What it’s Really Like to Apply and Interview for Global Entry

Michael and I held off on applying for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Global Entry Program for years, in part because of cost ($100? We can buy a plane ticket for that!) and also because none of the nearby enrollment centers had hours that would fit in with our work schedules.

Note: The cost for Global Entry will increase to $120 in October 2024

But finally, toward the end of 2016, we decided to “gift” the applications to each other for Christmas, along with an overnight trip to NYC. Even still, it took us until March to actually get our act together and apply. Now that we are full-fledged members of the Global Entry program, I thought I’d share a first-hand account of what it’s like to apply and interview:

GLOBAL ENTRY APPLICATION PROCESS

The application took us about forty-five minutes or so to complete. Understandably, the questions are all-encompassing and dig back into the past five years. Have your passport, résumé, and any past addresses handy, as you’ll need to list all countries you’ve visited, places you’ve worked, and residences you’ve occupied in that timeframe.

This was definitely the hardest part of the process for us, as we’ve moved several times in the past five years, and we don’t necessarily have passport stamps from every country we’ve visited. But once you’ve answered all of the questions, you’ll be prompted to enter payment.

While waiting, we read conflicting reports stating the application review process took days, weeks, or months to complete, and we were understandably anxious to hear back after applying since the $100 is non-refundable.

Finally, ten days after submitting our applications, we each received an email saying that our application status had changed. We logged on together and discovered we were both conditionally approved. Hooray! Except… that’s not all. Once conditionally approved, you have 120 days to schedule an interview at one of the Enrollment Centers.

INTERVIEWING AT A GLOBAL ENTRY ENROLLMENT CENTER

People who fly frequently may be able to schedule their interview at an enrollment center over their next layover, but we were disappointed to find out that the airport at our next destination (Indianapolis) does not have an enrollment center.

The enrollment center in Miami had quite a few openings available, compared to other potential airports. We took this as a sign to book a new trip, and we decided to drive down to Miami for a weekend. With two two back-to-back appointments at MIA on a Saturday morning we were off, flip-flops in tow.

We wanted to arrive early for our appointment (but not too early as MIA charges $17 per hour for parking!), so we got there about forty minutes ahead of time. I suggest looking at posts online before visiting the airport so you know where to find your enrollment center. Learning that the Global Entry office at MIA is located near the Lufthansa desk beforehand proved very helpful.

Once we found the enrollment center, we walked through the door into a small waiting room with several chairs, and just one person seated. It was strange, as there was no receptionist or signage – just a glass room of chairs, and a door leading to another room with desks.

The glass on the wall was frosted, and once a family emerged from the desk area, we could see a very foggy-looking person waving us in. We approached the desk, and they asked for our appointment times and documents. The two agents scanned the items, and the one in front of me asked me if I had any questions about the program.

I am notorious for asking too many questions, so of course I said yes. The agent patiently answered my queries (e.g. “Where do I update my passport information when I replace it?” “Online – in the same place you applied”), and the next thing I knew he was taking my photo and fingerprints.

I fully expected to go meet with someone in another room, but it turned out this was the interview. He asked only one application confirmation question (“Have you visited Mexico or Canada in the past five years?” “Yes.”) after collecting my biometric information.

Michael was asked several additional questions, including naming all countries he’s visited in the past five years, as well as if he’s ever been arrested. I know all of this because we were standing side-by-side at the desk while we were interviewed. All in all, the process lasted five minutes, and we were done well before our appointments were scheduled to start.

RECEIVING YOUR GLOBAL ENTRY CARD + USING THE PROGRAM BENEFITS

We were informed that we would receive our ID cards in the mail “soon” (though it took just a few days), but you still need your passport in most cases. One non-travel benefit of having a Global Entry card is that it counts as another form of government-issued photo ID, which can be helpful.

The application number converts to your Known Traveler Number and can be used immediately. The agents recommended logging in to all of your airline accounts, and entering that number in the personal information so it would apply to all future flights.

I was successful in adding my KTN to an already-booked flight and received the benefits after having done so. Once approved, you have access to the program for the next five years – however, we found that it’s not actually five years to the date of approval.

Your status expires on your birthday after five years. Since mine had just passed, my Global Entry access was initially valid until April 2023; Michael’s was only valid until June 2022 (2024 edit: we’ve since renewed our Global Entry benefits and were not summoned for a return interview).

Pro Tip: To get the most value out of your membership, wait until just after your birthday passes to book your interview.

So, how did it go the first time we utilized our Global Entry benefits? Pretty well, actually. Global Entry comes with TSA Precheck when available. Unfortunately on our next flight out of MIA, the Precheck line was closed and we had to wait in the regular line, though we were given a special blue card that allowed us to leave our shoes on (however we still had to remove our liquids bag, which is not something you normally have to do with Precheck).

On our return flight from Europe, we were able to use the special Global Entry kiosks and access a much shorter line at the Customs check. I claimed food products and was let through very quickly after detailing our purchases. Though we were seated toward the back of our plane, we made it to baggage claim ahead of nearly everyone else on our flight.

FINAL THOUGHTS ON GLOBAL ENTRY

So, is Global Entry worth it? Well, we had a good experience on our first use. Though we only leave the country once or twice a year, the TSA Precheck benefits will be helpful on our domestic flights. I think the extra $22 (TSA Precheck alone is ~~$85~~ $78) will be worth it over the next (almost) six years – but time will tell!

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Do you have Global Entry? What are your thoughts? Or are you on the fence about it? What’s stopping you from giving it a go? Let me know in the comments below!

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