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Clear opens international enrollment to 36 more countries

CLEAR lane and biometric eGate at a U.S. airport, illustrating faster screening after Clear international enrollment expansion.
by
6 min read

Travelers holding passports from 36 additional countries can now enroll in CLEAR's secure identity program for expedited security at U.S. airports. The expansion adds much of the Schengen Area plus Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, and microstates, building on August's eligibility for Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. Members pay $209 per year and can use CLEAR's dedicated lanes across 60 U.S. airports once enrollment is completed with a passport. The move broadens access ahead of expected travel surges tied to major 2026 events, while maintaining TSA oversight at checkpoints.

Key points

  • Why it matters: More international travelers can access faster security at U.S. airports.
  • Travel impact: Eligible passport holders may save time at 60 airports after enrolling.
  • What's next: Additional Visa Waiver countries could be added later this year.
  • CLEAR+ costs $209 annually, with access to 150+ lanes nationwide.
  • Enrollment can start online, then finish at an airport using a passport.

Snapshot

CLEAR's expansion adds Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Brunei, Chile, Croatia, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Monaco, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, San Marino, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, and Taiwan. They join Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, which became eligible in August. CLEAR+ members verify identity at a dedicated lane, then proceed to TSA screening. CLEAR says it now operates 150+ lanes at 60 U.S. airports. Pricing remains $209 per year, with optional family add-ons. First-party materials indicate more Visa Waiver countries may follow in 2025, signaling continued international growth for the service.

Background

CLEAR is a private identity company that offers CLEAR+, a paid service that speeds identity checks before TSA screening. It is distinct from TSA PreCheck, which is a government vetting program that changes screening rules, such as keeping shoes on. CLEAR has also become an authorized TSA PreCheck enrollment provider, enabling travelers to enroll or renew PreCheck at certain CLEAR locations. In August, CLEAR opened CLEAR+ eligibility to passports from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom, previewing broader international access. The company and TSA are also piloting biometric eGates for identity verification at Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL), Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), and Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA), with wider rollouts anticipated.

Latest developments

How to enroll and what it costs

Eligible foreign passport holders can begin online, then complete enrollment at a CLEAR airport location by presenting a valid passport. Once activated, members can immediately use CLEAR+ lanes on the same trip. The annual price is $209, and CLEAR advertises more than 150 lanes across 60 airports. Family options allow adults to be added for an extra fee, and children under 18 can accompany a member in the lane without their own membership. Airlines and credit-card partners may offer discounted pricing to their members, but availability and terms vary. Travelers should confirm partner rates and airport participation before purchase, especially if they fly from smaller markets.

Where CLEAR works now

CLEAR reports operations at 60 U.S. airports, supporting a mix of hub and focus-city terminals. The company highlights lane counts, with some large hubs hosting multiple entry points. While lane hours can differ by terminal or airline bank times, members typically find CLEAR signage near standard TSA checkpoints before security. The program complements TSA PreCheck but does not replace it. CLEAR verifies identity, then escorts members to TSA screening, where PreCheck or standard rules apply. International eligibility does not extend CLEAR lanes outside the United States, so travelers should plan for regular security procedures on their return or onward legs abroad.

What it means for PreCheck and eGates

CLEAR's expansion dovetails with a TSA-approved pilot of biometric eGates that automate the identity step and could shorten lines at busy checkpoints. For CLEAR+ members, eGates may further compress wait times as airports scale deployment. However, TSA continues to control security screening and decides operational policies, including when and where eGates run. Travelers who pair CLEAR+ with TSA PreCheck often see the biggest time savings because identity and screening each move faster. For international visitors, today's eligibility change unlocks CLEAR+ benefits immediately on U.S. itineraries, with potential incremental gains as eGates arrive at more airports in 2025 and 2026.

Analysis

For inbound business and premium-leisure travelers, expanding eligibility to 36 mostly European passports plus Singapore, South Korea, and Taiwan meaningfully increases CLEAR's addressable market. Many of these travelers already frequent U.S. gateways with heavy CLEAR penetration, so adoption could be swift where lane placement and staffing are strong. The pricing at $209 targets frequent flyers, but partner discounts can narrow the gap for occasional travelers. CLEAR's value proposition remains clearest when paired with TSA PreCheck, reducing both the identity and screening bottlenecks. The eGates pilot, if scaled, may increase reliability by standardizing the identity step and removing ad-hoc podium queues during peak banks. Two caveats persist. First, lane hours and terminal coverage are uneven, so travelers should confirm their specific airport. Second, CLEAR operates only in the United States; time savings will not carry over to outbound or connecting checkpoints overseas. Even so, the broader eligibility should translate into measurable line-time reductions for a globally diverse set of travelers using U.S. airports.

Final thoughts

CLEAR's international expansion aligns with a post-pandemic pattern of premiumizing time savings at crowded hubs. By opening enrollment to 36 additional countries, the company materially widens access while TSA retains control of security. Pairing CLEAR+ with PreCheck still offers the strongest experience, and the eGates pilot hints at further efficiencies ahead. For eligible passport holders who routinely transit busy U.S. airports, the calculus increasingly favors joining, especially when discounts are available through airline or card partners. Expect more lanes, broader hours, and possibly more eligible passports to follow, reinforcing interest in Clear international enrollment.

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