Global Entry Mobile App Sunsetted September 15, Replaced by Unified Trusted Traveler App

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), an agency within the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), is retiring its dedicated Global Entry mobile application on September 15, 2023. This transition marks a significant shift for a subset of Global Entry members who have leveraged the mobile app to streamline their re-entry into the United States. Specifically, travelers who have opted to use the app to submit their arrival information digitally, thereby bypassing the traditional blue kiosks typically found after international flights, will need to adapt to this change. The existing Global Entry app will cease to function on the aforementioned date, requiring these users to download a new, unified "Trusted Traveler app." This new application is designed to seamlessly inherit all current functionalities of the Global Entry mobile app, ensuring that existing Global Entry members experience no disruption in their ability to use the program. Crucially, membership status, login credentials, and the underlying Global Entry membership itself will remain unaffected; no reapplication will be necessary. The "Trusted Traveler app" is positioned to become a more comprehensive portal for all of CBP's trusted traveler initiatives. Beyond replicating the current mobile check-in capabilities for Global Entry, it will also serve as the central hub for initiating new applications and managing renewals for Global Entry. Furthermore, the app will integrate the processes for other key trusted traveler programs administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, including Nexus and SENTRI. Nexus is a joint U.S.-Canada program that expedites travel for pre-approved, low-risk travelers at the U.S.-Canada border, while SENTRI (Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection) is designed for expedited entry into the U.S. from Mexico. This consolidation aims to provide a more cohesive and user-friendly experience for members of these various programs. This app modernization is occurring alongside a broader technological overhaul of the Global Entry program's physical infrastructure at major U.S. airports. CBP has been actively piloting new camera-capture technology at six high-traffic hubs. This advanced system verifies members' identities through facial recognition as they enter the customs hall, allowing them to proceed directly to a CBP officer without the need for a kiosk. This technology is currently operational at Boston Logan International Airport (BOS), Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW), and New York City's John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK), among others. These combined efforts underscore CBP's commitment to leveraging technology to enhance border security and improve the travel experience for low-risk, pre-approved travelers.