I’ve heard of Global Entry but what is it? Global Entry is a program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that speeds up your entry into the 
United States after you’ve been traveling to another country. The typical process when entering the U.S. after traveling is to deplane, proceed to passport control (and possibly wait), go pick up your luggage, go to customs (and possibly wait), and either return your luggage to the airline for the next leg of your flight or exit the airport and head to your destination. Unfortunately, if multiple international flights have landed ahead of you, the wait time can be quite long.
We returned from Victoria BC a few years ago into SEATAC and walked into a line of several hundred people. Off to the side was a sign directing Global Entry holders to go to a different, and much shorter line. We got through passport control in less than 10 minutes. It took us longer to walk to the Global Entry kiosks then to get through them. While it didn’t help with customs, we got through whole process and back into the airport waiting for our next flight in about 30 minutes. We saw people from the non-Global Entry line enter the airport 30 to 45 minutes after us.
OK so I can see some benefit, but really what are all the perks?
- No processing lines at passport control
- No paperwork when entering the U.S.
- Reduced wait times in the airport
- Access to expedited entry benefits in other select countries with a U.S. Global Entry
- Global Entry kiosks are available at major U.S. airports
- Global Entry includes TSA Pre✓® Eligibility
How much does Global Entry cost?
There is a $120 non-refundable fee is required with each completed application. What this means is if you apply and for some reason you don’t get approved for your Global Entry, you are out the $120. Reasons for being denied could include:
- Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
- Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants (to include driving under the influence);
- Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
- Are the subject of an ongoing investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
- Have been denied for the purchase of a firearm;
- Are inadmissible to the United States under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or
- Cannot satisfy CBP of your low-risk status.
If none of the above apply to you, here’s what you need to do to start the process:
- Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account at https://ttp.dhs.gov/. NOTE: everyone who is applying for Global Entry must have their own Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account regardless of their age (your kids will need their own accounts too).
- Log in to your TTP account and complete the application
- Pay the fee $120 to complete the application.
- When your application is accepted, Customs and Border Protection will conduct a review of your application.
- If your application is conditionally approved, your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. NOTE: Each applicant must schedule a separate interview.
- Complete the application process. For your interview you will need to bring your valid passport AND one other form of ID such as your driver’s license or an ID card.
That varies tremendously especially since there are three parts to the process. The first part is the application that was covered above. That part should take less than an hour.
Next is the vetting of your application that’s supposed to take about 2-3 weeks. If there is a problem with your application though it could take longer. According to Customs and Border Protection, a manual review is currently between 12-24 months.
The last part is the in-person interview. This one varies too. Once you have the conditional approval, you could do the in-person the next time you travel through a U.S. international airport with an enrollment center. If you can’t do the interview at an airport, you will have to schedule the interview at a regular Global Entry enrollment center.
One final note, you can apply to renew your Global Entry up to a year before it expires so don’t let it lapse!!
Much of this content was adapted from U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s site at https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry