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 do anything to turn it on or register it separately. The card itself is already linked to your account and your biometric data from your enrollment appointment.

When you receive the card in the mail, check the back for your membership number and expiration date. This number is what CBP uses to identify you at airport kiosks and border crossings. You can start using the card at any Global Entry kiosk when ready — there is no waiting period or set up step required on your end.

If you are unsure whether your card has arrived, you can check your account status on the CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs website using your login credentials. The site will show you whether your card has been mailed and, if it has, when it was shipped.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Global Entry card is active as soon as it arrives in the mail — no separate set up process exists.
  • The membership number on the back of your card is what CBP uses to identify you at kiosks and ports of entry.
  • You can check your account on the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website to confirm your card has been mailed.
  • If your card does not arrive within the expected timeframe, contact CBP directly through the Trusted Traveler Programs portal rather than calling a general number.

Where you can use your card when ready

Global Entry works at U.S. airports with automated kiosks, at land border crossings with kiosks, and at some seaports. When you arrive back in the United States, you walk to a Global Entry kiosk, insert your card, scan your fingerprints or face, and proceed through customs without waiting in the standard line.

The kiosks are located in the baggage claim area after you land. Look for signs that say "Global Entry" or "Trusted Traveler." If you do not see a kiosk at your airport, you can still use the standard customs line — your membership does not change that option.

At land borders, kiosks are available at major crossings like San Diego, El Paso, and Detroit. You can use your card the same way: insert it, provide your biometric data, and move through the dedicated lane. Not every border crossing has kiosks, so check the CBP website for locations near you before your trip.

What to do if your card does not arrive

Global Entry cards typically arrive within two to four weeks of your enrollment appointment. If more than a month has passed and you have not received it, log into your account on the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website and check the status. The site will show whether the card has been mailed and provide a tracking number if it has.

If the status shows your card was mailed but you never received it, contact CBP through the Trusted Traveler Programs portal. Do not call a general CBP number — the portal has a specific request form for lost or undelivered cards. CBP can reissue your card, though it may take another two to four weeks.

While you wait for a replacement, you cannot use Global Entry. Your membership is active, but the kiosks require the physical card. Standard customs lines remain available to you at all times.

Using your membership number before the card arrives

Some travelers ask whether they can use their membership number at a kiosk without the physical card. The answer is no — CBP kiosks require you to insert the actual card. The membership number alone is not enough to access the system.

However, you can provide your membership number to your airline when you book or check in. Many airlines use this number to add a "TSA PreCheck" or "Global Entry" indicator to your boarding pass, which can speed up security screening at the airport. This is separate from the Global Entry kiosk process and works even if your card has not arrived yet.

To add your membership number to your airline account, log into the airline's website, find the "Known Traveler Number" or "Trusted Traveler" field, and enter your Global Entry membership number. Different airlines call this field different names, but most major carriers have this option.

Replacing a lost or damaged card

If your card is lost, stolen, or damaged after you have been using it, you can request a replacement through the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website. Log into your account, find the option to request a replacement card, and submit the form. CBP will mail a new card to you at no additional cost.

A replacement card takes the same two to four weeks to arrive. While you wait, your membership remains active, but you cannot use the kiosks without the physical card. If your card was stolen, you may want to report it to CBP as well, though this is not required to get a replacement.

If your card is damaged but still readable, you can continue using it. CBP does not require you to replace a card straightforward because it is worn or slightly damaged — only if it no longer works in the kiosks or if you cannot read the membership number.

Understanding your membership timeline

Global Entry membership lasts five years from the date of your enrollment appointment, not from the date your card arrives. Your membership is active even before the card is mailed to you. The card is straightforward the physical tool you use to access the kiosks — the membership itself is what matters.

About six months before your membership expires, CBP will send you a renewal notice. You can renew online through the Trusted Traveler Programs website, and the renewal process is faster than the initial enrollment — usually just a few weeks. Your new card will arrive before your current membership ends if you renew on time.

If your membership expires before you renew, you lose access to Global Entry kiosks. You cannot use the card at the kiosks, and you will need to go through standard customs lines. Renewing before expiration keeps your access uninterrupted.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need to register my card with CBP after I receive it?

No. Your card is already registered to your account and linked to your biometric data from your enrollment appointment. There is no registration step you need to complete. You can use it at any kiosk as soon as it arrives.

Can I use my Global Entry membership number instead of the physical card?

Not at the kiosks — they require the physical card. However, you can give your membership number to your airline when you book, and they may add it to your boarding pass to speed up security screening. This is a separate benefit from the kiosk access.

What if my card arrives damaged or does not work in the kiosk?

Request a replacement through the CBP Trusted Traveler Programs website. Log into your account, submit a replacement request, and CBP will mail a new card at no cost. Replacements typically arrive within two to four weeks.

Can I use my Global Entry card at every U.S. airport?

Most major U.S. airports have Global Entry kiosks, but not all smaller airports do. Check the CBP website for a list of locations where kiosks are available. If your airport does not have one, you can still use standard customs lines.

Does my membership start when my card arrives or when I enroll?

Your membership starts on the date of your enrollment appointment, not when the card arrives. The card is just the physical access tool. Your five-year membership clock begins when ready after your appointment, even if the card takes weeks to arrive.