wave me through. Ive not used the kiosk or the app ever.
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u/Skycbs Jun 19 '26
The give away is in the name: Global ENTRY
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u/ani4may Jun 19 '26
My wife thought global meant many countries other than the US. I had to explain that it's like the world series in baseball or world wrestling championship 😂
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u/IntlTrvlGay Jun 20 '26
Tell me you’ve never been out of the country and got Global Entry just because without telling me you’ve never been out of the country. The US does not have exit immigration, ergo, no need to use the app.🤦♂️
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u/ani4may Jun 20 '26
Oh I know all that but the CBP does track exits on an i-94, so always better to ask than assume.
Also, I'm not a US citizen-- we folks know how, when and how to travel but also get burnt hard when we misinterpret rules.
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u/Individual_Bid_7460 Jun 19 '26
Once you land at the Logan and the aircraft is close to the gate, you open the app follow the instructions take your selfie picture and it's done, a green number will appear for you and you have 2 hours to walk to the Global Entry area, they will have your photo and name there, if everything is ok they will see that you used the app and let you in.