Global Entry Processing Times Soar: How to Expedite Your Customs Application
If you are planning an international trip, the last thing you want is a delayed Global Entry application. Wait times have recently stretched to nearly a year for many travelers. Fortunately, there are specific workarounds and interview tricks you can use to bypass the massive backlog.
The Current State of Global Entry Delays
Customs and Border Protection is currently dealing with millions of applications. Because of this high volume, processing times are completely unpredictable. Some applicants receive their conditional approval within three days. Others wait anywhere from four to eleven months just to reach the interview stage.
The urgency to apply is also growing because of an upcoming price change. On October 1, 2024, the application fee for Global Entry will increase from $100 to $120. If you want to lock in the lower rate and get your pass before your next big trip, you need a strategy to speed up the process.
Workaround 1: Use Enrollment on Arrival
The single fastest way to skip the interview backlog is a program called Enrollment on Arrival. You do not need an appointment to use this feature.
To qualify, you only need your conditional approval status. Once you are conditionally approved, you can complete your interview upon landing in the United States from an international flight. Instead of walking through the regular customs line, you follow the signs for Enrollment on Arrival.
A Customs and Border Protection officer will conduct your interview right there in the terminal. This service is available at over 60 participating airports. Major hubs offering this include:
- John F. Kennedy International Airport (JFK)
- Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
You must bring your valid passport, proof of residency (like a driver’s license or utility bill), and your physical conditional approval letter or digital known traveler number.
Workaround 2: Snag Cancellations with Alert Services
If you do not have an international trip coming up, you have to schedule a traditional interview at an enrollment center. The problem is that many enrollment centers show zero available appointments for the next six months.
However, cancellations happen every single day. People reschedule their appointments constantly. Instead of refreshing the government scheduling website every hour, you can use third-party alert services to do the work for you.
Services like Appointment Scanner and TTPTracker monitor the official scheduling system 24 hours a day. Appointment Scanner charges a $29 fee for one month of alerts. You select up to three enrollment centers, and the app sends you a text message or email the second an appointment opens up. You must act quickly when you get the alert, as these open slots are usually claimed within two or three minutes.
Workaround 3: Expand Your Interview Search Radius
Many travelers get stuck waiting because they only look for appointments at their closest major airport. You can significantly reduce your wait time by checking smaller regional offices or land border crossings.
For example, residents of New York City often struggle to find dates at JFK or Newark. But if they check the enrollment center located in Bowling Green in lower Manhattan, they might find a slot weeks earlier. Similarly, travelers in the Pacific Northwest might find immediate availability by driving to the Blaine, Washington land border crossing rather than waiting for an opening at Seattle-Tacoma International Airport.
If you have a domestic trip planned, check the availability at your destination airport. You can easily schedule an interview at a different location while you are traveling for business or a family vacation.
The Mobile Passport Control Alternative
While you wait for your Global Entry application to process, you do not have to wait in the standard customs line. The Mobile Passport Control app is a free tool created by Customs and Border Protection.
You can download the app on iOS or Android. When you land in the United States, you take a selfie, answer a few basic customs questions on your phone, and submit the form digitally. This grants you access to a dedicated Mobile Passport Control lane. In many cases, this lane is completely empty and moves just as fast as the Global Entry lane.
Credit Card Perks and Grace Periods
Many premium travel credit cards offer a statement credit that covers your Global Entry application fee. Cards like the Chase Sapphire Reserve, Capital One Venture X, and The Platinum Card from American Express provide a $100 credit (updating to $120 when the fee increases). It is important to know that paying with a premium credit card does not speed up the government review process. Your application goes into the exact same queue as everyone else.
If you are renewing an existing membership, there is good news. As long as you submit your renewal application before your current membership expires, Customs and Border Protection grants you a 24-month grace period. You can continue to use your current Global Entry benefits for two full years while your renewal sits in the backlog.
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does Global Entry take right now? Processing times vary wildly. Some applicants are approved in less than a week. Others wait up to 11 months for conditional approval. Once conditionally approved, you have 730 days to complete your in-person interview.
Does calling Customs and Border Protection speed up my application? No. Customs and Border Protection will not expedite a pending application over the phone. You can only request an escalation if your application has been pending for more than nine months.
What happens if my application is stuck pending review? You simply have to wait. If your status says “Pending Review,” it means the agency is still conducting your background check. You cannot schedule an interview or use Enrollment on Arrival until your status officially changes to “Conditionally Approved.”
Is TSA PreCheck faster to get than Global Entry? Yes. If you only travel domestically, TSA PreCheck is a better option. It costs $78 for five years, and most applicants receive their known traveler number in three to five days. Global Entry automatically includes TSA PreCheck, but it takes much longer to process.