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 get travelers through customs faster when they reenter the U.S. after traveling abroad. CBP says it can take four to six months on average to process a Global Entry application.

Read on to learn more about what to expect when applying for Global Entry. 

What you’ll learn:

• Global Entry helps members move through airport customs lines 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 rewards credit cards provide a statement credit to cardholders for the Global Entry application fee.* They include the Capital One Venture X and Venture cards.

Global Entry is a Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) run by CBP. The program helps speed up the U.S. customs process for international travelers returning to more than 75 U.S. airports. Instead of waiting in a typical customs line, members can use Global Entry kiosks instead.

Global Entry membership lasts five years. As part of the program, travelers can expect:

• Expedited entry at major U.S. airports 

• Reduced paperwork

• TSA PreCheck® benefits as part of Global Entry membership

• Access to NEXUS and SENTRI lanes when entering the U.S. from Canada or Mexico by land or sea

According to CBP, expedited entry isn’t guaranteed with Global Entry. And members may still be selected for additional screening.

These are the key steps in the Global Entry application process.

1. Create a TTP account online.

2. Complete the Global Entry application. You’ll provide personal information and answer questions about where you’ve lived and what countries you’ve visited in the past five years.

3. Pay the $120 nonrefundable application fee. This fee covers membership for five years, if approved.

4. Schedule an interview at a Global Entry enrollment center, if your application is conditionally approved.

5. Attend the interview and bring the necessary documents, such as your passport and an additional form of ID.

If you have a Venture or Venture X credit card, you could receive a statement credit up to $120 every four years for Global Entry fees.*

CBP says it’s typical for a Global Entry application to take four to six months to process. Unlike passports, there’s no expedited process. 

You can view your application’s progress by signing in to your TTP account. If you have a pending review status, CBP has received and is processing your application. If there’s a change in status, you can expect an email notification.

Here’s a detailed look at the approval timeline for Global Entry membership.

After you pay the $120 fee, CBP will review the application and either grant conditional approval or deny the application. CBP says it approves most applications within two weeks. But if additional review is required, the process can take 12-24 months.

Once 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. There are also options to schedule interviews when arriving and departing the airport.

If you’re approved for membership, CBP says it can take two to four weeks to receive a Global Entry card. You can activate the card by signing in to your TTP account and following the prompts.

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 PASS ID is the same as your Known Traveler Number (KTN). It appears on the back of the card. Another way to access your PASS ID is by signing in to your TTP account. You can add your PASS ID to flight reservations to access Global Entry when traveling.

People with conditional approval may have options for speeding up the interview portion, which could lead to a quicker approval. Those include:

• Interview cancellations: Check your TTP account frequently for cancellation slots. Some applicants use a third-party service called Appointment Scanner that can alert you when cancellations open up appointment slots at your chosen location. This service has a monthly fee but may be able to bring your interview date closer.

• Enrollment on Arrival: The Enrollment on Arrival program allows applicants with conditional approval to interview at a participating U.S. airport after an international flight. 

• Enrollment on Departure: The Enrollment on Departure program provides options to enroll before departing from Washington Dulles International Airport or Miami International Airport. 

• Community enrollment events: Look out for mobile Global Entry enrollment events in your community.

CBP says travelers can renew Global Entry memberships one year before they expire. If you submit a renewal application before your membership expires, the agency says you can access Global Entry benefits for up to 24 months after the expiration date.

You may not be required to interview again when you renew your membership. If an interview is required, you could speed up the process with a video interview. Eligible applicants will see an option to schedule a remote interview when signing in to their TTP account.

Here are answers to some frequently asked questions about the Global Entry process and timeline:

Global Entry can help make international travel more efficient for travelers 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. 

If you’re interested in Global Entry membership, you might also consider applying for the Capital One Venture X card. It offers elevated travel rewards, including a statement credit of up to $120 for the Global Entry application fee.*