Global Entry is the most coveted distinction you could have when entering the United States (U.S.). What exactly is Global Entry? Essentially, when traveling internationally, it can expedite your entry back into the U.S.. It allows its members to use the “fast lanes” when entering the U.S. from international borders. Trust me, although it sounds all good and well, it's a time saver.
The cost of global entry is $100 (at the time of writing) for 5 years as a trusted traveler. The cherry on top includes TSA Precheck, a buy 1 get 1 deal for travel. And again, you get to use exclusive lanes to get back into the U.S., like a red carpet for your return. If you travel internationally multiple times a year or intend to do so, it is a must have. Even more, if you have certain travel credit cards, you could be reimbursed for the costs in the form of a statement credit. The application process is an easy one, requiring you to add some of the following information:
- Work history (up to 8 years)
- Residential history (up to 8 years)
- Employment history (up to 8 years)
- Date of birth, city and state of birth
- Countries you’ve traveled to in a certain period of time
- Your passport information
- Driver’s license information
- Identifying characteristics – eye color, height, etc.
- Answer some background questions
It took me approximately 20 minutes to complete the application. In the last steps, you preview your completed form, and then submit your payment. I personally didn’t receive a confirmation email that my application was received, so if you submit an application, just trust that they have received it.
The next step after submitting your application is to wait for conditional approval (or denial). Once conditionally approved, you’ll be required to have an in-person interview. You can either schedule the interview ahead of time (interviews in many cities are unavailable for months), or you can try to interview upon arrival back into the U.S.. These interviews last about 10-20 minutes, where they review your application. “Why do you want Global Entry?” “Why do you want to travel internationally?” “What countries have you visited?” etc. And voila, if approved you’ll be walking through the ultra-exclusive Global Entry lanes back into the U.S. for the next 5 years!
My personal experience with the Global Entry process has been an interesting one. I expected my application to be conditionally approved within days of submitting my application since I already had TSA Precheck and am a trusted traveler, or so I thought. I applied on 1/16/23, yet received conditional approval on 3/5/23. What’s worse is my fiancé, who has TSA Precheck and other credentials like me, submitted his application on 1/21/23 and was conditionally approved on 1/23/23, A WHOLE 2 DAYS AFTER HE APPLIED! Yes, I feel slighted because, HOW?
I was conditionally approved for Global Entry on 3/5/23, almost 2 months after applying. Despite the frustration, it worked out well since we were on an international trip at the time I received conditional approval, allowing me to conduct my Global Entry interview upon arrival at the U.S. airport. This is one of the easiest ways to get an interview since availability is usually months out if you try to schedule it.
Upon arrival from Paris to Miami, there was a line of about 200 people waiting to go through customs/passport control. In the Global Entry lane, we had 2 others in front of us, but the line moved quickly. Once we reached the counter after about a minute in line, I told the agent that we wanted to have a Global Entry interview on arrival. He reviewed and scanned our passports, then gave us each an orange sheet referring us for a Global Entry interview, then instructed us to take it to the next agent, who was standing in front of the Global Entry office.
We had a seat and were called into the office individually for interviews after waiting about 10 minutes. The interview was simple, and took about 2 minutes, confirming information submitted on the application. I was then sent to sit outside of the office to wait. After another candidate finished their interview, the agent came outside to explain some of the benefits of Global Entry and that we were all approved and would see the approval reflected in our accounts the next day. After that, we all left the office and were free to head to our final destinations. The entire process took about 20-30 minutes total.
My recommendations, humble your expectations and start your application process early. It takes 10-20 minutes to complete the online application, then after that, it’s a waiting process to be conditionally approved. There seems to be no formula on how, and/or when applications are conditionally approved. My message to you is to be patient, and don’t procrastinate, especially if you intend to travel internationally often.
While this process has been frustrating just waiting to be approved, this application is a small part of the travel hacking journey, ultimately making international travel and re-entry into the U.S. a swift one.
Time is your biggest currency, so make it worthwhile my friends.
Eb EnRoute
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