How long does it take to get Global Entry?
Global Entry is a program offered by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). It can help you get through customs faster when you reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad. CBP says it can take four to six months on average to process a Global Entry application.
Learn more about the steps to becoming a Global Entry member.
What you’ll learn:
-
Global Entry helps members move through customs more quickly when reentering the U.S.
-
To become a Global Entry member, you’ll need to fill out an application, pay a fee and schedule an in-person interview.
-
CBP says it typically takes four to six months to get approved for Global Entry after applying.
- Some travel cards, including Capital One’s Venture X, Venture X Business, Venture and Spark Miles, will reimburse cardholders for the Global Entry application fee.*
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) run by CBP that speeds up the U.S. customs process. Global Entry members can skip the line and use a Global Entry customs kiosk at more than 75 U.S. airports when returning from traveling internationally.
Global Entry memberships last five years. Here are some of the benefits:
-
Use of automated kiosks to bypass customs lines
-
Less paperwork
-
Expedited entry at major U.S. airports
-
Shorter airport line wait times
-
Access to TSA PreCheck® at no additional cost
-
Access to NEXUS and SENTRI lanes when entering the U.S. from Canada or Mexico by land or sea
Keep in mind that expedited entry isn’t guaranteed with Global Entry. And members may still be selected for additional screening.
How to apply for Global Entry
There are a few steps to the Global Entry application process:
-
Create a TTP account online.
-
Complete the Global Entry application.
-
Pay the $120 nonrefundable application fee.
-
Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center if the application is conditionally approved.
-
Attend the interview and bring the necessary documents, like your passport and an additional form of ID.
How long does it take for Global Entry approval?
The time it takes to apply and get approved for Global Entry can vary, but here’s a typical timeline:
Global Entry application
After creating a TTP account, you can begin to fill out the online Global Entry application. You’ll provide your personal information and history and answer questions like where you’ve lived and what countries you’ve visited in the past five years.
After you pay the nonrefundable $120 fee, CBP will review the application.
Global Entry interview
If your application is conditionally approved, you can schedule a Global Entry interview at an Enrollment Center. According to CBP, “availability for appointments varies, and there can be a long wait, depending on the location.”
You have up to 730 days to schedule and complete the interview. If you can’t find an appointment time that works for you, CBP recommends checking your TTP account often for cancellations.
If you already have a trip planned, you may be able to take advantage of the Enrollment on Arrival program. This lets you interview at the airport when returning to the U.S. Just make sure to bring the right paperwork.
Global Entry processing time
You can view your application’s status by signing into your TTP account. If the application status says “Pending Review,” then CBP has received and is processing your application.
While times can vary, CBP says it’s typical for a Global Entry application to be processed in four to six months. Note that the processing time can’t be expedited. If there’s a change in status, you can expect an email notification.
Receiving the Global Entry card
CBP says it can take two to four weeks to receive a Global Entry card after being approved. You can activate the card by signing in to your TTP account and clicking Activate Membership Card. A Global Entry card can get you through NEXUS and SENTRI checkpoints, but you’ll still need a passport or permanent resident card for Global Entry at the airport.
Your Global Entry Known Traveler Number (KTN), or PASS ID, will be listed on the back of the card and on your TTP account. You can add your PASS ID to flight reservations to access Global Entry when traveling.
Renewing Global Entry
You can renew your Global Entry membership one year before it expires. If you submit a renewal application before the current membership expires, you can still access Global Entry benefits for up to 24 months after the expiration date.
To start the renewal process, fill out your Global Entry renewal application online, pay the renewal fee and complete the renewal interview, if required. And keep in mind that if you have a Venture or Venture X credit card with Capital One, you’ll get reimbursed up to $120 every four years for Global Entry fees.*
Global Entry timeline FAQ
Here are the answers to some frequently asked questions about the Global Entry process and timeline:
What’s the fastest way to get Global Entry?
The CBP says Enrollment on Arrival “may offer the fastest path to membership approval.” It lets Global Entry applicants with conditional approval complete their interviews upon arriving at a participating U.S. airport after an international flight.
CBP has also recently added Enrollment on Departure. That’s currently only available at Washington Dulles International Airport for those taking international flights out of the country.
Can I use Global Entry immediately after an interview?
The CBP says there’s no set timeline governing how soon after the interview applicants can expect to hear about a decision. But after approval, the CBP says new members should receive their Global Entry card in the mail within two to four weeks.
How can I speed up my Global Entry approval?
Those with conditional approval may have options for speeding up the interview portion of their Global Entry application:
- Check your TTP account frequently for cancellation slots.
- Complete Enrollment on Arrival at a participating U.S. airport after an international flight or Enrollment on Departure if you’re leaving the U.S. from Washington Dulles International Airport.
- Look out for mobile Global Entry enrollment events in your community.
- Use a third-party service called Appointment Scanner. For a monthly fee, it can alert you when cancellations open up appointment slots at your chosen location and may be able to bring your interview date closer.
For those renewing their membership, one option that may speed up the process is to interview via videoconference. Eligible applicants will see an option to schedule a remote interview when signing in to their TTP account.
Key takeaways: How long it takes to get Global Entry
Global Entry can help make international travel more efficient when reentering the U.S. It may take four to six months to be approved for Global Entry after applying, paying the membership fee and interviewing.
Capital One’s Venture X card offers elevated rewards designed to take you further, including a statement credit for the Global Entry application fee and much more.
