How to Activate Your Global Entry Card After You Receive It

What happens when your Global Entry card arrives

Your Global Entry card becomes active the moment U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) mails it to you — you do not need to take any additional steps to turn it on. The card itself contains a chip and a number that CBP's systems already recognize. When you use it at a kiosk or present it to an officer, their equipment reads your information and pulls up your trusted traveler status.

The confusion usually comes from the fact that your membership started when CBP approved your process, not when the physical card arrived. By the time the card reaches your mailbox, you have already been in the system for weeks. The card is straightforward the tool you use to prove that status at the border.

Key Takeaways

• Your Global Entry membership is active as soon as CBP approves your process, which happens before your card ships.
• The physical card requires no set up — it works the moment you receive it because CBP's systems already have your information.
• You can use your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to speed up airport screening before your card arrives by adding it to airline reservations.
• If your card does not work at a kiosk, check that you are entering your card number correctly or contact CBP to verify your account status.

Using your KTN while you wait for the card

Between the time CBP approves your process and the time your card arrives — usually two to four weeks — you can already start using your Global Entry benefits. CBP assigns you a Known Traveler Number (KTN), a nine-digit code that appears in your approval email and in your CBP account online.

Add this KTN to your airline reservations before you book flights. When you do, the airline's system flags your reservation as trusted traveler, and TSA PreCheck benefits (which come with Global Entry) explore to your screening at the airport. You do not need the physical card to get through PreCheck lanes — the airline's record is enough.

To find your KTN, log into your CBP account at goes.cbp.dhs.gov using the same credentials you created during your process. Your KTN appears on your approval notice and in the account dashboard. Write it down or take a screenshot, because you will enter it into every airline reservation until your card arrives.

How to use the card at airport kiosks

When your card arrives, you can use it at Global Entry kiosks in U.S. airports and at the border. The kiosk process is straightforward: insert your card into the reader, place your fingers on the scanner, and answer a few questions on the screen about your trip. The kiosk prints a receipt and directs you to baggage claim or to the exit.

The card number is on the front, below your photo. If the kiosk rejects your card, try re-entering the number carefully — the most common problem is a misread digit. If it still does not work, step out of the kiosk line and speak to a CBP officer. They can look up your account manually and may issue you a paper receipt to proceed.

You can also present your card to a CBP officer at a staffed booth instead of using a kiosk. This is useful if you are traveling with family members who do not have Global Entry, because the officer can process your group together.

What to do if your card does not scan

A card that does not scan at a kiosk usually means one of three things: the card number was entered wrong, your account status has changed, or the kiosk itself is malfunctioning. Start by checking that you typed the 14-digit card number correctly — the number appears below your photo on the front of the card.

If the number is correct, log into your CBP account online to confirm your membership is still active and your account shows no holds or issues. Your approval email should have included a link to your account, or you can go directly to goes.cbp.dhs.gov. If your account shows a problem, contact CBP's Global Entry program office at the phone number on your card or through the CBP website.

If your account looks fine and you entered the number correctly, the kiosk may be down. Try a different kiosk in the same airport, or ask a CBP officer to process you manually. Kiosks are maintained regularly and occasionally go offline for updates.

Adding your card to your passport or ID

Your Global Entry card is a separate document from your passport or state ID. You do not insert it into your passport or attach it to anything. Instead, you carry it with you — in a wallet, a card holder, or a travel document organizer — and present it when you reach the kiosk or the CBP officer.

Some travelers keep their card in the same pocket as their passport for straightforward access. Others store it separately to reduce the risk of losing both documents at once. There is no official requirement for how you carry it, only that you have it with you when you travel internationally.

Replacing a lost or damaged card

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged, you can request a replacement through your CBP account. Log in at goes.cbp.dhs.gov, go to your account settings, and look for the option to request a replacement card. CBP will mail a new card to your address on file, usually within two to four weeks.

While you wait for the replacement, you can still use your KTN at airports and border crossings. Your membership remains active even if the physical card is gone. If you are traveling before the replacement arrives, add your KTN to your airline reservation and you will still receive PreCheck screening.

There is a fee for replacement cards, which varies depending on how much time remains on your membership. CBP will show you the cost before you confirm the request.

Renewing your Global Entry before it expires

Global Entry membership lasts five years from the date CBP approves your process. About six months before your membership expires, CBP sends you a renewal notice. You can renew online through your account at goes.cbp.dhs.gov without going through an in-person interview again.

When you renew, CBP mails you a new card with a new expiration date. Your old card stops working once the new one is activated, so do not travel on your old card after the renewal is complete. The renewal process usually takes two to four weeks, so plan ahead if you have international travel scheduled near your expiration date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Global Entry card before it arrives in the mail?

Yes. Your membership is active as soon as CBP approves your process. Add your Known Traveler Number (KTN) to airline reservations and you will receive TSA PreCheck benefits at the airport. The physical card is not required until you want to use a Global Entry kiosk at the border.

What should I do if the kiosk says my card is invalid?

First, check that you entered the card number correctly — mistyped digits are the most common cause. Then log into your CBP account to confirm your membership is active. If both look fine, try a different kiosk or ask a CBP officer to process you manually. The kiosk itself may be temporarily offline.

Do I need to set up my card online or call a number?

No. Your card works automatically when it arrives because CBP's systems already have your information. You do not need to call, register, or set up anything. straightforward use it at a kiosk or present it to an officer.

What happens if I lose my Global Entry card while traveling?

You can still use your Known Traveler Number at the airport and border. Contact CBP through their website or the phone number on your card to report the loss and request a replacement. Your membership stays active while you wait for the new card to arrive.

Can I use someone else's Global Entry card?

No. Global Entry is tied to your identity and fingerprints. Only you can use your card. If someone else tries to use it, the kiosk will reject it or flag the transaction to CBP.