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TSA PreCheck® screening lanes remain operational as of February 22, 2026 — existing members can continue using PreCheck at airports with no change. Global Entry arrival processing, however, has been suspended at all participating airports during the DHS funding lapse that began on February 14. Initial reports on February 22 suggested both programs would be shut down, but TSA reversed course on PreCheck within hours while Global Entry kiosks remain closed.
Here is what has actually changed, what still works, and what you should do if you are affected.
Key facts as of February 22, 2026:
Congress failed to pass a DHS funding bill before the February 14, 2026 deadline, triggering a partial government shutdown limited to the Department of Homeland Security.1 Unlike a full government shutdown, this funding lapse affects only DHS agencies, including the Transportation Security Administration and U.S. Customs and Border Protection.
On the morning of February 22, DHS implemented emergency measures to conserve resources. Among them, Global Entry arrival processing was halted at all participating airports effective 6:00 AM ET, and courtesy escorts at airports were suspended.
TSA PreCheck was initially included in the suspension. However, by that same morning, TSA issued a statement confirming the reversal: "At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public."
The two programs are being treated differently during the funding lapse. Here is a breakdown of what is operational and what is not.
TSA PreCheck screening lanes remain open at airports across the country as of February 22. If you are an existing member with a Known Traveler Number, you can continue using PreCheck lanes as normal. The PreCheck indicator should still appear on your boarding pass.
TSA did note that "as staffing constraints arise, TSA will evaluate on a case by case basis and adjust operations accordingly. Approximately 95% of TSA's 61,000 employees are classified as essential and continue working during the funding lapse, though they are not receiving pay.3
CBP officers previously assigned to Global Entry kiosks have been reassigned to process general arriving travelers.1 Global Entry kiosks at participating airports are no longer operational for the duration of the funding lapse.
If you are a Global Entry member returning from an international trip, you will need to use standard customs processing lines. U.S. citizens and permanent residents should proceed through citizen processing lanes. Allow extra time for customs upon arrival.
Global Entry arrival processing has been suspended at all participating airports since February 22, 2026, and members must use standard customs processing lines until DHS funding is restored. Your Global Entry membership has not been revoked or canceled. The program's arrival benefits are temporarily unavailable while the DHS funding lapse continues, and will resume when funding is restored.
While airport-level operations have official status confirmations, enrollment and application processing falls into a gray area.
Online applications: The TSA PreCheck enrollment portal operated by IDEMIA appears to still be accepting new applications and renewals, with no visible shutdown notice on the site.4 However, submitting an application online does not guarantee that in-person enrollment appointments will be honored or that background checks are being actively processed during the funding lapse.
In-person enrollment appointments: Enrollment centers for both TSA PreCheck and Global Entry may be operating with reduced staffing or intermittent closures. If you have an upcoming appointment, check directly with your enrollment center for the latest availability.
Global Entry interviews: The CBP "Global Entry Enrollment on the Hill" event scheduled for March 3–6, 2026 was made contingent on DHS being funded before February 25. If funding is not restored by then, the event will be postponed to May 19–22, 2026.5 This gives some indication of how the funding lapse is affecting interview scheduling more broadly.
If you are in the middle of an application process for either TSA PreCheck or Global Entry, do not cancel your application. Processing will resume when funding is restored.
Depending on your situation, here are the steps to consider.
If you have TSA PreCheck and are flying domestically: No action needed. PreCheck lanes are open. Your Known Traveler Number works as normal.
If you have Global Entry and are traveling internationally: Plan for standard customs processing when you arrive back in the United States. Bring your passport and be prepared for longer wait times. Your membership is still valid, but the kiosks that allow expedited entry are not currently operational.
If you have a pending application or scheduled interview: Check the relevant enrollment portal for updates. Be prepared for delays, but do not cancel your application. Your place in the queue is preserved.
If your membership is expiring soon: If online renewal is available for your program, consider submitting it now. Even if processing is delayed, having your renewal submitted means it can be processed as soon as operations return to normal.
If you were planning to apply for the first time: You should still start your application. When the funding lapse ends, there will likely be a significant backlog of applications and interview appointments. Having your application already submitted could help reduce your overall wait time. You can learn more about TSA PreCheck requirements and the application process to make sure you have everything ready.
No specific end date has been announced. DHS has stated that services will resume when funding is restored.1 The House passed a DHS funding bill in January 2026, but the Senate has not yet reached agreement.
TSA Administrator testimony before the House Appropriations Committee on February 11, 2026 outlined the operational impacts of a prolonged funding lapse, noting that extended shutdowns affect employee retention and operational readiness.3 Previous government shutdowns have resulted in notable increases in employee absences and longer security wait times at airports.
When the funding lapse does end, expect a period of backlog as enrollment centers reopen, interviews are rescheduled, and pending applications are processed.
TSA PreCheck lanes are open and your Known Traveler Number works as normal for expedited airport security screening. Global Entry kiosks are suspended and members must use standard customs lines when arriving from international flights. Both programs' memberships remain valid, and services will fully resume when Congress restores DHS funding. If you are planning to apply or renew, submitting your application now positions you ahead of the expected backlog when services resume.
Whether you are waiting for Trusted Traveler Program services to resume or want to get ahead of the expected post-shutdown backlog, GOV+ can help you prepare your TSA PreCheck application now. When enrollment services are fully restored, you will be ready to move forward without delay.
Q: Is TSA PreCheck still working during the government shutdown? A: Yes. As of February 22, 2026, TSA PreCheck screening lanes remain operational at airports across the country. Existing members can continue using their Known Traveler Number for expedited security screening as normal. TSA stated: "At this time, TSA PreCheck remains operational with no change for the traveling public."
Q: Is Global Entry suspended? A: Yes. As of February 22, 2026, Global Entry arrival processing has been suspended at all participating airports during the DHS funding lapse. CBP officers have been reassigned from Global Entry kiosks to process general arriving travelers. Existing memberships remain valid, but the expedited entry benefit is temporarily unavailable until funding is restored.
Q: Can I still apply for TSA PreCheck during the shutdown? A: The online enrollment portal appears to still be accepting applications as of February 22, 2026. However, in-person enrollment appointments and background check processing may be delayed during the DHS funding lapse. Submitting your application now positions you ahead of the expected backlog when services fully resume.
Q: What should I do if my TSA PreCheck or Global Entry membership is expiring? A: Submit your renewal online if the option is available. Even if processing is delayed during the funding lapse, having your renewal submitted ensures it can be processed as soon as operations return to normal.
Q: How long will the TSA PreCheck and Global Entry suspension last? A: No specific end date has been announced as of February 22, 2026. Services will resume when Congress restores DHS funding. When the funding lapse ends, expect a period of backlog as enrollment centers reopen and pending applications are processed.
Q: Does my Known Traveler Number still work during the shutdown? A: Yes. If you are a TSA PreCheck member, your Known Traveler Number (KTN) remains valid and will continue to appear on your boarding pass. TSA PreCheck screening lanes are operational, so your KTN works as normal for domestic flights. If you are a Global Entry member, your KTN still provides TSA PreCheck benefits at airport security, but Global Entry kiosks for expedited customs processing are currently suspended.
Q: Will my Global Entry interview be canceled during the shutdown? A: Global Entry enrollment centers may be operating with reduced staffing or intermittent closures during the DHS funding lapse. If you have a scheduled interview, check directly with your enrollment center for the latest availability. The CBP "Global Entry Enrollment on the Hill" event originally scheduled for March 3–6, 2026 has been made contingent on DHS funding being restored by February 25. Do not cancel your application — interviews will be rescheduled when funding is restored.
Q: Is CLEAR still working during the government shutdown? A: CLEAR is a private company and is not funded by the federal government, so CLEAR lanes at airports are not affected by the DHS funding lapse. However, CLEAR expedites identity verification, not the security screening itself. TSA PreCheck expedites the screening process. The two programs serve different functions and are not interchangeable.
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