Over the past few years, the number of individuals using “trusted traveler” programs has increased, reports USA Today. These programs offer members the ability to expeditiously clear customs. The membership fee runs from $50 to $122.50 depending on the program, and membership lasts for five years. To qualify, applicants must pass a government-run background check (including fingerprint submission), a process that takes four to six weeks. Individuals with criminal records or who have violated immigration laws are ineligible.

Although the lowest in membership at 36,000, the Global Entry program offers the widest appeal to travelers and is used approximately 600 times per day at 20 U.S. airports. The program was designed for “trusted” international travelers who are considered low risk for terrorism. Members can bypass standard immigration lines and checkpoints by: (1) scanning their machine-readable passport or permanent resident card at a kiosk; (2) authenticating their identification via fingerprints; and (3) answering several questions.

The Nexus program is jointly operated by the U.S. and Canada and has 383,000 members. Members traveling to Canada can use kiosks at destination airports to avoid immigration clearance checkpoints; those traveling to the United States may pre-clear U.S. customs at Canadian airports.

The Sentri program is for travelers entering the United States from Mexico via land or sea, and is open to U.S. citizens and permanent residents, and to Mexican citizens. The 15-year program boasts 210,000 members and permits access to expedited immigration clearance lanes.