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How Long Does Global Entry Approval Take?

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How Long Does Global Entry Approval Take?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter the United States through automatic kiosks at select airports, bypassing long lines and paperwork.[2]

Some key benefits of Global Entry include:

  • No processing lines
  • No paperwork
  • Expedited entry benefits in other countries
  • Reduced wait times
  • TSA Pre-Check® Eligibility[1]

Your Global Entry membership is good for 5 years before needing to be renewed.

Global Entry vs TSA Pre-Check®

Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check® are both Trusted Traveler programs that provide expedited security screening, but they have some key differences. TSA Pre-Check® provides faster security screening at U.S. airports, while Global Entry also includes expedited U.S. customs screening when arriving from international destinations. Global Entry costs $22 more than TSA Pre-Check® ($100 vs $78 for a 5-year membership) but automatically includes TSA Pre-Check® eligibility.[8] If you travel internationally, even just occasionally, Global Entry is likely the better choice. For a more detailed comparison, check out our article on Global Entry vs TSA Pre-Check®.

Global Entry Approval Timeline

So how long does it actually take to get approved for Global Entry after applying? The short answer is: it varies. Plan for it to take anywhere from 2 weeks to several months from conditional approval to having your Global Entry card in hand.

The first step is filling out the online application and getting conditionally approved. This can happen in a matter of days, or it may take a few months.[4] Once you're conditionally approved, you'll need to schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center, usually located at major airports. Interview availability varies by location, but there can sometimes be a wait of several months for an open slot.[5]

After completing your interview and getting fully approved, you should receive your Global Entry card in the mail within 1-2 weeks. So in a best case scenario, you could have Global Entry in about a month. But realistically, many applicants find the total process takes 3-6 months from start to finish.[5]

Some tips that may help expedite the process:

  • Check multiple enrollment centers for interview availability, even if it means traveling a bit further
  • Consider doing an interview upon arrival from an international trip at participating airports
  • Sign up for a third-party service like GlobalEntryTexts that alerts you to last-minute interview openings[5]

Get Notified of Global Entry Interview Openings

One of the most frustrating parts of the Global Entry application process is the limited availability of interviews. Appointments can book up months in advance, making it hard to find an opening that fits your schedule.

That's where our service at globalentrytexts.com comes in. Once you sign up on our site, we constantly monitor for new interview time slots at your selected locations. As soon as one becomes available, we'll send you a text alert so you can quickly log in and claim the appointment.

Our goal is to help Global Entry applicants speed up their approval process by snagging those hard-to-get interview slots. If you're conditionally approved and waiting on an interview, give our service a try to save time and headache. You can sign up here in just a couple minutes.

Hopefully this gives you a good overview of what to expect in terms of Global Entry approval timelines. While the process isn't always quick, the 5 years of smoother travel ahead make it well worth the effort for many frequent travelers.[1][2][4][5]

Citations: [1] https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/benefits [2] https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry [3] https://www.cbp.gov/sites/default/files/documents/globalentry-info-guide.pdf [4] https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalEntry/comments/19ek5jq/global_entry_approval_timeline/ [5] https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/expedite-global-entry-application [6] https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/travel/tsa-precheck-global-entry-explained [7] https://www.chase.com/personal/credit-cards/education/basics/tsa-precheck-vs-global-entry [8] https://www.bankrate.com/credit-cards/travel/global-entry-vs-tsa-precheck/