NORTH CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Travelers in South Carolina no longer have to leave the state to complete their Global Entry enrollment.
Charleston International Airport is now home to the state’s first enrollment center for the program, which allows pre-approved international travelers to bypass long passport lines.
The new U.S. Customs and Border Protection office, located near the airport on Porsche Boulevard, is officially opening with a ribbon-cutting ceremony scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday.
It marks the first time a mid-sized airport in the United States has hosted a Global Entry center.
Until now, applicants in South Carolina had to travel to larger airports, such as those in Atlanta or Charlotte, to complete the mandatory in-person interview. The new Charleston office offers 10-minute appointments for that final step.
“They’re upping their game here in Charleston,” Brian DeRoy, a frequent flyer through the Charleston International Airport, says. “I think that’s great because we’re such a big tourist destination and you got to grow it somehow and people want those conveniences.”
Global Entry, similar to TSA PreCheck, uses kiosks to streamline the arrival process for international travelers. The program requires an application, a background check and a fee, but frequent flyers say the convenience alone makes it worth it.
“Travel is really becoming more about making it easy for the passenger,” DeRoy says. “People don’t want to wait in lines. We’re so used to our apps and quicker options, so anything that makes life easier for travelers is a great thing.”
The expansion comes as Charleston International looks to expand its international flight offerings.
Local officials and business leaders say the addition of the enrollment center will make the airport more competitive and attractive to both tourists and business travelers.
Copyright 2025 WCSC. All rights reserved.
