Just how long it takes will vary depending on which airport you're passing through and how many fellow travelers are also waiting to complete an interview. But with any luck, the whole process should take about 10 minutes or less!
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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.
If you're approved, at the end of the interview, you'll immediately be enrolled into the program and be given your Known Traveler Number (KTN). Your Global Entry membership card will arrive in the mail anywhere between seven to 10 business days after approval and you have 30 days to activate your card.
Notably, Global Entry membership automatically includes TSA PreCheck membership. This means that travelers with Global Entry can enjoy a faster screening process whether they're traveling domestically or returning to the United States after a trip abroad.
Of course, you'll also need to be arriving from a flight abroad, but at least you can complete the interview without an appointment. It is possible to handle the Global Entry walk-in interview on arrival if you plan.
Global Entry aims to save you time at customs and immigration when you come back into the US, whereas Clear can speed up your journey through security. This means that it could be beneficial to get both Clear and Global Entry if you're a frequent traveler.
The only potential downsides of Global Entry is that it requires fingerprinting and background check and costs $100 every 5 years. Scheduling and completing your Global Entry interview can also be a hassle, which is why taking advantage of Enrollment on Arrival can be wise.
Check your account regularly, as this is where you'll be notified. To schedule a remote Global Entry interview, click on the “scheduling your remote interview link on your Trusted Traveler Program dashboard.