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United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck photo requirements

The photo rules set by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Global Entry); Transportation Security Administration (TSA PreCheck) for the United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, with the official wording and sources.

Based on 12 official sources · last checked Official sources Page history

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Quick answer

What are the United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck photo requirements?

No. You do not submit a photo with either application. For Global Entry, CBP collects your fingerprints and photo at the interview, where you show a valid passport. For TSA PreCheck, the enrollment center takes your photo and fingerprints at a short in-person visit. Bring the documents each program lists.

Global Entry is run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and TSA PreCheck by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), both part of the Department of Homeland Security. None of the application steps either agency lists asks the applicant to supply a photo.

CBP collects biometrics, such as fingerprints and a digital photo, at the Global Entry interview. The TSA PreCheck enrollment center takes fingerprints and a photo at an in-person visit of about 10 minutes. Global Entry costs $120 (non-refundable), TSA PreCheck $85 or less depending on the provider, and both memberships last five years.

United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck photo size and specifications

The requirements as published by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Global Entry); Transportation Security Administration (TSA PreCheck):[1]

Photo ageFor remote Global Entry renewal interviews: a photo on file with CBP taken in the past 10 years and after age 14
Print qualityNo photo is supplied by the applicant; it is taken in person at enrollment

Key requirements

  • No photo upload

    Neither the Global Entry nor the TSA PreCheck application process asks for an uploaded photo.

  • Global Entry biometrics

    After conditional approval, applicants attend an interview at an Enrollment Center, or use Enrollment on Arrival at a participating airport. Under federal regulations CBP collects biometrics during the interview, for example ten fingerprints and a digital photograph. In-person interviews are required for first-time enrollment.

  • Global Entry documents

    Enrollment Center interview: a valid passport and one other form of ID, plus the machine-readable permanent resident card for lawful permanent residents. Enrollment on Arrival: a valid passport (every passport travelled on), proof of residency such as a current driver's licence or utility bill (not required for minors), and a permanent resident card if held.

  • TSA PreCheck documents

    A List A document such as an unexpired U.S. passport (book or card), a permanent resident card or an enhanced driver's license is enough. Otherwise bring two: a valid photo ID such as a REAL ID-compliant driver's license and proof of citizenship such as a U.S. birth certificate.

  • Touchless Portals

    At airports, Global Entry Touchless Portals use facial comparison; travellers are asked to remove glasses, face coverings and hats so the camera can capture the photo. Kiosks need a passport or permanent resident card; the Global Entry card is for land and sea crossings and is not accepted at kiosks.

  • Authorized providers

    TSA says CLEAR, IDEMIA and Telos are the only authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment providers, and that a site claiming to register applicants that does not end in .gov is not an official TSA PreCheck website.

Glasses

At Global Entry Touchless Portals, glasses, face coverings and hats must be removed so the camera can capture the photo.

Babies and children

Every Global Entry applicant, whatever their age, needs their own Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account. For applicants under 18, a parent or legal guardian must be present at the interview.

Not applicable: no photo is uploaded or mailed; it is captured in person.

Where to submit the photo

Global Entry: apply and pay $120 in a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account at ttp.dhs.gov, then attend an interview at an Enrollment Center or use Enrollment on Arrival. Renewal can be started from one year before expiry in the TTP account; an interview may not be needed, and some renewing members can use a remote video interview if aged 18 or over, previously fingerprinted, and with a photo on file with CBP taken in the past 10 years and after age 14. TSA PreCheck: apply online (about 5 minutes) with CLEAR, IDEMIA or Telos, then make an appointment or walk in; the visit takes about 10 minutes and includes document checks, fingerprints, photo and payment. Members can renew online up to six months before expiration, or in person.

How to get your United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck photo

  1. Check the official requirements. Read the official specification for the United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck. Check the rules on pose, expression, glasses and headwear below.
  2. Take the photo. Follow the key requirements: no photo upload; global Entry biometrics; global Entry documents; tSA PreCheck documents.
  3. Prepare a print or digital file. Not applicable: no photo is uploaded or mailed; it is captured in person.
  4. Submit the photo with your application. Global Entry: apply and pay $120 in a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account at ttp.dhs.gov, then attend an interview at an Enrollment Center or use Enrollment on Arrival.

United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck photo FAQ

No step in CBP's application process asks for one. You apply in your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account, and CBP collects your biometrics, such as fingerprints and a digital photo, at the interview.

At the enrollment center. After a short online application with CLEAR, IDEMIA or Telos, you make an appointment or walk in, and the provider checks your documents, takes your fingerprints and photo, and collects payment in about 10 minutes.

Yes. CBP asks you to bring your valid passport and one other form of identification to the interview. Lawful permanent residents also bring their machine-readable permanent resident card. Global Entry kiosks at the airport also need a passport or permanent resident card.

Not usually. CBP says an interview may not be needed when you renew. Its remote interview option for renewals requires a photo already on file with CBP, taken in the past 10 years and after you turned 14.

Not necessarily. An unexpired U.S. passport book or card is one of the documents TSA accepts at enrollment. Without one, you bring a valid photo ID and a proof of citizenship, such as a birth certificate.

Yes. CBP lists TSA PreCheck access as a Global Entry benefit. You use your membership number (PASSID) as your Known Traveler Number when you book flights.

Related photo specifications

Other United States documents

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Official sources

  1. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry cbp.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  2. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. How to Apply for Global Entry cbp.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  3. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival cbp.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  4. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Eligibility for Global Entry cbp.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  5. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Trusted Traveler Programs Frequently Asked Questions cbp.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  6. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Remote Interview for Trusted Traveler Programs cbp.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  7. U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry Touchless Portal Instructions cbp.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  8. Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. 8 CFR 235.12, Global Entry program ecfr.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  9. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Trusted Traveler Programs ttp.dhs.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  10. Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck tsa.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  11. Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck Frequently Asked Questions tsa.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.
  12. Transportation Security Administration. Required Documents for TSA PreCheck Application tsa.gov. Checked 29 October 2026.

Requirements can change, so always confirm with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (Global Entry); Transportation Security Administration (TSA PreCheck) before you apply. WorldPhotoSpecs is independent and not affiliated with any government.

Cite this page

"United States Global Entry and TSA PreCheck photo". WorldPhotoSpecs. Last updated 4 November 2026. https://worldphotospecs.org/united-states/global-entry-photo

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