Yes, you can get TSA PreCheck with a green card. The program is open to U.S. citizens, U.S. nationals, and lawful permanent residents on equal terms, so holding a valid Permanent Resident Card qualifies you to apply.1Transportation Security Administration. Who Can Apply for TSA PreCheck Enrollment involves an online form, an in-person appointment with fingerprinting, and a fee between roughly $77 and $85 depending on the provider you choose.
Eligibility for Lawful Permanent Residents
If you hold a valid, unexpired Form I-551 (Permanent Resident Card), you meet the immigration requirement for PreCheck. Conditional residents who received a two-year green card through marriage or investment also qualify, because they hold lawful permanent resident status for as long as that card is valid.
Meeting the residency requirement is not the whole test. TSA runs a background check that pulls from federal databases to confirm your immigration status and review your criminal history.2eCFR. 49 CFR Part 1572 – Credentialing and Security Threat Assessments Certain convictions or an open warrant can disqualify you even if your status is in order.
Documents to Bring to the Appointment
At your enrollment appointment, you need one document from TSA’s approved list. For green card holders, the primary option is your unexpired I-551. TSA also accepts a foreign passport that contains a machine-readable immigrant visa carrying the temporary I-551 annotation (“Upon Endorsement Serves as Temporary I-551 Evidencing Permanent Residence for 1 Year”).3Transportation Security Administration. Required Documents for TSA PreCheck Application New immigrants who have not yet received the physical card can use that passport-and-visa combination instead.
If Your Name Doesn’t Match Across Documents
If the name on your green card differs from the name on your passport because of marriage, divorce, or a court-ordered change, you can still travel using the green card in your prior name, but bring documentation of the change such as a marriage certificate, divorce decree, or court order.4U.S. Customs and Border Protection. US Citizens/Lawful Permanent Residents Name Does Not Match Documents For questions specific to your PreCheck application, contact the TSA Contact Center at tsa-contactcenter@tsa.dhs.gov before you book the appointment.
If Your Green Card Is Expired
TSA’s list calls for an unexpired I-551. If your card has expired and you filed Form I-90 to renew it, USCIS currently extends your card’s validity for 24 months while the renewal is pending. TSA’s site does not directly address whether the I-797 receipt notice will be accepted as proof of continued status at an enrollment appointment, so call TSA or your chosen provider before scheduling.
How to Apply
Applying happens in two stages. Start online at the TSA PreCheck page and pick one of three authorized enrollment providers: IDEMIA, CLEAR, or TelosID.5Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck The form asks for your full legal name, date of birth, gender, and five years of residential history. When it asks for your identity document, select Permanent Resident Card (I-551) and enter the alien registration number printed on your card. TSA suggests finishing the online pre-enrollment before booking the in-person visit so the appointment goes faster.6Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck Enrollment Centers
Then schedule the in-person appointment at an enrollment center. Locations include many airports and standalone provider offices. At the appointment, an agent inspects your green card, takes your fingerprints for the background check, and photographs you.
What It Costs
You pay the fee at the appointment. It varies by provider:5Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck
- IDEMIA: $76.75
- CLEAR: $79.95
- TelosID: $85.00
The fee is non-refundable whether your application is approved or denied. Enrollment centers take Visa, MasterCard, American Express, and Discover, along with money orders, company checks, and certified or cashier’s checks made out to the provider for the exact amount. Cash and personal checks are not accepted.7Transportation Security Administration. Help Center – TSA Enrollment by IDEMIA
After You Apply
Most applicants get a decision within three to five days, though some cases take up to 60 days.8Transportation Security Administration. How Long Does It Take to Get Approved You can check status by email, phone, text, or online through the provider you applied with.9Transportation Security Administration. How Do I Know When I’m Approved for TSA PreCheck
If approved, you receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN), a 9 or 10 character code that can include letters and numbers.10Transportation Security Administration. What Is a Known Traveler Number (KTN) Enter it in your airline profile or ticket reservation so the PreCheck indicator prints on your boarding pass. TSA offers a KTN lookup tool if you misplace it.
Criminal History That Can Block Approval
TSA sorts disqualifying offenses into two tiers: permanent and time-limited. A felony on either list will lead to denial.
Permanent Disqualifications
These felony convictions bar you regardless of how long ago they occurred:11Transportation Security Administration. Disqualifying Offenses and Other Factors espionage, sedition, or treason (including conspiracy); federal terrorism crimes under 18 U.S.C. 2332b(g) or comparable state offenses; crimes involving a transportation security incident that caused significant loss of life, environmental damage, or economic disruption; improper transportation of hazardous materials; dealing in explosives or explosive devices; murder; bomb threats or false reports about explosives in public places or transportation systems; racketeering where a predicate act involves one of the offenses above; and attempts or conspiracies to commit any of them.
Seven-Year Disqualifications
A second list disqualifies you if you were convicted or pleaded guilty within seven years of your application date, or released from incarceration within five years:11Transportation Security Administration. Disqualifying Offenses and Other Factors unlawful possession, sale, or distribution of a firearm or other weapon; identity fraud and money laundering related to other listed crimes (excluding welfare fraud and bad checks); robbery, kidnapping, assault with intent to kill, rape or aggravated sexual abuse, voluntary manslaughter; distribution or possession with intent to distribute a controlled substance; extortion, bribery, smuggling, arson, immigration violations, and fraudulent entry into a seaport; plus attempts and conspiracies.
An open warrant or pending indictment for any felony on either list also disqualifies you until the matter is resolved.
If TSA Denies Your Application
A denial comes as a Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility letter. You have 60 days from the date you receive it to respond to TSA or ask for more time.12Transportation Security Administration. What If I Receive a Preliminary Determination of Ineligibility Letter From TSA For help with your case, call 1-855-347-8371 weekdays between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. ET. For general PreCheck questions, reach the TSA Contact Center at (866) 289-9673 or (571) 227-2900, or email TSA-ContactCenter@dhs.gov. Note that the DHS Traveler Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP) handles screening record corrections rather than PreCheck eligibility disputes.13DHS Trip – Homeland Security. Frequently Asked Questions
Renewal
A PreCheck membership lasts five years from the approval date.14Transportation Security Administration. How Long Does My TSA PreCheck Membership Last You can renew online or in person, with fees that depend on the provider:15Transportation Security Administration. TSA PreCheck Renewals
- IDEMIA: $58.75 online or $66.75 in person
- CLEAR: $69.95 online or $79.95 in person
- TelosID: $69.95 online or $58.75 in person
Online renewal is generally cheaper and does not require another appointment. Start before your current membership expires so you don’t lose access.
Global Entry as an Alternative
If you travel internationally, Global Entry may serve you better. Lawful permanent residents are eligible, and the program covers expedited U.S. customs screening on return trips while also including TSA PreCheck benefits.16U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Eligibility for Global Entry The fee is $120 for a five-year membership.17U.S. Customs and Border Protection. Global Entry The interview is more extensive and processing takes longer, but if you take four or more international trips a year, the customs benefit is worth weighing.18Transportation Security Administration. What Is the Difference Between Global Entry, TSA PreCheck and the Other Trusted Traveler Programs