Last Updated on August 2, 2024
By Jim Ferri
About six weeks ago I applied for acceptance into the U.S. Global Entry Program in order to provide an unbiased view of it for this article. I went through the exact same procedures that every traveler must, starting with the initial application and finishing with my enrollment yesterday. And I’ll tell you right up-front, I was very pleasantly surprised.
This “trusted-traveler” pilot program, now two-years old, is overseen by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and it’s meant to speed up the process of re-entering the U.S. by identifying travelers whom the government deems to be low-risk. These vetted travelers can bypass the normal customs and immigration lines and check themselves through immigration via a kiosk, similar to those you use to get your boarding pass when you arrive at the airport.
Here’s how the system works. If you’re a U.S. citizen or permanent resident you merely fill out a detailed questionnaire online. Once you’re notified you’ve been accepted into the program you then schedule a meeting at a Global Entry office at one of 20 U.S. airports where the program is in effect. The fee is $100, and is paid at the time you make the application.
The worst part of the program is filling out the somewhat tedious application online. It took me more than an hour to wade through the application and answer the numerous questions regarding everything from other names used, to my present and past employment and my travel history.
For example, you’re required to name the countries (other than the U.S., Canada and Mexico) that you’ve traveled to within the past five years. If you travel a lot like I do, that was a bit of a problem since sometimes passports (I was using mine to jog my memory) don’t always get stamped in other countries. Interestingly, though, during my face-to-face interview, I was asked by the Customs agent if I had ever traveled to Canada and Mexico, which I had several times, as she perused my information on her computer screen. It was done, I assume, to ensure that I was being honest.
After you submit the questionnaire online you’re then advised the ensuing background check can take up to two months. You’re also advised to come back to the site regularly to check on the status of your application. I checked several times and always found my application pending.
Then, two days ago, I was surprised to receive an email saying there was information for me online (it appears the government needs to rewrite some of its on-screen info). I logged in and was advised that my application had been approved.
The email also advised that I needed to schedule my interview within 30 days. I went online and was able to schedule it for the next morning (there were plenty of time slots open). (That’s often not the case now, however.) The printout regarding the interview, however, stated that I needed to bring my passport and “a copy of your Conditional Approval Notification” with me. For some reason the system wouldn’t allow me to go back to the approval page so I just printed my original application, which I then saw had an “Approved” note inserted at the top.
Although I had not been instructed to bring my driver’s license to the interview, at the onset of it I was asked for it along with my passport. If you don’t have license you’ll need to produce some other form of official identification to prove who you are.
If you’ve ever been arrested you cannot apply for the program until ten years after the date of your arrest. (The poor guy next to me had gotten into trouble and been arrested nine years and 364 days earlier; although the two Customs agents tried every which way to help him, he was finally told he had to come back the next day.) Those who’ve been arrested more than once are ineligible for the program.
The entire interview took less then 10 minutes, during which I had my photo taken and was digitally fingerprinted. When you use the kiosk at Customs it matches your fingerprints and photo. Your fingerprints are also rerun regularly by Homeland Security and the FBI to ensure that you’re behaving yourself.
Although I haven’t yet tried Global Entry yet, I’ve heard and read nothing but good things about it. It’s said to take only about 40 seconds to clear you through and, what makes it even better, when you use it you don’t even have to fill out the customs form that’s given to you on the plane. You merely scan your passport and fingerprints and answer four questions on the touch screen, which also includes your customs declaration. The kiosk then prints out a receipt that you hand to an officer as you’re leaving.
If you have something to declare, or if there’s a snafu at the kiosk, it puts a black X across the receipt, flagging you to go through a regular inspection with an agent. Customs says they also randomly pull travelers in the program to go through the traditional inspection.
Other countries are also developing “trusted-traveler” programs. The Netherlands, Canada and Mexico, for example, have similar programs and participants in their programs can apply for Global Entry, with each government accepting the background checks and vetting of travelers by the other. The U.S. government is currently in discussion with the UK, Japan and Germany to expand the program with them.
Once accepted into the program your enrollment is valid for five years, after which you must reapply.
Unfortunately, TSA does not have a similar “trusted-traveler” program for when you arrive at the airport so you must still go through the sometimes-onerous screening prior to boarding. But if Global Entry works well perhaps TSA can launch a “Global-Exit” program. There are certainly plenty of travel organizations, legislators and airlines that are calling for it.
(Editor’s note: since this article was first published TSA has instituted “Pre-Check,” a program that allows select frequent flyers of participating airlines and members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler programs who are flying on participating airlines, to receive expedited screening benefits. Eligible participants use dedicated screening lanes for screening benefits which include leaving on shoes, light outerwear and belts, as well as leaving laptops and 3-1-1 compliant liquids in carry-on bags. For information on the program go to http://www.tsa.gov/tsa-precheck).
About 85,000 travelers are now enrolled and U.S. Customs is planning to make it permanent by the end of this year if, as my interviewer said, “someone doesn’t mess it up.”
To apply for Global Entry go to www.globalentry.gov and fill out the application.
The TSA is now accepting them so you now can leave your shoes/belt on and your laptop in the bag.
I don’t quite understand what you’re referring to when you say TSA is now accepting them. You still must take off your shoes and belts and can only leave your laptop in your bag if it’s a TS-compliant laptop bag which unzips halfway open.
What he means is that there is TSA-Pre check program now. Check it out! It’s not available for all countries though. Looks good on paper, can’t beneift from it due to my non-US nationality.
Check and done. Just applied! Now, waiting for my interview. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I applied, was provisionally accepted and got the email telling me to set up my appointment. Only problem is I am a U.S. citizen who lives in Switzerland and thought I could schedule the appt in July when I am home visiting for vacation. And there are no contact numbers so I sent an email explaining this and just got another form email telling me if I don’t set up my appointment my application will be cancelled. So it looks like I did this all for nothing.
Susan,
That’s awful – after going through all of that you have a computer canceling you? If you will please send me an email with your information I will contact someone at Customs and Border Protection to see if someone can sort this all out for you.
Susan,
I’ve spoken with the Public Affairs people at Customs and Border Protection and given them your information. They’re going to try to get everything sorted out for you and you should be hearing from them shortly.
Thanks for your help, Jim. I took your advice and booked my appointment in NYC because Boston/Logan has nothing available until August. I won’t mind spending a day in New York and if something does open up in Boston at least I have the option of cancelling NYC. Thank you again for your help and your tips!
I’m glad it worked out Susan. My experience with the interview was that it was very quick. You’ll find that it all was well worth the effort.
I was arrested a year ago and just went through the process. The CBP officer asked about my arrest and I explained. He stated he just needed an official court document saying my case was dismissed. Once he received that, I was immediately approved. A 10 year arrest record has nothing to do with being approved or not. It’s how the final outcome of the legal situation turned out and for what type of offense.
Hi jim. Thanks for the good reporting. This post was very helpful. I have a question. I am conditionally approved and awaiting my interview. I assume my background check has been done and all looks good. That said, 30 years ago when I was 16 years old and living in Canada I got a DUI that resulted in a 90 day suspension of my license. My the book that is an arrest. I do not have a criminal record associated to it and am wondering if this is something I need to disclose in the interview?
I don’t want to create a problem down the line and not appear dishonest in any way. Any advise? Could this impact my approvals? I have never had any other brushes with the law since.
Thanks.
Hi Andrew,
You have nothing to worry about. The personal interview is quick and pro forma and you are not asked any questions about anything that was covered in the background check (as your Canadian incident was). Also, that incident happened 30 years ago, well past past the 10-year limit set by Homeland Security.
You’ll find the second interview to be quick and easy since they just want to see you face-to-face to ascertain you are who you said you are on the application.
I got flagged when I first used my global entry card and had to go to an office and get questioned etc. I was told that when I got home I should call global entry. Now I can’t check in on the computer for a Mexico flight tomorrow. I tried calling Dallas global entry but just get a recording. I don’t know who to call to fix the problem.
Belinda,
It sounds like you’ve fallen between the cracks. I don’t think there’s anything you can do before your flight tomorrow.
What I would suggest is that when you return home and go through immigration/customs ask to speak with a supervisor — he or she should be able to give you the correct numbers to call and put you in touch with the right person. I’ll keep my fingers cross for you’d
I’d also like to hear how this issue gets resolved.
I should not have to pay the federal government extra money to be efficient. I pay federal taxes annually. If that’s not enough, that’s not my problem.
Just as an FYI update in the application process, my husband and I completed the application on Sunday evening (1/18) and received a conditional approval in the afternoon of Monday (1/19). We are in Southern California and the interview times are full until March or April in Los Angeles but we were able to set up something while we are in Vegas in February.
Linda, I think that’s great since it use to take more than a month to get a conditional approval. I guess they’ve finally put more people on the job. I’d also keep checking to see if some interview times open up earlier in case you want to get your approval earlier. You’ll enjoy whisking through Immigration and Customs in minutes when there’s a 3-hour wait on the regular line.
Thankyou for this post, I am a big big fan of this web site would like to keep updated.
I applied in May 20th 2019 and still have a pending status what can I do
Hi Lynne,
I know how you feel waiting so long. My wife had a similar problem and she was able to solve it by speaking directly with one of the customs people. If you can’t get hold of them by phone (call your local airport office or headquarters in Washington, DC) you may have to go there (to an international airport) in person. Also, if you’re coming back from overseas I’ve found them exceptionally helpful at the airport when I’ve had an issue. I hope this works for you.
Hi Lynne,
I’ve found something that may be helpful to you — which also explains the very long wait.
Copy this link to an article in the Los Angeles Times: https://www.latimes.com/travel/story/2019-09-24/global-entry-not-received-what-to-do
Jim