Global Entry application processing times can also take four to six months, according to the DHS. In 2022, the average time to enroll for Global Entry was 93 days, the department said. Longer wait times are due to a record number of applications for membership in the trusted traveler programs, according to the DHS.

As of February 2026, many applicants are experiencing delays in TSA PreCheck approvals due to a combination of unprecedented application volumes and a partial U.S. government shutdown that began earlier this month. The shutdown has forced the temporary suspension of many Trusted Traveler Program enrollment centers and has led to a backlog in processing background checks and fingerprinting data. Under normal circumstances, approval takes 3 to 14 days, but currently, some applicants are waiting 60 to 90 days. Other common reasons for individual delays include "manual review" requirements, which occur if an applicant has a common name that triggers a false match in criminal databases, or if there is a discrepancy in the citizenship/immigration documents provided. Additionally, the TSA has been moving toward more rigorous "recurrent vetting" for existing members, which can sometimes slow down the processing of new applications. If your status is "Pending," the best course of action is to check your KTN status online; however, until the current federal funding issues are resolved, the backlog is expected to persist.