TSA and US Airport Security: A Step-by-Step Guide for International Travelers

Travelers arriving in the United States deal with two separate systems: entry requirements enforced by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) before and at passport control, and the security screening run by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) at the departure checkpoint. Several rules in both systems changed during 2025.

Step 1: Get Cleared to Enter — ESTA or Visa

Citizens of the 42 countries enrolled in the Visa Waiver Program can travel to the US for tourism or business for up to 90 days without a traditional visa, according to immigration guide Boundless. Instead, they apply online for an Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA), submitting passport details, an email address and emergency contact information; the application typically takes under 30 minutes to complete.

An ESTA is normally valid for two years or until the traveler's passport expires, whichever comes first, and covers multiple entries as long as no single stay exceeds 90 days. Boundless reports that the authorization has historically cost $14 in total ($10 authorization fee plus $4 processing fee), with the processing fee rising to $13 from September 30, 2025, pushing the total higher. Travelers from countries outside the Visa Waiver Program need a visitor visa (the B-1/B-2 category) issued in advance through a US embassy or consulate.

Step 2: What ID Works at the TSA Checkpoint

Since May 7, 2025, TSA has enforced the REAL ID Act, meaning air travelers need a REAL ID-compliant driver's license or an accepted alternative to clear a US checkpoint, according to airline trade group Airlines for America. Accepted alternatives include a valid passport, DHS trusted traveler cards and US military ID.

For international visitors this adds no extra step: immigration law firm Wolfsdorf Rosenberg confirms that a valid, unexpired foreign government-issued passport is fully acceptable on its own at the TSA checkpoint. TSA checks identity and matches the traveler to their boarding pass — it does not verify visa status, so a visa stamp or I-94 arrival record is not required for screening purposes, though the firm recommends keeping proof of lawful status on hand near land borders.

Step 3: Pack for the Checkpoint

1. Pack liquids, gels, aerosols, creams and pastes in containers of 3.4 ounces (100 ml) or less, all fitting inside one quart-sized, clear, resealable bag — one bag per traveler, per the TSA-licensed lock maker Travel Sentry.
2. Declare medications (prescription or over-the-counter) to the officer; they are exempt from the 3.4-ounce limit.
3. Declare baby formula, breast milk and juice for infants or toddlers; these may exceed 3.4 ounces and do not need to fit in the quart bag, Travel Sentry notes.
4. Keep duty-free liquids in their original sealed, tamper-evident bag if boarding a connecting flight.
5. Expect to keep your shoes on: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced on July 8, 2025 that the shoe-removal rule in place since the mid-2000s ended immediately and nationwide, NBC News reported. Noem said the rule 'may not apply to passengers who need additional layers of screening,' meaning some travelers may still be asked to remove footwear.

Step 4: Choose a Trusted Traveler Option (Optional)

TSA PreCheck, which allows faster screening at more than 200 US airports, is open only to US citizens, US nationals and lawful permanent residents applying directly, according to Wikipedia's summary of the program. Foreign nationals can still reach PreCheck lanes by joining Global Entry instead, which bundles expedited CBP arrival processing with PreCheck access.

Travel magazine Afar reports that citizens of roughly 19 additional countries — including the United Kingdom, Germany, South Korea, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and, since a phased 2025 rollout, Australia — can apply for Global Entry. The program requires a one-time, non-refundable $100 application fee, an interview with a CBP officer and background screening coordinated with the applicant's home country; membership lasts five years. Travelers from Visa Waiver Program countries with an approved ESTA who skip Global Entry can still use the free Mobile Passport Control app at more than 30 US airports to speed up the arrival declaration, Afar adds.

Step 5: Clear US Customs on Arrival

On landing, every traveler must declare items acquired abroad that were not in their possession when they left, including gifts, per guidance summarized by SmarterTravel. A duty-free exemption of up to $800 in merchandise applies per person, but within that exemption travelers may include only one liter of alcohol, 200 cigarettes and 100 cigars; family members traveling together can pool their individual exemptions, and children receive the same merchandise allowance as adults except for alcohol and tobacco.

Carrying cash is not restricted in amount, but anyone bringing more than $10,000 in currency or equivalent monetary instruments into or out of the US must file a currency reporting form with CBP; failing to declare amounts over that threshold can lead to seizure of the funds or penalties, SmarterTravel notes.

Entry and Screening Programs Compared