I'm an immigration lawyer based in Prague. This is my best advice for frequent US travelers

Despite the current pause in applications, now is as good a time as any to assess whether Global Entry makes sense and is worth the investment.

Juan M. Chaves Pernett

Written by Juan M. Chaves Pernett Published on 25.02.2026 16:07:00 (updated on 26.02.2026) Reading time: 4 minutes

On Sunday, DHS briefly announced a pause on TSA PreCheck (the program that speeds travelers through airport security) and suspended all Global Entry programs, citing staffing constraints amid the partial government shutdown.

Hours later, TSA PreCheck was reinstated, though Global Entry processing for new arrivals remained suspended and travelers who have Global Entry must currently use primary entry lanes.

While anyone hoping to apply for the program will need to put their plans on hold for now, it's still as good a time as any to assess whether Global Entry makes sense and is worth the investment.

As a frequent traveler to the U.S. and an immigration lawyer, I can say it still is.

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