The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has opened its first-ever PreCheck location outside of the United States. Now, travelers flying from the Lynden Pindling International Airport in Nassau, Bahamas, can use their TSA PreCheck memberships when heading home, according to the agency.
TSA Administrator David Pekoske said in a statement: “Permanently opening this TSA PreCheck lane for travelers who join the risk-based program is a credit to the Government of The Bahamas and the commitment of the officers who are maintaining the highest standards of transportation security…It serves as a model for further extending TSA PreCheck.”
The Bahamas location marks the agency’s first outside of the United States. Nassau was chosen since it is one of 16 international destinations where U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) inspects travelers who board U.S.-bound flights. Nassau is a popular destination with several direct flights from the United States, including from Atlanta, Boston, Denver, Dallas, New York, Miami, and Chicago, to name just a few.
TSA has called the program “a privilege reserved for low-risk travelers” and said it will revoke membership from anyone who is fined by the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for bad behavior in an effort to fight back against disruptive incidents onboard planes.
The Bahamas welcomes American travelers, though they are required to show proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken within three days of arrival. Inter-Island travelers are also required to show proof of a negative test taken within three days. Vaccinated travelers may use any COVID–19 test, but unvaccinated travelers 12 and older are required to take and present a PCR test.
Travelers who have TSA PreCheck memberships are allowed to use a designated security line and are not required to remove their shoes, liquids, or laptops for screening. The program is one of the Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler Programs and costs $85 to renew in person or $70 to renew online.
TSA PreCheck is valid for five years.
