Does Global Entry Run a Background Check? What to Know Before You Apply

Yes—Global Entry absolutely runs a background check

Let’s just get this out of the way: Yes, 100%, Global Entry does run a background check. And not a light one. We’re not talking about someone Googling your name real quick. It’s a full federal background check that goes deep.

I found this out the hard way when I applied last year. I thought it would be just a casual form, quick interview, then boom—I’m zipping through customs. Nope. Two weeks after applying, I got a “conditional approval,” but that was just the start of the process.

Honestly, if you’ve ever had a brush with the law, even something minor, it’s worth reading this carefully.

What kind of background check does Global Entry do?

Criminal history, immigration status, and more

CBP (Customs and Border Protection) runs your name through several databases, including:

• FBI criminal records

• Immigration violations

• International watchlists

• Local/state law enforcement records

• Customs and border infractions (yes, even that time you brought fruit back by mistake)

I had a conversation with my coworker James (who travels constantly), and he told me his application was delayed because of a 10-year-old DUI. He got approved eventually, but the interview was… intense, apparently.

Even dismissed charges may show up

This part really threw me. A friend of mine had a petty theft charge that was dropped years ago—still came up in his background check. He wasn’t denied, but he had to explain it in detail during the interview.

So if you’ve got anything in your history, even stuff you think is long gone, just be ready to talk about it.

How far back does the Global Entry check go?

There’s no official “cutoff” year

There’s no clear time limit, like “only the past 7 years.” They look at your entire adult history. I know, that feels a bit extreme. But when you’re applying for expedited entry into the country, they want to be absolutely sure you’re low risk.

And if that sounds invasive—well, yeah, it kind of is. But that’s the deal.

Can you still get approved with something on your record?

It depends on the offense

Minor infractions, especially if they happened a long time ago and were resolved, won’t necessarily disqualify you. But if you’ve had:

• Felony convictions

• Drug charges

• Multiple arrests

• Immigration violations

…you’re probably going to have a harder time. Doesn’t mean it’s impossible, but you’ll need to make a really good case at the interview.

I remember sweating bullets before mine—not because I had a record, but just because of how thorough everything felt. They even asked about a speeding ticket I had forgotten I paid online.

What happens if you lie on your application?

Don’t. Just… don’t.

Lying or omitting info can not only get you denied, but you might also get flagged for future travel. Seriously. It’s not worth it.

Be honest. Own up to any mistakes. One of the officers told me during my interview: “We’d rather hear the truth from you than find it in the system.”

Final thoughts: It's strict, but worth it

So yeah—Global Entry runs a serious background check. And they’re not messing around. But if your record is clean, or if your past issues were minor and long-resolved, you probably have nothing to worry about.

And even with the stress and the waiting, I can’t lie: flying internationally is so much better now. Skipping the customs line after a long flight? Feels like a little superpower.

If you’re thinking of applying and wondering, “will they find out about X?”—they probably will. But that doesn’t mean you won’t get in.

Just go in prepared, be honest, and maybe start gathering any paperwork before the interview, just in case. Trust me, your future jet-lagged self will thank you.

Is 165 cm normal for a 15 year old?

The predicted height for a female, based on your parents heights, is 155 to 165cm. Most 15 year old girls are nearly done growing. I was too. It's a very normal height for a girl.

Is 160 cm too tall for a 12 year old?

How Tall Should a 12 Year Old Be? We can only speak to national average heights here in North America, whereby, a 12 year old girl would be between 137 cm to 162 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/3 feet). A 12 year old boy should be between 137 cm to 160 cm tall (4-1/2 to 5-1/4 feet).

How tall is a average 15 year old?

Average Height to Weight for Teenage Boys - 13 to 20 Years

How to get taller at 18?

Staying physically active is even more essential from childhood to grow and improve overall health. But taking it up even in adulthood can help you add a few inches to your height. Strength-building exercises, yoga, jumping rope, and biking all can help to increase your flexibility and grow a few inches taller.

Is 5.7 a good height for a 15 year old boy?

Generally speaking, the average height for 15 year olds girls is 62.9 inches (or 159.7 cm). On the other hand, teen boys at the age of 15 have a much higher average height, which is 67.0 inches (or 170.1 cm).

Can you grow between 16 and 18?

Most girls stop growing taller by age 14 or 15. However, after their early teenage growth spurt, boys continue gaining height at a gradual pace until around 18. Note that some kids will stop growing earlier and others may keep growing a year or two more.

Can you grow 1 cm after 17?

Even with a healthy diet, most people's height won't increase after age 18 to 20. The graph below shows the rate of growth from birth to age 20. As you can see, the growth lines fall to zero between ages 18 and 20 ( 7 , 8 ). The reason why your height stops increasing is your bones, specifically your growth plates.