The cost of services that speed up passport checks at US borders will rise.
The cost for the three Trusted Traveler programs – the hugely popular Global Entry plus Nexus and Sentri – will now all cost $120 as of October 1.
Previously, they all had different fees – which had not been increased in fifteen years The US Customs and Border Protection Agency said.
Most affected is Nexus, the program to speed up travel between the US and Canada. The cost will more than double from $50.
Global Entry, launched in 2008 and with tens of millions of users, will rise from $100. It can be used by Americans and other nationalities to avoid queues at airports.
Global Entry will increase from $100 to $120 – an increase of 20 percent
Sentri, which allows expedited approval for pre-approved, low-risk travelers entering the United States through southern land border ports, will move from an “a la carte” fare structure to the flat $120.
Young people under the age of 18 do not have to pay if a parent is already a member or also participates in one of the programs.
Meanwhile, Americans traveling to Europe face a new charge.
Last month it was announced that from next year, Americans traveling to Britain will have to pay $13.05 (£10) to enter the country.
The new electronic travel authorization (ETA) is digitally linked to passports.
It is valid for multiple trips over two years for stays of up to six months consecutively, or until the holder’s passport expires.
US citizens can apply for an ETA starting November 27, 2024 and can expect a response within at least three business days.
Each traveler must have their own estimated time of arrival, including all children.
“Anyone wishing to travel to Britain – other than British and Irish citizens – will need permission before coming here,” the government said.
Seema Malhotra, the UK’s minister for migration and citizenship, said the new changes are part of a “global expansion” of the programme.
The country first introduced ETA last year for visitors from seven Gulf countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
The UK also plans to extend ETAs to citizens of other countries and territories, including Canada, Japan, Mexico and Australia.
Americans planning to travel to the United Kingdom will be required to pay a fee of $13.05 (£10) starting January 8, 2025 as part of the new Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) program.
The authorization is valid for multiple triples over a two-year period for stays of up to six months consecutively, ‘or until the holder’s passport expires’ (Photo: Newark Liberty Airport file photo)
Seema Malhotra (pictured in 2017), the UK Minister for Migration and Citizenship, said the new changes are part of a ‘global expansion of ETA’
Every traveler is required to have their own ETA to enter Britain, including all children. (photo: archive photo of London City Airport)
In August, the European Union announced that Australian citizens would have to pay a new application fee of $11.50 to travel to the continent in 2025.
Previously, Australians could travel visa-free to the history and culture-rich continent, but that is no longer the case.
The program will start in the first half of 2025.