Travelers applying for Global Entry, including new members, should expect delays in application processing times, which U.S. Customs and Border Protection says can take up to 11 months.
Longer-than-normal wait times are due to an average of 317,000 new members monthly — an average that has nearly doubled since 2022.
“CBP’s Global Entry program currently has over 12.3 million users, including 9.7 million enrolled directly in GE and an additional 2.1 million other trusted traveler members with GE benefits,” a CBP spokesperson said. “[The agency] continuously seeks opportunities to help more travelers streamline their international arrivals process.”
Global Entry can help you clear customs when returning to the U.S. from abroad in a matter of minutes — sometimes before even physically reentering the U.S. if you’re departing from a pre-clearance location such as Canada.
Although it could take up to 11 months to complete a Global Entry application from start to finish, 33% of applicants were enrolled in 60 days or less and 50% were enrolled within 105 days in 2023 thus far, per CBP.
Tips for getting a Global Entry appointment
The main issue applicants face is finding an enrollment center with availability to schedule an in-person appointment, the final step of the application process.
In February, CBP began releasing interview appointment slots for conditionally approved applicants on the first Monday of every month at 9 a.m. local time. Eligible applicants can schedule an appointment via their Trusted Traveler Program dashboard.
Certain centers can accommodate walk-in requests as well, but CBP recommends contacting your desired enrollment center to verify. A list of enrollment centers is available on the CBP website.
“Given the unprecedented demand and continued interest in TTP, CBP is at an inflection point, where we must provide consistent, efficient, and accessible processing methods for applicants to select an appropriate enrollment option,” TTP director Michael Millich previously said. “This includes ensuring a coordinated release of interview appointments on a recurring basis.”
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While appointment availability varies by location, there were more than 50,000 interview slots at enrollment centers across the country within 90 days as of Aug. 25.
Additionally, CBP has further increased resources and staff for its Enrollment on Arrival process, which allows conditionally approved applicants to complete the interview process at an airport when returning to the U.S. from abroad.
Instead of scheduling and partaking in a formal interview at an enrollment center, you can finish the enrollment process at one of 65 participating airports as part of your trip home.
Monthly Enrollment on Arrival enrollments have nearly doubled from about 30,000 in 2022 to nearly 60,000 during 2023, per CBP.
“The Enrollment on Arrival option remains the quickest and best option for new applicants to enroll in the Global Entry program, as it allows conditionally approved Global Entry applicants to complete their interview when arriving from overseas at designated U.S. airports or at CBP Preclearance locations overseas,” according to CBP.
Extension of Global Entry beyond expiration
Last year, CBP received more applications than ever before, 2.95 million, and CBP said it is on pace to receive over 4 million this year. In response to this, CBP granted an extension of up to two years, pending an interview, to members who renewed their membership prior to expiration.
Additionally, conditionally approved applicants have two years to schedule their interview upon being conditionally approved.
Credit cards that cover Global Entry application fees
A Global Entry membership costs $100 for five years and also includes a membership to TSA PreCheck.
Luckily, there are nearly 50 cobranded airline, hotel and other credit cards offering up to $100 in statement credit reimbursement for the application fees associated with Global Entry or TSA PreCheck. This credit is typically available every four to five years, though you should check the terms for your specific card for the exact frequency.
A variety of low-fee and premium cards offer this benefit, including:
As previously mentioned, most of the credit cards that offer an application fee waiver also allow you to cover a Global Entry membership for someone else. So, if you have an unused Global Entry credit on your Amex Platinum, you could charge another person’s Global Entry fee to your card to reimburse the purchase.
Bottom line
While application and interview wait times vary, apply for Global Entry well in advance of your next international trip.
As of September, there are nearly 12,000 Global Entry appointment slots available within 30 days for in-person appointments at various enrollment center locations, with approximately 1.2 million interview slots in 2023.
CBP will continue to increase the number of interviews available via Enrollment on Arrival and mobile enrollment events in addition to increasing staffing to help expedite the process for travelers.
A potential government shutdown later this week could also further delay processing times.
Related reading:
For rates and fees of the Amex Platinum, click here.
For rates and fees of the Amex Business Platinum, click here.
