On August 15, 2025, travelers from the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand received welcome news: they can now access CLEAR+, the expedited airport security service, at 59 U.S. airports. This marks the first time CLEAR, the New York Stock Exchange-listed identity verification company, has opened its premium lanes to foreign nationals beyond U.S. citizens and permanent residents. The move is part of a broader strategy to reshape the airport experience for millions of international travelers and signals a new era for biometric-based security in the United States.
According to CLEAR’s press release, international travelers from these four countries can enroll online or in person at any participating airport, using their passports for identity verification. Once registered, they gain immediate access to more than 150 dedicated security lanes across the U.S. CLEAR’s CEO, Caryn Seidman Becker, emphasized the company’s mission: “From the beginning, CLEAR’s vision has been to make travel safer, easier, and more predictable using the power of identity.” The company plans to extend this service to additional Visa Waiver Program (VWP) countries before the year’s end, expanding its reach even further.
The timing of this expansion couldn’t be more apt. As the world recovers from pandemic-era travel restrictions, international air travel is rebounding at a rapid pace. According to InvestingPro data cited by Investing.com, CLEAR’s financial health remains robust, with an overall score of 3.51 out of 5. The company boasts over 33 million total members, and more than 7.6 million have opted for the CLEAR+ premium offering. This subset of travelers—often high-net-worth individuals and frequent flyers—are willing to pay a premium for the convenience of bypassing traditional security lines.
What sets CLEAR apart is its use of biometric technology. Instead of relying on manual ID checks, CLEAR+ members verify their identities using fingerprints, iris scans, or facial recognition. As reported by CNBC, California-based CLEAR+ member Candy Buchanan described the process as seamless: “The lanes are shorter and my identity is verified within seconds.” Enrollment is straightforward, and family members under 18 can accompany adult members through the expedited lanes. For these travelers, time saved at security checkpoints is more than a luxury—it’s a necessity.
Membership in CLEAR+ comes at a price: $199 to $209 per year, depending on the source. Yet, for frequent travelers, the cost is often justified by the hours saved and the stress avoided. As one analysis from AInvest noted, a CLEAR+ member who saves 30 minutes per trip and avoids costly rebooking fees could see a net present value of $2,500 over five years—far exceeding the annual subscription fee.
This international expansion is not merely a geographic play. By targeting travelers from English-speaking countries with strong economic ties to the U.S., CLEAR aligns itself with the Visa Waiver Program, which currently encompasses 39 countries. The company’s infrastructure—over 150 lanes at 59 airports—means it can scale membership without costly physical expansions, focusing instead on digital onboarding and strategic partnerships with airlines, airports, and technology platforms. CLEAR’s platform is now even recognized as a REAL ID-compliant solution, embedding it more deeply into the American travel ecosystem.
Yet, CLEAR is not the only player in the expedited travel space. The U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has its own PreCheck program, which allows eligible travelers to speed through security without removing shoes, belts, or laptops. However, as USA Today reported, TSA PreCheck remains limited to U.S. citizens, nationals, and lawful permanent residents. Other programs, such as Global Entry, Nexus, and Sentri, offer various expedited reentry and border crossing benefits, but each has its own eligibility rules.
In July 2025, TSA launched an even faster service at 15 major airports, including Seattle-Tacoma International, called TSA PreCheck Touchless ID. This program uses enhanced facial recognition—Traveler Verification Service—to compare live images with government records, allowing travelers to skip showing IDs or boarding passes. Participation is voluntary and opt-in through select airlines, such as American, Delta, and United. The service is free for existing PreCheck members, whose memberships cost between $77 and $85 for five years. This development highlights the growing role of biometrics in streamlining airport security, though it also raises questions about privacy and data governance.
Not surprisingly, privacy advocates and organizations like the Algorithmic Justice League have voiced concerns about biometric data collection and traveler consent. CLEAR, for its part, emphasizes its opt-in model and asserts that biometric data is not retained after verification. This approach, the company argues, distinguishes it from broader government-run facial recognition programs. As privacy legislation such as the Traveler Privacy Protection Act (S. 1691) gains momentum, CLEAR’s proactive stance on data security and transparency could prove to be a competitive advantage.
Financially, CLEAR’s trajectory remains impressive. In the second quarter of 2025, the company reported $219.5 million in revenue—a 17.5% year-over-year increase—outpacing analyst forecasts from Telsey Advisory Group and FactSet. Operating and net income margins stood at 19.4% and 17.3%, respectively, while its adjusted EBITDA margin reached 27.4%. With $117.9 million in free cash flow for the quarter and a projected $310 million for the year, CLEAR’s recurring revenue model—bolstered by an 85% annual renewal rate among members—appears both stable and scalable. Analyst sentiment remains bullish: Telsey raised its price target to $37, Stifel to $33, and Wells Fargo, while more cautious, set its target at $25.
CLEAR’s ambitions extend beyond airports. The company recently partnered with Nordic to enhance healthcare information security by integrating its CLEAR1 identity platform with Nordic’s IT support. It is also developing integrations with Epic’s Identity Verification system and MyChart patient portal, signaling a move into healthcare and other sectors where secure, rapid identity verification is critical.
Despite its strong position, CLEAR faces risks. Privacy legislation could slow adoption, and competition from TSA’s standalone PreCheck program—priced significantly lower—may pressure margins. However, CLEAR’s bundled offerings (including PreCheck access for some members), international expansion, and partnerships with airlines like Delta and United, as well as employer-sponsored memberships through American Express, provide a diversified revenue base and a competitive moat.
For investors and travelers alike, the question is not whether biometric identity verification will become standard, but how quickly it will reshape the entire travel experience. In a world where time is the ultimate luxury, CLEAR’s blend of technology, convenience, and privacy-conscious design appears poised to redefine what it means to move through an airport—and perhaps far beyond.
As the lines between technology, travel, and personal security continue to blur, CLEAR’s expansion signals a new chapter for both the company and the millions of travelers who demand a faster, safer, and more predictable journey.
