After a red-eye flight or a long car ride, it's not ideal to be stuck in a long line at customs or the border. A trusted traveler program like Global Entry or Nexus can get you where you're going faster.

The main difference between Global Entry and Nexus is that Global Entry allows for expedited reentry to the U.S. when returning from any country abroad. On the other hand, Nexus allows expedited passage between the U.S. and Canada.

Global Entry and Nexus also differ in who is eligible for the programs. Global Entry is available to citizens of the U.S. and 14 other countries, while Nexus is available to citizens and residents of the U.S. and Canada (and Mexican nationals).

All Nexus members are eligible for Global Entry benefits —and TSA PreCheck benefits — as long as their passport and fingerprints were collected at the enrollment interview. The catch is that to get a Nexus membership, you need to go for an in-person interview. The interview locations are along the U.S.-Canada border and at major airports in Canada, so proximity to an interview location may limit who can apply for Nexus.

The programs share other similarities and also some differences. Here's a look at Global Entry versus Nexus.

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Global Entry vs. Nexus at a glance

This chart shows the difference between Nexus and Global Entry.

*All current Nexus members are eligible to use Global Entry kiosks once they provide fingerprints and document information to U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

Global Entry

Typically, anytime you return to the United States from another country, you have to go through customs, a process with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that includes passport checks and potentially an interview with a live agent — sometimes after standing in line for half an hour or more.

Global Entry, a program run by CBP, allows preapproved passengers who are deemed low risk to skip this process when they return to the U.S. by instead using an automated kiosk at more than 75 airports. At these entry kiosks, you'll swipe your passport, scan your fingerprints and fill out a customs declaration form — then you're done.

CBP also has Global Entry kiosks at more than a dozen international airports, allowing members returning to the U.S. to go through the required customs and immigration processes before getting on their U.S.-bound planes. Then, when they land in the U.S., they're treated as domestic travelers, bypassing the customs and immigration hassles.

Citizens from the United States and 11 other countries — as well as Mexican nationals — are eligible for Global Entry membership. To become a Global Entry member, you must fill out an application, pass an extensive background check and get interviewed in person by a CBP officer.

Airports with Global Entry kiosks

Some Global Entry-eligible U.S. airports include:

Major U.S. airports with Global Entry kiosks

Atlanta.

Baltimore.

Boston.

Charlotte.

Chicago.

Dallas.

Denver.

Fort Lauderdale.

Los Angeles.

Miami.

New York-JFK.

Phoenix.

Philadelphia.

If you're heading to the U.S., you may be able to use a Global Entry kiosk before you even board your flight. CBP operates these kiosks at select airports, including:

Major international airports with Global Entry kiosks

Abu Dhabi.

Aruba.

Bermuda.

Canada.

Ireland.

The Bahamas.

See this link for a complete list of airports with Global Entry kiosks.

How to apply for Global Entry

Ensure you're eligible by checking CBP's criteria before paying the nonrefundable $100 application fee. Some reasons for disqualification include:

Crime conviction.

Criminal charges.

Current criminal investigation.

Denial for the purchase of a firearm.

To begin the application process, create a Trusted Traveler Programs account and fill out the application online. Every traveler, including minors, must have an individual account.

CBP officials will then review your application, and if you’ve been approved, you'll be notified to schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. Find the center nearest to you at this link.