Known Traveler Number Guide: (How to Lookup, Global Entry, Pre-Check) [2023]

This comprehensive article will tell you everything you need to know about your Known Traveler Number.

I’ll cover how you can get one and the best way to do that with programs like TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry. I’ll show you how to look-up your Known Traveler Number and add it to your travel itineraries with airlines like United, Southwest, and Delta.

Finally, I’ll explain the differences between a Known Traveler Number and a Redress Number.

What is a Known Traveler Number?

A Known Traveler Number, also called your “KTN,” is a 9-digit number used to link your TSA Pre-Check enrollment to your travel itinerary in order to ensure that you can receive TSA Pre-Check benefits like expedited security screening.

This is the same number used for other trusted traveler programs, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI. However, for these latter programs, this number is known as your “PASSID.”

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

TSA pre-check station — Your Known Traveler Number is vital for getting expedited security screening with TSA Pre-Check.

Why do you want a Known Traveler Number?

With a Known Traveler Number, you can participate in TSA Pre-Check, which means you’ll be able to breeze through security at airports.

How do you get a Known Traveler Number?

You can get a Known Traveler Number by signing up, getting approved, and paying the fees for any of the following programs:

TSA Pre-Check

As already discussed, TSA Pre-Check will usually get you through airport security in a breeze.

You’ll usually get access to a priority security line which is often much shorter than the standard security line (though not always, unfortunately).

You’ll also be able to go through a less restrictive and invasive screening process. You often only have to pass through a traditional metal detector (as opposed to the full-body scanners) and you also get to enjoy the following benefits:

Shoes can stay on
Belt can stay on
Light jackets can stay on
Laptops allowed to stay in bag
Liquids (3-1-1 Rule) can stay in bag

This program costs $78 to enroll for five years and it does not require the extensive interview process that Global Entry requires. There are multiple ways to get TSA Pre-Check for free and you can read about those here.

Global Entry

Global Entry would be my preferred method for obtaining a Known Traveler Number. That’s because not only will you get TSA Pre-Check, but you’ll also get expedited entry at Customs and Immigration when making your way back into the US.

This program does require you to attend an interview to be approved but the interview process is not difficult at all. If you’ve got a clean criminal history and come prepared with your documents then you should pass the background check and interview without any issues at all.

In some cases this “interview” process will only take about five minutes total.

You might get asked some very basic questions like what countries you have visited and whether or not you have traveled for business or pleasure. It’s hardly anything close to an interrogation in most cases.

The hardest part is often scheduling the interview because availability can be limited and in some cases it might take weeks (or even months) to find an open slot.

Luckily, some airports offer interviews upon arriving from international locations. So if you have some international travel coming up, this can be one of the easiest ways to get approved for Global Entry.

There are many credit cards that come with a $100 statement credit for your Global Entry application fee, so it’s very easy to get this program for free. My personal recommendations for getting a $100 statement credit for your Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check is to go with the United Explorer Card. It has great perks and a low annual fee and you can read more about it here!

Since you’ll get both TSA Pre-Check and expedited entry back into the US, I think Global Entry is the way to go for many people.

NEXUS

NEXUS is a joint program between the US and Canada that will grant pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited entry into both Canada and the US. Specifically, membership in the NEXUS program allows you to reduce your wait times at designated ports of entry by:

Using dedicated processing lanes at land border crossings
Using NEXUS kiosks when entering Canada
Using their card in dedicated SENTRI lanes along the U.S.-Mexico border
Using Global Entry kioks when entering the United States, and
Calling a marine telephone reporting center to report your arrival into the United States and Canada

You may also be granted access to the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) Security Line at some Canadian airports to expedite airport pre-boarding security screening. (This is like a Canadian version of TSA Pre-Check.)

Just like Global Entry, NEXUS will require you to clear a background check. The difference is that this background check also is submitted to Canadian authorities, such as the Canadian Security Intelligence Service (CSIS), Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).

One of the major draws to the NEXUS program is that the application fee is only $50. This is surprising since NEXUS comes with both Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check, which cost $100 and $85 respectively. For people who live near or travel between the US/Canada border, NEXUS is an especially attractive bargain.

SENTRI

The Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection (SENTRI) is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States.

You can enter the United States by using dedicated primary lanes into the United States at Southern land border ports so this is a program you might be interested in if you’re traveling between the US and Mexico a lot.

You might be a little overwhelmed with all of the different Trusted Traveler programs and perhaps you’re not sure which program you should sign-up for.

If that’s the case you can check out this TSA tool which can help you narrow down what program is most ideal for you based on your citizenship, number of flights, and travel destinations.

CLEAR

CLEAR is a privately owned service offered to passengers that allows them to bypass the lines going into airport security, whether you are going into the standard security line or the TSA Pre-Check line.

In order to use it you find the CLEAR line leading to security which should have little to no line and then you simply scan your boarding pass and biometric data and then you’re off to the races and able to skip whatever line you would have been waiting on. You don’t even have to show your ID.

CLEAR can be great for frequent flyers in busy airports but it’s not cheap at $179 per year (though cheaper promos are often available). This program does not require you to have a Known Traveler Number.

Mobile Passport

Launched in the fall of 2014, Mobile Passport Control is an app, developed by Airside Mobile and Airports Council International-North America in partnerships with CBP, that you can download to use in order to expedite your entry into the US. It’s available in the Apple App Store and Google Play.

It’s free to use and can be just about as good as Global Entry at some airports, though I’d still take Global Entry over Mobile Passport.

That’s because Global Entry gets you Pre-Check and also allows you to get through customs AND immigration while Mobile Passport often only get your priority access through immigration. This program also does not require you to have a Known Traveler Number.

Image via CLEAR.

Adding a Known Traveler Number

Once you have your Known Traveler Number, you’re going to need to add that number to your travel profiles for the various airlines so that your Known Traveler Number will automatically show up in your itineraries.

However, you should note that your Known Traveler Number will NOT automatically show up in all of your travel itineraries.

Many people assume that once they add their Known Traveler Number to their profile, it will always show up but that’s not the case. So you always need to double check that your KTN was added.

Below, you can see how to add your Known Traveler Number to some of the major airlines. For whatever reason, it is not always the easiest thing to do since you often have to click around a lot.

Usually you can find where to input it if you just look for your profile and a button allowing you to edit your profile, but the steps below should help you locate this.

American Airlines

Sign in to your American Airlines account and then click on your name at the top of the page. Then click on “your account.” Next, click on “edit account” and then click on “Information and password.” Scroll down and then under “Secure traveler,” you will see where to input your Known Traveler Number.

Southwest

Sign in and click on “My Account” and then scroll to “My Preferences” to change your personal details within your profile information.

United

Sign in and click on Profile and Preferences and then click on “Travel identification documents” and then you’ll see the area to enter it in below.

Delta

Go to the Delta website and log-in and then proceed to My Delta -> My Profile -> Basic Info. You’ll then see a field where you can input your Known Traveler Number.

JetBlue

First, sign in to your JetBlue account. Click on the arrow in the upper right corner by your name and then click on “Edit profile.” Scroll down and you will see where to input your information.

Hawaiian Airlines

First, sign in to your Hawaiian Airlines account. Go to My Account and under that click on “Profile & Settings.” Click on the travel tab and you will see where to input your information.

Travel portals and OTAs

Most online travel agencies (like Expedia) will allow you to enter in your Known Traveler Number into your profile which should populate into your itinerary when you make a booking.

But since you’re dealing with a third party, you should always verify that your number was properly included in your booking.

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Add Known Traveler Number after booking?

If you add your Known Traveler Number to your profile after you make a flight reservation, there’s a good chance that your flight itinerary is not linked to your Known Traveler Number and you won’t get TSA Pre-Check.

In that case, you should be able to call up the airline and request for them to input your number into your itinerary.

You could also just wait until you arrive at the check-in desk for baggage and request for your Known Traveler Number to be added to your boarding pass.

Also, sometimes you’ll have to re-add your Known Traveler Number to specific itineraries. It’s not always clear why this happens but sometimes you’ll just have to do it.

If you ever are given a boarding pass without TSA Pre-Check on it and you know you have a TSA Pre-Check membership, simply approach an agent at the check-in desk and tell them you would like to add your Known Traveler Number.

It’s usually no problem for them to do this and they can re-issue you a boarding pass in a couple of seconds that has TSA Pre-Check.

For the reasons above, I highly recommend that you keep your Known Traveler Number somewhere easily retrievable like in your smart phone in a folder or app that you won’t forget about and can quickly pull up.

Where can I look up and find my Known Traveler Number?

If you are a member of the TSA Pre-Check Application Program you can, look up your KTN online.

If you are a member of another trusted traveler program, such as Global Entry, NEXUS, or SENTRI, log on to the Trusted Traveler Program website to obtain your PASSID, which once again is the same as your KTN.

You’ll find it right under “Program Memberships.”

You can also check the back of your trusted traveler cards for your PASSID. Note that TSA does not issue an ID card like Global Entry, NEXUS, and SENTRI do.

Global entry card with pass ID known traveler number — Global Entry card showing where you can find your Known Traveler Number. Image via United.

What is a redress number?

You might also be wondering about a redress number since that field often shows up near where you input your Known Traveler Number.

A redress number is the record identifier for people who apply for redress through the DHS Travel Redress Inquiry Program (DHS TRIP).

“DHS TRIP is for travelers who have been repeatedly identified for additional screening and who want to file an inquiry to have erroneous information corrected in DHS systems.”

For example, someone might share the same name as another person on a no-fly list and that might bring up a red flag every single time this unfortunate traveler attempts to board a plane.

The redress number will help those people avoid additional searches, pat downs, and questioning in the future.

So in case you were wondering a redress number really has nothing to do with your Known Traveler Number.

Known Traveler Number for Military members

If you are a member of the military, you can utilize TSA Pre-Check for free.

Members of the U.S. Armed Forces can get expedited screening including those serving in the U.S. Coast Guard, Reserves, and National Guard.

This can be done by using the official Department of Defense (DoD) identification number when making flight reservations. Your 10-digit DoD ID number is located on the back of your Combined Access Card ID and it is not the same as your SSN. Read more about how to utilize this benefit here.

TSA Pre-Check vs Global Entry

Now that you’re aware of all of the benefits you might be wondering whether or not you should choose TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry.

The answer to this question depends a lot on your personal preferences.

If you are only going to be traveling within the US then your need for Global Entry will be nearly zero.

In that case, getting TSA Pre-Check should be just fine. The only drawback to that is that if an unexpected trip comes up you’ll lose out on the benefit you could have had with Global Entry.

On the other hand, if you’re going to be traveling internationally then you might want to think about Global Entry since it will save you a lot of time getting back into the country.

The two drawbacks to Global Entry are that it requires you to attend an interview and that the background check can be tough to clear if you have anything on your record like a DWI, DUI, etc.

Known Traveler Number FAQ

What is the easiest way to get a Known Traveler Number?

The easiest way would be to get approved for TSA Pre-Check.

Do I need a Known Traveler Number for CLEAR?

No, you do not need a Known Traveler Number for CLEAR?

How do I add my Known Traveler Number to my itinerary?

At the time of booking, you will typically see a field where you can enter your Known Traveler Number. In addition, you can add your Known Traveler Number to your frequent flyer profile.

If you are at the airport, you can also ask an agent to add your Known Traveler Number to your boarding pass.

What is the difference between a Known Traveler Number and PASS ID?

There is no practical difference and these are essentially the same.

Final word

As you can see, getting a Known Traveler Number can be very easy and can even be done for free with the right credit card.

I recommend going with a program like Global Entry to get your PASSID/Known Traveler Number and using a credit card with a $100 credit for Global Entry.

If you always keep your Known Traveler Number with you at all times you’ll be able to add it to your boarding pass when needed and there shouldn’t be any major issues.

Daniel Gillaspia

Daniel Gillaspia is the Founder of UponArriving.com and creator of the credit card app, WalletFlo. He is a former attorney turned full-time travel expert covering destinations along with TSA, airline, and hotel policies. Since 2014, his content has been featured in major publications such as National Geographic, Smithsonian Magazine, Forbes, CNBC, US News, and Business Insider. Find his full bio here.

Global Entry Interview: What to Bring? [2022]

Once you’ve filled out and submitted your Global Entry application you should receive your conditional letter of approval (assuming you didn’t raise any red flags).

After that, it’s time to schedule a Global Entry interview.

Hopefully, it won’t take too long for you to find an open interview slot but before you go in to seal the deal, you need to know what to bring to your Global Entry interview.

Global Entry Interview: What to Bring

You will need to bring any documents to the interview that you provided as part of the application.

The following original documents are usually required:

The letter inviting you to an interview;
A valid passport or permanent resident card.
Documents providing evidence of residency. Examples are a drivers license (if the address is current), mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.

A few things to note:

If you travel using more than one passport, bring them all to the interview so that the information can be added to your file. This will allow you to use either passport at the Global Entry kiosk;

If you are a UK citizen and applied for Global Entry, and you are not a U.S. lawful permanent resident (green card holder) you must bring an original copy of your ACRO Disclosure Certificate (police certificate) to the interview.

To see a list of documents required for the interview, log in to the TTP website, go to your Dashboard, and select the Interview Confirmation link provided.

You will only be able to access this while your application is in the “Interview Scheduled” stage.

Note that the document requirements may be different based upon the program you applied for.

Want to avoid Global Entry fees?

Consider applying for a credit card that comes with a $100 Global Entry credit if you want to avoid paying the enrollment fee. One of my top cards is the for the credit is the Chase Sapphire Reserve, which currently offers a $300 travel credit.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

Conditional letter of approval

If you forget to bring your conditional letter of approval it’s probably not a big deal as there are many reports out there of Global Entry agents just pulling up the applicant’s information online.

In fact, the CPB states:

You will need to bring a copy of your conditional approval letter. To print the letter, log into your TTP account and you will see it under Notifications. If you do not have it, then please write down the PASSID number issued to your application and print out a copy of your interview confirmation.

So the key is to have a way to bring the PASSID number with you (though I think they can still access your number if you don’t have it).

Tip: This PASSID number will end up becoming your “Known Traveler Number” and it will be what you use to trigger TSA Pre-Check on all of your flights so it’s really important that you jot down or memorize this number.

Proving residency

I brought my driver’s license to my Global Entry interview to provide evidence of my residency but you don’t have to bring a driver’s license.

Instead, you can bring items like utility bills, bank statements, payment statements for mortgage/rent, and some have even brought credit card statements. (If your address is not up to date on your license, you’ll have to bring in one of these documents.)

If for some reason you run into an issue during the interview, you could refer to the “etc.” language found in their documents to argue why your documents are valid to prove residency.

Non-citizens

You will need to bring all documents that you have used to fill out your application.

This will typically be a passport, driver’s license, machine-readable permanent resident card, or visa based on the program you applied for and your status in the United States.

Documents for changes needed

If anything has changed or you made mistakes on your online application, then be sure to bring in documents to support the changes.

For example, if your address changed but you don’t have your new address on your driver’s license yet then you’ll need to show additional proof of residency like rent statements.

Criminal records

If you are trying to get approved for Global Entry and you have a criminal record, you may need to bring additional documents.

The CPB states that in addition to the standard travel documents and proof of residency, you should bring “Court disposition papers for any prior arrests or convictions.“

Prior arrests and convictions can disqualify you from being eligible for Global Entry, so it’s very important that you bring all the documents you can related to your prior criminal record.

Some do get approved despite having a criminal conviction — you can read about those experiences here.

And see what the CPB says about it here.

Enrollment on arrival interviews

Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) is a program launched in 2017 operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to allow Global Entry applicants who are conditionally approved to complete their interviews upon arrival into the United States at many airports.

So you can’t just show up out of the blue to do Enrollment on Arrival — you need to have submitted your application prior to arriving AND be conditionally approved.

I’ve heard somewhat mixed things about enrollment on arrival experiences.

Some have been able to effortlessly make their way through the interview in a matter of minutes and complete their Global Entry process.

In other situations, applicants have had issues finding where to go or finding personnel to tend to their application due to staff shortages or simply because someone was on “break.”

Sometimes the lines can be very long so be sure to budget a lot of extra time if you plan on going this route.

Whenever you arrive in the US you should see signs (like the one seen below) pointing you towards where to go for EOA.

These are the different airports that you can currently do the upon arrival interviews.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

What to bring to a Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) interview?

Initially, U.S. Customs and Border Patrol stated that for EOA, “[y]ou won’t need any additional documents other than the requisite documents for international travel (e.g., your passport).“

But later they clarified that you should bring:

A valid passport.
Documents providing evidence of residency (not required for minors)
A permanent resident card (if applicable)

So be sure to bring proof of your residency even when you are doing EOA.

What is the Global Entry interview like?

If you’re curious what the Global Entry interview is like then you can read about my experience here.

Overall, it’s a pretty simple and straightforward experience consisting mostly of softball questions.

Basically, you’ll be asked a series of basic questions about your job, travel plans, and a few other things.

For example, I was asked things like:

“What’s your occupation?”
“Do you travel for business or pleasure?”
“Do you travel with a family?”
“Have you ever been arrested?”

You’ll also get your fingerprints taken as well as a photo. It’s usually a pretty low-key experience.

Things only get a little bit rough when unexpected things come up or the officer suspects something.

For example, Brad mixed up his travel history with North and South Korea on his latest interview and that ruffled a few feathers.

As far as how long the Global Entry interview should take, it will probably take around 20 minutes. Some have experienced longer interview times closer to 45 minutes but I’ve also had interviews last as short as 10 minutes.

Often, it’s the waiting for your interview to start that takes up most of the time. But sometimes you get lucky and get in and out in a jiffy.

What to wear

You might also be wondering what you should wear to a Global Entry Interview. Thankfully (for some people) your fashion taste will not dictate whether or not you are approved.

My advice would be to be wear something comfortable and casual. Avoid clothing that is extra revealing or that has political statements on it, especially if they could be considered extreme.

Basically, just avoid anything that would draw unnecessary attention to yourself and you will be fine.

And remember, be prepared for your Global Entry photo that will be printed on your Global Entry card.

Renewing Global Entry Interview: what to bring

If you are renewing your Global Entry membership, the same document requirements above will apply in your case.

I recently renewed my membership after moving to a different state and all I had to do was show my new Arizona driver’s license to prove my residency.

I did have a couple of additional documents with me such as new utility bills but they never requested for me to show them.

And remember, an interview for program membership renewal may not be necessary.

Minors in a Global Entry Interview

Minors typically don’t have identification documents nor do they have credit card bills, rent statements, or any of the other joys we experience as adults.

So when it comes to their interview all they need to show is a passport. Some people bring additional documents like birth certificates or documents showing residency but those probably will not be needed.

Minor children do need to have a parent or legal guardian present at the time of the interview.

Global Entry Interview FAQ

What documents do I need to bring to my Global Entry interview?

The letter inviting you to an interview
A valid passport or permanent resident card
Documents providing evidence of residency (Examples are a drivers license (if the address is current), mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.)

How can I avoid Global Entry fees?

You can avoid Global Entry fees by using the $100 Global Entry credit on a card like the Chase Sapphire Reserve.

Do I need to bring my conditional letter of approval?

Yes, you need to bring your conditional approval letter. If you do not have it, then write down the PASSID number issued to your application and print out a copy of your interview confirmation.

How long does the interview last?

A Global Entry interview may only last around 20 minutes though some can be shorter or longer.

What do I bring if I have a criminal history?

If you have a criminal history then you should bring court disposition papers for any prior arrests or convictions.

What questions will I be asked during the interview?

You typically will be asked very basic questions which include questions like:

“What’s your occupation?”
“Do you travel for business or pleasure?”
“Do you travel with a family?”

Final word

Global Entry interviews are actually pretty straight forward.

As long as you take a moment to make sure you’re bringing all of the documents requested, you should be good. And even if you do screw up, the agents might allow you to come back within a short amount of time to remedy your application.

Daniel Gillaspia

Global Entry Guide (Application & Interviews) [2022]

Global Entry is one of the travel perks that I absolutely would not want to travel without. It has saved me tons of time and stress over the past decade and I think anybody who does even a small amount of traveling should consider it.

In this comprehensive article, I’ll tell you everything you need to know about Global Entry. I’ll cover things like the benefits, eligibility, and how the entire process works, as well as answer a lot of common questions.

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection service that allows pre-approved, low-risk travelers expedited entry at select airports when passing through immigration and customs checkpoints.

Tip: Use the free app WalletFlo to help you travel the world for free by finding the best travel credit cards and promotions!

What are the Global Entry benefits?

Expedited entry through immigration and customs at airports
Expedited entry at other ports of entry including cruise terminals
Expedited entry in select other countries
TSA Pre-Check
Government-issued ID card

Expedited entry through immigration and customs at airports

Whenever you arrive back in the US, you will be able to skip the long lines at immigration via automated kiosk stations (I explain how that process works below).

This will save you lots of time in many cases.

In fact, the time savings can be doubled as many airports also have separate lines at customs. So when you are trying to exit the airport with your baggage, you often can skip the long lines there as well.

Expedited entry at other ports of entry including cruise terminals

It’s not just airports that offer expedited entry, you can also get through border checkpoints quicker when crossing back into the US at cruise terminals.

While rare, it’s possible you could come across an “express lane” when departing a cruise, such as the line that Port Everglades, FL had.

Expedited entry in select other countries

By getting approved for Global Entry, you’ll be able to access security clearance programs in other countries that offer expedited entry. I‘ll have the full breakdown of those below.

TSA Pre-Check

If you are approved for Global Entry, you will be given TSA Pre-Check automatically. TSA Pre-Check will allow you to bypass the main security screening line when arriving at airports and also provide you with some additional benefits that make the security screening process much quicker and less stressful.

These additional benefits include:

Shoes can stay on
Belt can stay on
Light jackets can stay on
Laptops allowed to stay in bag
Liquids (3-1-1 Rule) can stay in bag

Government-issued ID

Something that a lot of people don’t realize is that a Global Entry ID card is an official government recognized identification. So if you ever lose your license or your passport, often times this ID can help you in those situations.

It also can be used at certain ports of entry. The CBP states that they “accept Global Entry cards for lawful U.S. entry at land and sea ports of entry” and the cards can be used “for expedited entry into the United States via the SENTRI and NEXUS lanes.”

Picture of a global entry sign at an airport. — Benefits extend beyond US borders with Global Entry.

How much does Global Entry cost?

The Global Entry application fee is $100 and if you are approved your membership is good for five years. Note that if you are not approved, you will NOT get refunded the $100.

The good news is that there are many credit cards that offer Global Entry credits to completely cover your $100 application fee. A lot of these are travel credit cards that offer additional perks and benefits that make them well worth holding onto.

A few of the top cards for Global Entry credits include:

The Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve

How does Global Entry work?

After you apply, attend an interview, and you get approved, you will be issued something known as a “PASSID” which is also called a “Known Traveler Number.” This number will be automatically attached to your passport.

When you arrive back in the US, you will be able to bypass the main immigration line and head over to a kiosk area where you can scan your passport and biometrics. After verifying your travel details and making any declarations, you will be issued a receipt and often you will show that to an immigration officer who will quickly wave you through immigration.

It’s a very efficient process that takes the pain out of international travel to a large degree.

Who is eligible for Global Entry?

To be eligible for Global Entry you need to be a citizen of the US or another recognized country and also be able to pass the background check.

Citizens eligible for Global Entry

U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, and citizens of the following countries are eligible for Global Entry membership:

Citizens of Argentina
Citizens of India
Citizens of Colombia
Citizens of United Kingdom
Citizens of Germany
Citizens of Panama
Citizens of Singapore
Citizens of South Korea
Citizens of Switzerland
Citizens of Taiwan
Mexican nationals

Something to note is that if you come from certain countries, there may be additional requirements that you have to meet in order to be eligible.

For example, if you were applying for Global Entry and you were from Taiwan, you would first need to obtain a Police Criminal Record Certificate from the local Taiwan Police Department.

Also, Global Entry members who are not U.S. citizens or U.S. lawful permanent residents must keep CBP updated regarding visas.

If an individual obtains a new visa or a new petition for a work visa they must go in person to an enrollment center so that the CBP can update their information. You can find out more about those requirements here.

Background check eligibility for Global Entry

In order to get approved for Global Entry, you must pass a background check.

Criminal history

This background check will require your history to be squeaky clean when it comes to criminal activity.

If you have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants, you may not get approved. Past offenses include driving under the influence.

Luckily, there is a time component to these criminal offenses.

Online sources state that if your conviction is 10 years or older, you can still pass a background check. Your conviction might still be brought up in the interview, but at least you can get past the conditional approval stage.

Customs and immigration violations

If you have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country, you could lose your membership status.

So let’s say you were caught transporting banned plants from a country like Australia, that infraction could cost you your eligibility for Global Entry.

So be smart and always think about the consequences!

Ongoing investigations

Even if you have not been convicted, if there is an ongoing investigation by any federal, state, or local law enforcement agency, you might not be able to pass a background check.

Not allowed in the US

This one is a no brainer but if you are not admissible into the US under immigration regulations, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation, you will likely not get approved.

Cannot satisfy CBP of your low-risk status

Basically, if CBP cannot deem you a low risk traveler you will be out of luck. However, it is possible to appeal the decision for your Global Entry eligibility.

Age requirements

There are no age requirements for Global Entry.

However, if you are under the age of 18, you must have your parent or legal guardian’s consent to participate in the program. But note that the parent or guardian does not have to be a Global Entry member.

Also, regardless of your age you will have to have your own TTP account and each applicant must schedule a separate interview.

To sign up for Global Entry follow these steps:

Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account
Complete the online application and pay the $100 fee
Get conditionally approved
Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center.
Get approved!

Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account

In order to sign up for Global Entry you will need to create a trusted traveler program account. You can do this online in a matter of minutes.

Complete the online application and pay the $100 fee

In order for your application to be reviewed, you will have to pay the $100 nonrefundable application fee.

The good thing about Global Entry is that you don’t have to use a card in your name to pay the fee. So if somebody else has a credit card with a $100 Global Entry credit, they can use it on your application.

Get conditionally approved

After submitting your application for review, the next thing you need to do is get the conditional approval letter. This should come within a couple of weeks although mine have always come in a few days.

You should get an email and/or notification leading you to a letter you can access online that begins something like:

We are pleased to inform you that your U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Global Entry membership application has been processed and you are now invited to visit an enrollment center to complete the enrollment process.

This letter is important because it will have your Global Entry membership number aka PassID aka Known Traveler Number. Be sure to print out this letter because you will need to bring it with you to the interview; also be sure notate your membership number just in case you end up losing your letter.

You will need to complete enrollment within 365 days of the date of conditional approval.

Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center

The toughest part about this process might be scheduling an interview. Keep reading below for more details on how to schedule an interview.

Get approved!

Sometimes you’ll get approved right on the spot at the conclusion of your interview.

Other times you might have to wait around a little bit for your confirmation email. When I was initially approved for Global Entry, my confirmation email came about one hour after my interview was over.

If you do not hear back after a couple of days, something might be wrong and you might want to follow up.

Once you are approved, your PASSID (that is also your Known Traveler Number) is live.

This is the number that you will need to plug into your frequent flyer profiles for different airlines in order to ensure that you receive TSA Pre-Check.

Membership will be good for five years beginning from the date of your next birthday.

This is one reason why I recommend for people to apply right after their birthday because they can essentially get six years of membership.

How do you complete an interview for Global Entry?

There are three ways to knock out the interview requirement for Global Entry:

Schedule an interview
Walk-in appointment
Enrollment on Arrival

Scheduling an interview

To schedule an interview simply log into your account and you should see a blue call to action button allowing you to schedule an interview.

One of the most challenging aspects of signing up for Global Entry is getting an interview.

Getting an interview is somewhat problematic for some people because there are not many interview locations and the wait time for an interview opening could be several months depending on where you live.

One of the ways that you can make this process less painful is by checking the available interview slots on a regular basis.

Many times people will change their appointments or cancel them and slots will open up allowing you to reschedule your interview.

When I initially signed up for Global Entry many years ago, I was able to reschedule my appointment and get it done within a week.

To do this, simply click on “reschedule appointment” and search for open slots.

Doing a Global Entry walk-in interview

Many people simply show up unannounced to an enrollment center at an airport and try to get an interview done on the spot. It’s a bit aggressive but hey it sometimes works despite the fact that many (if not most) enrollment centers explicitly state they do not accept walk-in appointments.

Typically, if you were doing something quick like a name change it seems like they are more accepting of those types of requests.

Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival (EOA)

If you are struggling to find an interview slot, one of the best things that you can do is simply do “Enrollment on Arrival.”

If you are flying back from an international flight, at some airports you will see a designated area that you can get your interview conducted at on the spot. Simply look for a sign that indicates Global Entry “Enrollment on Arrival.”

Check the FAQ below for a list of all of the airports where you can do Enrollment on Arrival.

If you do decide to go this route, make sure you have all your documents. You will need your passport and proof of residence (such as a drivers license), mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.

Picture of a global entry enrollment on arrival sign. — Enrollment on arrival is one of the easiest ways to get the interview done.

What is the Global Entry interview like?

A typical Global Entry interview is very quick and not nearly as thorough or invasive as you might think.

Generally, they will be asking you straightforward questions such as: What type of travel do you do, business or leisure? What countries have you visited?, etc. They are very much softball questions.

If there is something questionable on your application, that will probably come up in the interview so be prepared to address certain things.

But after answering a few questions and allowing them to take your biometrics (fingerprints) and a photo, you will be off to the races!

(I have heard some locations asked applicants to watch a short video in the past.)

If you want more details about the interview process, you can read about my interview experience at Houston Intercontinental Airport.

What do I need to bring to a Global Entry interview?

Most applicants will only need to bring:

The conditional letter of approval
A valid passport
A document showing proof of residency such as a drivers license

But note that depending on your circumstances, you might need to bring in additional documents. I’ll explain more below.

Conditional letter of approval

You should bring your conditional letter of approval to the interview. If for some reason you do not have your letter, at the very least be sure to have your PASSID number found on the application.

The CPB states:

You will need to bring a copy of your conditional approval letter. To print the letter, log into your TTP account and you will see it under Notifications. If you do not have it, then please write down the PASSID number issued to your application and print out a copy of your interview confirmation.

So the key is to have a way to bring the PASSID number with you (though I think they can still access your number if you don’t have it).

Valid passport or permanent resident card

You’ll need to bring a valid passport or permanent resident card.

If you travel using more than one passport, bring them all to the interview so that the information can be added to your file. This provides you with the ability to use either passport at the Global Entry kiosk.

Proof of residency

For many people the proof of residency will be a drivers license assuming that the address on the license is current. In other cases though you could bring something like a mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill etc. Note that minors do not need a proof of residency.

ACRO Disclosure Certificate

Court disposition papers

If you had any prior arrests or convictions, you will need to bring court disposition papers that explain what happened with your case. Read more about what to bring with you here.

How do you renew Global Entry?

In order to renew your Global Entry, you will need to go online and go through the renewal process. You won’t be able to renew your membership until one year prior to it expiring.

Renewing your membership will require you to input additional details that have changed since the last time you were approved. For example, if you have moved to different addresses or travelled to different countries, you will need to update the application with that information.

You will not always have to go in for a second interview whenever you renew your Global Entry membership. But if you are unlucky like myself, you will have to go in for an additional interview.

Typically, there will be a six-month grace period after your membership expires. During this time, you should have access to your for Global Entry benefits although I’ve heard some people have issues getting TSA Pre-Check.

Because of the coronavirus outbreak in 2020, the CBP allowed for a temporary one year grace period.

Is Global Entry worth it?

The value in Global Entry is that it is a huge timesaver. The amount of time that you will save will depend on how much international travel that you do.

Basically, you need to ask yourself how often are you going to be going through immigration and customs?

At some airports during peak hours, the long wait time for immigration can be over 90 minutes! (You can look up waiting times here.) That is a very long time to be waiting and just imagine if you had to endure that long wait time after crossing the Atlantic. It’d be no fun, I assure you.

But with Global Entry, you can usually skip those long lines.

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Global Entry benefits in other countries

As mentioned above, Global Entry will get you expedited entry in select other countries.

Australia

When traveling in Australia, you can access SmartGate courtesy of the Australian Customs and Border Protection Service. This will allow you to self-process through passport control and may be faster than waiting for a Customs and Border Protection officer.

There is no registration process for SmartGate but in order to use it U.S. citizens must be:

Traveling on a valid U.S. electronic passport, and
At least 16 years old

Germany

When traveling in Germany, you can access EasyPASS-RTP Which allows you to partially self process at passport control. This automated control system does not fully replace manual border checks but it does help to speed up the lines at airports that handle the highest volumes of passengers.

Mexico

If you are approved for Global Entry, you can apply for Viajero Confiable. You’ll need to meet some additional requirements which include:

Applicants must be at least 18 years of age
Applicants must hold a valid machine-readable passport
An interview at one of the Viajero Confiable enrollment centers is required
Biometric information will be collected at time of interview
Application fee

Once approved, your membership will be good for five years.

New Zealand

In New Zealand you will have access to a dedicated screening lane when arriving at Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch International Airports. The lanes should be clearly marked with signs that say US Global Entry and in order to access the lines, Global Entry members simply present their Global Entry card, U.S. passport, and arrival documentation.

Panama

When touching down in Panama, you can take it vantage of Panama Global Pass.

Republic of Korea

In Korea, Global Entry members can use Smart Entry Service (SES) — a trusted traveler program operated by the Republic of Korea for expedited processing. These can be used at three popular airports: Incheon, Gimpo, and Gimpae.

US citizens must first become a Global Entry member, and may then apply for the Korean SES program. You can learn more about SES at Smart Entry Service for U.S. Citizens.

Other trusted traveler programs

Global Entry is just one of a handful of Trusted Traveler Programs that make security screening and traveling through borders easier. These other programs include:

TSA Pre-Check
NEXUS
SENTRI
FAST

TSA Pre-Check

As already mentioned, if you are approved for Global Entry you will get TSA Pre-Check. Because Global Entry is only a little more expensive than Pre-Check, I recommend most people to consider Global Entry. The only reason why you would not get Global Entry is it for some reason you have absolutely no plans to travel internationally.

NEXUS

NEXUS is pretty much the Global Entry for getting into Canada on an expedited basis. It’s cheaper than Global Entry but credit cards do not offer credits for this program. If you live near the Canadian border you should seriously consider Nexus.

SENTRI

SENTRI is for expedited entry into the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. This can be a great way to expedite your land crossings. Though this is the most expensive program at $122.50.

FAST

FAST is for truck drivers entering and exiting the U.S. from Canada and Mexico. So if you’re not a commercial truck driver, this program is not of much interest.

In addition to those programs, there are a couple of non-Trusted Traveler Programs that can be very handy when traveling.

Mobile Passport

Mobile Passport is a free app you can use to get expedited entry through immigration. It doesn’t come with all of the perks that Global Entry comes with like TSA Pre-Check, expedited customs lines, and perks in other countries. But it is great for using for groups when some individuals don’t have Global Entry and it can also be used at some cruise terminals.

CLEAR

Finally, there is also the program CLEAR. This is the ultimate way to expedite your airport experience because you can jump to the front of the line. If you combine TSA Pre-Check with CLEAR then you have the ultimate streamlined screening process and it’s great for frequent fliers. Just note that CLEAR is expensive.

Global Entry FAQ

What does conditional approval mean?

Conditional approval means that you have met the minimum threshold for advancing to the interview process. You will likely get approved but there is still no guarantee.

How do I find a Global Entry enrollment center?

To find an enrollment center where you can get an interview done, click here. You’ll be able to search by state or country. Many of these are located at airports but not all of them are.

Does Global Entry really save you time?

Yes, Global Entry can save you lots of time whenever you are entering back into the US. In some cases, it could save you 30 minutes to an hour of waiting time.

How much does Global Entry cost?

$100.

How can I get Global Entry for free?

Several credit cards such as the Platinum Card offer credits that allow you to sign up for free.

What airports have Global Entry?

The following airports have Global Entry kiosks. But note that the airports with “*” do not have enrollment centers.

Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH)*
Anchorage – Ted Stevens International Airport (ANC)
Aruba – Queen Beatrix International Airport (AUA)*
Austin – Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)
Bermuda International Airport (BDA)*
Boston-Logan International Airport (BOS)
Burlington International Airport (BTV)*
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)*
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Dallas/Ft. Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
Dublin Airport (DUB)*
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
Ft. Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport, Houston (IAH)
Grand Bahamas International Airport (FPO)*
Guam International Airport (GUM)
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ)
Hartford – Bradley International Airport (BDL)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
Houston – Hobby International Airport (HOU)
Indianapolis International Airport (IND)*
John F. Kennedy International Airport, New York (JFK)
John Wayne Airport (SNA)*
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Lambert – St. Louis International Airport (STL)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
McCarran International Airport, Las Vegas (LAS)
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Milwaukee – General Mitchell International Airport (MKE)
Minneapolis/St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Nashville International Airport (BNA)
Nassau – Sir Lynden Pindling International Airport, Bahamas (NAS)*
New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
New York – Stewart International Airport (SWF)*
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Oakland International Airport (OAK)*
Ontario International Airport (ONT)*
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
Orlando-Melbourne International Airport (MLB)*
Orlando-Sanford International Airport (SFB)
Ottawa Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Pittsburgh International Airport (PIT)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Providence – T.F. Green International Airport (PVD)
Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU)*
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)*
Saipan International Airport (SPN)*
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
San Jose International Airport (SJC)*
San Juan-Luis Muñoz Marin International Airport (SJU)
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport-SeaTac (SEA)
Shannon Airport (SNN)*
South Bend International Airport (SBN)*
Southwest Florida International Airport (RSW)*
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Toledo Express Airport (TOL)*
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD)
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)

What airports have Enrollment on Arrival?

Enrollment on Arrival is available at the following locations:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Abu Dhabi international Airport (AUH)
Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix in Oranjestad, Aruba (AUA)
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (MWI)
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Detroit Metropolitan International Airport (DTW)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
Grand Bahamas International Airport in Freeport (FPO)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston
Halifax International Airport (YHZ)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK)
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
John Wayne International Airport (SNA) in Orange County, CA
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK)
McCarren International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport San Juan (SJU)
Lynden Pindling Nassau International Airport (NAS)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport(SJC)
O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
OrlandoSanford International Airport (SFB)
Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) /li>
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Shannon Airport (SNN)
St. Georgeâs Bermuda International Airport (BDA)
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston
Winnipeg James Armstrong international Airport(YWG)

Can my spouse use my Global Entry?

Global Entry can only be used by individuals who have their own membership. If you are interested in expedited entry for individuals without Global Entry, look into Mobile Passport.

How long will it take me to get approved for Global Entry?

The amount of time it takes from the time of applying to the time of approval will vary based on how long it takes you to get an interview. This could range from a few weeks to a few months. In some cases, there are delays that last for several months.

Final word

Global Entry is one of the best ways to spend $100 assuming you even have to come out of pocket for the fee. It will upgrade your airport experience allowing you to save a lot of time and stress when entering back into the US.

Daniel Gillaspia

Tucson, Arizona Global Entry Interview Guide [2021]

By far one of my favorite travel perks is Global Entry. It’s saved me countless hours of waiting time when arriving back in the US and allowed me to breeze through immigration and customs. Combined with TSA Pre-Check, it is the ultimate benefit for frequent travelers.

If you are in the Tucson or general Arizona area and looking to get approved for Global Entry or renew your membership, I’ll explain everything you need to know below.

Signing up for Global Entry

If you are new to Global Entry, the way it works is that you first create a Trusted Traveler Program account.

Then, you will apply specifically for the Global Entry program. The application can take a little bit of time because you will have to input a lot of information about your history related to addresses, jobs, and countries visited.

If you’ve been on the move a lot then this can take some time to track everything down but if you have access to all of your prior information, it won’t be that difficult.

If you have questions about the application process I would check out my complete guide to Global Entry. And if you are renewing your membership, check out the renewal guide.

Once you complete the application, you will need to pay the $100 fee and remember that the fee is not refundable even if you don’t get approved.

A couple of the top cards for Global Entry credits include:

The Platinum Card from American Express
Chase Sapphire Reserve

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After you submit your application for review, you will then wait to receive a conditional approval letter.

If you have applied during the coronavirus pandemic, your wait time to receive this conditional approval letter may be delayed and I know several people who have had to wait many weeks.

Once you are conditionally approved, you can then schedule an interview which is what this article is all about.

Be prepared to wait several months for an interview slot to open. With coronavirus slowing things down, wait times are pretty long. You can always check the interview schedule on a daily basis to see if anything opens up.

Keep in mind that the office in Tucson does not accept walk-ins.

Global Entry interview in Tucson Arizona

Before you head over for your interview, make sure that you have all of the necessary documents needed.

For most people, this will consist of:

The letter inviting you to an interview
A valid passport or permanent resident card
Documents providing evidence of residency. Examples are a drivers license (if the address is current), mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.

To see a list of documents required for the interview, log in to the TTP website, go to your Dashboard, and select the Interview Confirmation link provided.

Arriving for your interview

Your interview will be held in a building adjacent to Tucson International Airport (TUS).

The address is:

7081 S. Plumer Blvd Tucson, AZ 85756

Note that this address is different from the address currently listed on the CBP website. That is because CBP/Global Entry just transitioned over to this new facility.

The new location is great because there is a very accessible parking lot next to the building and you don’t have to worry about making your way through an airport like you do in some other cities.

The facility you need to arrive at is located in a large tower that you absolutely cannot miss. You’ll see Tucson on the side of the tower making it even easier to distinguish.

You should also see signs outside pointing you towards the Global Entry Enrollment Center.

Once you walk in, there will be a little lobby area and you will need to go through the sliding doors and check in with an agent. When I visited for renewal, an agent immediately got with me and sat me down for the process.

They advise that you don’t arrive earlier than about 10 minutes prior to your interview time so I would try to be respectful of that request. (In my case, I arrived exactly 10 minutes prior to the interview time.)

There are a number of booths that you may sit in front of and this is where they asked me my interview questions. During my interview, there were no other applicants. While the questions they ask you are not super private, it was nice not having others around.

I did see a separate interview room so in some cases they might take you in there for your interview. I’m also not sure if they handle the original application interviews different from the renewal interviews in terms of where they seat you.

If you’ve never done a Global Entry interview before, they are nothing to worry about. These interviews are extremely short and they ask you easy questions like “do you travel for business or pleasure?” Once the interview is complete, they will take your fingerprints and also take a picture of you for your ID.

You can read about my past experience with a Global Entry interview here.

Within about 10 minutes my appointment was finished the interview was finished and my Global Entry was renewed. In some cases, they don’t notify you that you are approved on the spot and you will receive an email later on.

Overall, I thought that the staff at Tucson International Airport was pretty phenomenal. Very easy-going and competent. I would highly recommend doing your appointment here if it is convenient.

Enrollment upon arrival

Global Entry enrollment upon arrival allows you to take care of your Global Entry interview at the airport when flying back into the US. Unfortunately, if you were hoping to do enrollment upon arrival at Tucson International Airport, that is not currently an option. (Phoenix does offer enrollment upon arrival.)

Currently, these are the airports offering that option:

Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
Abu Dhabi international Airport (AUH)
Aeropuerto Internacional Reina Beatrix in Oranjestad, Aruba (AUA)
Baltimore/Washington International Airport (BWI)
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
Chicago Midway Airport (MDW)
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
Cleveland Hopkins International Airport (CLE)
Dallas Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
Denver International Airport (DEN)
Detroit Metropolitan International Airport (DTW)
Dublin Airport (DUB)
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
Fairbanks International Airport (FAI)
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
Fresno Yosemite International Airport (FAT)
George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) in Houston
Halifax International Airport (YHZ)
Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL)
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
John F. Kennedy International Airport in New York (JFK)
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY)
Metropolitan Oakland International Airport (OAK)
McCarren International Airport (LAS) in Las Vegas
Miami International Airport (MIA)
Minneapolis St. Paul International Airport (MSP)
Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Luis Munoz Marin International Airport San Juan (SJU)
Lynden Pindling Nassau International Airport (NAS)
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport(SJC)
O’Hare International Airport (ORD) in Chicago
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
OrlandoSanford International Airport (SFB)
Ottawa International Airport (YOW)
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
Portland International Airport (PDX)
Reno-Tahoe International Airport (RNO)
Sacramento International Airport (SMF) /li>
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
Seattle Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
Shannon Airport (SNN)
St. Georges Bermuda International Airport (BDA)
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU) in Houston
Winnipeg James Armstrong international Airport(YWG)

Global Entry Tucson FAQ

What is the address for a Global Entry interview in Tucson?

7081 S. Plumer Blvd Tucson, AZ 85756

Do they accept walk-ins for a Global Entry interview in Tucson?

No, you must make an appointment.

How long does the interview take?

The interview is usually very short and may last between 5 to 10 minutes.

Final word

I’ve had a couple of Global Entry experiences now and I have to say that this was one of the best. It was extremely easy to find parking and get into the building and the agents were also very helpful and friendly. I don’t think I could have asked for a better experience.

Daniel Gillaspia

American Express Global Entry & TSA Pre-Check Credit Guide [2020]

Offers contained within this article maybe expired.

Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check programs are great because they allow you to breeze through airports, when you are departing or arriving back in the country (depending on which program you get). These programs do require you to pay high application fees but luckily you can avoid these fees by using the right Amex cards that offer reimbursement credits.

This article will tell you everything you need to know about the American Express Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check credits. I’ll also explain which program might be better for you based on your individual goals and preferences.

Interested in finding out the top travel credit cards for this month? Click here to check them out!

What is the American Express Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check credit?

The American Express Global Entry/TSA Pre-Check credit allows you to receive a statement credit when paying the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check. The statement credit for Global Entry is $100 and the statement credit for TSA Pre-Check is $85. Both of the programs are good for five years.

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How does the Amex credit work?

After you use your eligible Amex card to pay for your application fees, you’ll see a statement credit show up on your account.

It could take up to 8 weeks after the qualifying Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check transaction is charged to the eligible Card account for the statement credit to be posted to the Card account.

If you do not see a credit for a qualifying purchase on your eligible Card after 6-8 weeks, simply call the number on the back of your Card. Card Members are responsible for payment of all application charges until the statement credit posts to the Card account.

What Amex cards are eligible for the credit?

There are several Amex cards that allow you to receive a credit for Global entry and TSA Pre-Check.

American Express Gold Corporate Card Members
Consumer Platinum Card® Members
Corporate Platinum Card Members
Business Platinum Card Members
Consumer Centurion® Members
Corporate Centurion® Members
Business Centurion® Members

The most common card that most will rely on for their credit is the Amex Platinum Card. This is one of the most valuable premium-level travel rewards credit cards on the market.

Here’s a rundown of some of the major benefits that you’ll get with the Platinum Card:

60,000 miles after spending $5,000 within the first 3 months
$200 Uber credit
$200 airline credit
Priority Pass access for you and two guests
Centurion lounges access for you and two guests
Delta SkyClub access when flying with Delta
Hilton Honors Gold elite status
SPG Gold Preferred elite status (and therefore Marriott Gold and Ritz-Carlton Gold), and rental car status as well
5X on airfare and 5X on hotels booked through the Amex Travel portal
TSA Pre-Check/Global Entry $100 credit

You can add up to 3 authorized users for $175 and each of these authorized users will also get up to a $100 Global Entry or Pre-Check statement credit. Thus, it can be very worthwhile to add several authorized users since you can up to $300 worth of credit with them alone.

Global Entry

Global Entry is a program that allows you expedited entry back into the US when traveling internationally. It allows you to breeze through US immigration by entering through a shorter line and scanning your passport at a kiosk. You’re then able to go through a separate US Customs line for your baggage. By skipping two potentially long lines, you can save tons of time when entering the US.

Global Entry also comes with TSA Pre-Check. So if you get approved for Global Entry, you’ll be issued a Known Traveler Number and be able to to use TSA Pre-Check.

The process for getting Global Entry can take a bit of time. First, you’ll need to pay the $100 application fee and be conditionally approved. After that, you’ll need to schedule an interview or simply do a walk-in interview at certain locations. The Global Entry interview process is not very intensive. As long as you don’t have a criminal history and don’t have questionable travel patterns, you shouldn’t run into any issue with getting approved. (Just remember to bring your required docs.)

Once you’ve been approved the program, you’ll be granted a PASS ID which will be automatically linked to your passport number you applied with. You won’t have to carry around a card and all you’ll have to do is scan your passport when you arrive through the airport. Your membership will be good for five years.

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TSA Pre-Check?

TSA Pre-Check allows you to go through a priority security line which is often much shorter than the standard security line (though not always, unfortunately).

Shoes can stay on
Belt can stay on
Light jackets can stay on
Laptops allowed to stay in bag
Liquids (3-1-1) can stay in bag

This program costs $85 to enroll for five years and it does not require the extensive interview process that Global Entry requires. You still have to visit an enrollment center, but it’s just to offer your fingerprints and to verify your identity.

Once you are approved for the program you’ll get a Known Traveler Number which you’ll need to input into your frequent flyer profiles with the airlines so that you’ll receive the TSA Pre-Check perks on your boarding pass.

Many airports have TSA Pre-Check stations but not every terminal in those airports have them. Also, sometimes for whatever reason, you might not get issued a boarding pass with TSA Pre-Check and you won’t be able to take advantage of the perks even though you are enrolled in the program (this still has not happened to me yet).

Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check?

A lot of people wonder whether or not they should choose TSA Pre-Check or Global Entry.

The answer to this question depends a lot on your personal preferences.

If you are only going to be traveling within the US then your need for Global Entry will be nearly zero. In that case, getting TSA Pre-Check should be just fine. Also, if you don’t think that you can pass the Global Entry interview and background check because of past criminal issues (many times even DWIs can be an issue), then you might want to settle for Pre-Check until more time passes since your latest criminal offense.

On the other hand, if you’re going to be traveling internationally then you might want to think about Global Entry since it will save you a lot of time getting back into the country. Even if you only have one international trip a year, Global Entry can be worth it if you get caught with some ridiculous lines back through immigration and customs.

American Express Global Entry FAQ

Can I use the Global Entry credit for someone else?

You should be able to use your statement credit on a card that is in your name for a Global Entry application that is in someone else’s name.

However, note that when paying for TSA Pre-Check at an enrollment center, you will usually be required to have a credit card in that person’s name or at least to be present when using your card, so “lending” a card to someone else is not a good idea for TSA Pre-Check.

How often can I get the statement credit?

Card Members are eligible to receive statement credit every 4 years for the application fee for either Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check when charged to an eligible Card.

Can I get a credit for TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry?

Card Members will receive a statement credit for the first program (either Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check ) to which they apply and pay for with their eligible Card regardless of whether they are approved for Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check.

Does using an Amex increase my approval odds?

No, using an Amex card for your application fee has no bearing on your approval.

Can I get a credit refund if I get denied?

No, if you get denied for Global Entry or TSA Pre-Check you will not get your credit refunded. You will have to wait four years until you can utilize the credit again, though you can attempt to re-apply anytime you wish (without the credit).

Does Amex has access to my application information?

No, Amex does not have access to any information provided to the government by the Card Member or by the government to the Card Member.

Does the credit work for other programs like NEXUS, SENTRI, CLEAR, etc.?

No, the credit will not work with other program applications such as NEXUS, SENTRI, and Privium.

Final word

If you do any type of air travel, it’s really a no-brainer that you should use your Amex statement credit to enroll in one of these programs. Membership lasts for five years and it’s free with your credit so any inconvenience with attending interviews or enrollment centers is well worth it in my opinion.

Daniel Gillaspia

Global Entry Interview at Houston Intercontinental Airport Report

One of the most daunting parts of getting Global Entry is the interview process. It can take a long time to find an open interview slot and some people have worries about the questions they will face.

But I’m here to tell you that getting through my Global Entry interview at George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH) was a breeze for me and hopefully it will be for you, too.

Here’s a breakdown of what you can expect at your appointment and some insight that might help you get seen a little quicker.

Scheduling a Global Entry appointment at IAH

The availability for IAH interview slots changes what seems like daily. If the earliest appointment time for you is weeks out then I definitely recommend checking a couple of times a day to see if any earlier openings show up.

After I received my conditional approval and I tried to schedule my appointment, there were no openings showing up for at least a month out!

Later that evening, however, I was able to find a morning interview for 9 days later (and that’s including Christmas). So it is definitely possible to find an interview within a week or two from the time that you’re conditionally approved.

July 9, 2017 update: You can take care of your interview while returning to the US at select airport locations, including IAH and HOU. When you are getting ready to make your way through immigration, you should see a sign for Global Entry for people who are already conditionally approved. The sign should look like the image below.

Picture of a global entry interview on arrival sign. — You can do your interview when arriving from an international flight now at select airports.

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Where do you go for your Global Entry Interview at IAH?

Park in the arrivals concourse for Terminal E, walk to the elevators and go down to ground level as you enter into the terminal. Walk over to the Starbucks area and you will see a sign pointing you towards a doorway where another sign tells you where to find the Global Entry office. (If you’re facing the Starbucks, the door is going to be on your left.)

The door to the room where the interviews take place won’t open until 8am but you can go through the glass door and wait in the hallway before it opens. Know that they schedule multiple people for the same slots, so If you have an 8am appointment (or any time near that time), you can go ahead and get in line to ensure that you’re the first one seen.

Tip: make sure you that you have all the needed documents before your interview.

Do they take walk-ins for Global Entry?

No. Or at least not officially. We called ahead to ask if they take walk-ins and were told no. We also checked with the alternate Houston venue for an interview, the Houston Public Library, and they informed us that they do not take any walk-ins.

Those are their official policies, but see my experience below on walk-ins.

Can you arrive earlier than your appointment time?

Brad and I both had appointments.

His was at 8:30 and mine was at 9:30.

We arrived around 8am to see if we could get seen early and were partly successful, as Brad was able to be seen about 15 minutes prior to his scheduled interview time and I had to wait all the way until 9:30.

It’s pretty unorganized how they run things to be honest.

First, as soon as you walk in they take down your name and notate your appointment time. Presumably, they also take note of your arrival time so that you’d be seen before someone else who comes in later. However, that’s not how it worked.

After we checked-in they began calling out names and I was really surprised at the number of no-shows.

For every person who showed up there was at least one or two people who didn’t. Because of the number of no-shows, Brad was able to get seen about 15 minutes early, which was really nice.

However, after they called his name, a number of people came into the room and checked in. Some of these people had appointments before me so even though I was there before them, I didn’t expect to be seen before any of them.

Yet, as I waited for my name to be called, I noticed that several people were being seen before me despite the fact that they had appointments after me and had arrived after me! I realized this because when they “checked-out” the officers would announce their appointment time.

By the time I realized this, several handfuls of others had come in and all of them had appointments before my time so I wouldn’t have felt fully justified in demanding to be seen before them. Thus, while Brad got seen early, I had to wait till 9:30 to be seen.

It was a pretty annoying experience when others were getting called before me even though they arrived later and had later appointment times, but at least when my appointment time came I was seen first and seen on time. So I can’t really complain, too much.

Allowing Walk-ins

So as mentioned their official policy is that they don’t allow walk-ins.

However, they let a couple in when I was there.

In fact, one lady stated that she was on a “waiting list” and was seen before me. I don’t know how she got on this alleged waiting list or if that was just her way of saying she’s a walk-in but it worked for her.

There were also a number of others arriving without appointments with random requests like name changes and renewals and these people were usually seen within minutes.

If you try to show up as a walk-in the greeting officer will likely tell you that there’s no guarantee they can get to you but they seemed to get to at least some of the folks coming in without appointments. (This could be different at a later time in the day when they are really swamped.)

So the answer to whether or not you can arrive early and be seen early is probably a “it depends.”

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What is the Global Entry interview like at IAH?

The “interview” is hardly anything of an interview.

First, the day I went, there were only three officers (there are 4 total desks in the room).

One officer seemed to be the facilitator of the appointments and didn’t really do interviews but the other two officers stayed busy knocking out the interviews, which usually lasted no longer than 5 minutes.

The layout in the room is all open and unless you intend on whispering your answers to the officer, everybody in the room can probably hear your responses, as there’s really no privacy.

About 12 chairs line the wall of the room and once things picked up, several people had to wait outside so don’t be surprised if you have to wait out in the hallway, especially if you don’t come early in the morning.

After being asked to give them a copy of my conditional approval letter (don’t forget that), I was only asked a couple of questions like, “What’s your occupation?” “Do you travel for business or pleasure?” “Do you travel with a family?” Very basic stuff. Both officers conducting the interviews were very friendly and it was a completely painless experience.

Unfortunately, I’d forgotten to mention that I spent time in Australia within the last five years on my Global Entry App when I filled it out online. So I told him that I’d forgotten that and he just added it to my file with no issue.

After asking me a couple of questions and notating my file, the officer then went over some of the procedural information for Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check and after only about 3 to 4 minutes the “interview” was over. Unlike many accounts elsewhere, we didn’t have to watch any introduction video or anything like that.

Once the interview was over, I was fingerprinted with the electronic machine and he took a photo and the whole thing was over just like that.

Do you get approved instantly for Global Entry and TSA Pre-Check?

This part was kind of weird. I noticed that for some people, they were told, “Congratulations! You’ve been approved!” and others were simply told to await an email for notification of their approval. The folks who were immediately approved were both young and old, so I’m not sure what determines that.

I had to wait to get an email which I got about 5 minutes after my interview telling me to check my account and when I checked it, it stated that I was approved and both TSA Pre-Check and Global Entry were ready to be used.

I finally had a Known Traveler Number!

I think I got a little lucky being able to knock out Global Entry in about 10 days from the date of applying, as I’ve seen the process take a couple of months for others. However, you can probably get “lucky” too if you just keep refreshing that interview page a couple of times a day and hope that openings show up like they did for me. Good Luck!

Related: Global Entry Renewal Guide

Daniel Gillaspia

TSA Pre-Check Adds 7 More Airlines to Program

TSA Pre-Check is becoming an increasingly popular program that offers you expedited entry through security at over 180 airports. With TSA Pre-Check, you don’t have to take off your shoes, belts, or light jackets and you get to keep your laptop and liquids inside your bag when going through security. You also get access to a priority line that typically much shorter than the standard security line (although that’s not always the case). It all might not sound like much, but it often makes the process of getting through the airport much less stressful.

You can read more about the TSA Pre-Check program here.

New airlines added

Since its inception in 2011, TSA Pre-Check has been growing steadily over the years, constantly expanding its network to more airports and more airlines. Well, now TSA Pre-Check now has 7 new members to the family, making a total of 37 participants. The entire list of airlines is listed below with the new airlines bolded:

Aeromexico
Air Canada
Alaska Airlines
Allegiant Air
American Airlines
Aruba Airlines
Avianca
Boutique Airlines
Cape Air
Copa Airlines
Delta Air Lines
Dominican Wings
Emirates
Etihad Airways
Frontier Airlines
Hawaiian Airlines
InterCaribbean Airways
JetBlue Airways
Key Lime Air
Lufthansa
Miami Air International
OneJet
Seaborne Airlines
Silver Airways
Singapore Airlines
Southern Airways Express
Southwest Airlines
Spirit Airlines
Sun Country Airlines
Sunwing Airlines
Swift Air
Turkish Airlines
United Airlines
Virgin America
Virgin Atlantic
WestJet
Xtra Airways

This is great news because it’s such a drag when you’re headed out on an amazing airline like Singapore Airlines but forced to wait through the standard security line because TSA Pre-Check didn’t apply. Luckily, more and more airlines are getting on board for the program and this is becoming less of an issue.

Alternative options to beat the lines

While TSA Pre-Check is great, I recommend most people to apply for Global Entry. That program will offer you expedited access through immigration and customs and it also comes with TSA Pre-Check. Global Entry costs $100 for five years but many credit cards offer credits that cover this fee, such as the Chase Sapphire Reserve. If you buy TSA Pre-Check by itself, it will cost you $75 so that’s why many feel that Global Entry is the better deal, or if you transit through Canada a lot, NEXUS might be the better bargain.

If you still don’t want to spend any money to avoid lines and you’re going to be doing some international travel, then I suggest you look into enrolling into Mobile Passport since it’s free and will expedite you through immigration at many airports.

A more pricey option is to look into CLEAR which is a private program that allows you to skip the line whether you’re in the standard security line or TSA Pre-Check. But it costs $179/per year so it’s by far the most expensive program and I don’t recommend it unless you’re constantly traveling through airports during busy hours.

Overall, it’s great to see TSA Pre-Check expanding to these airlines, especially powerhouses like Singapore Airlines and even Turkish and Copa.

H/T: Running with Miles

Daniel Gillaspia

What is Global Entry?

Global Entry is a program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. This means that you won’t have to wait in the usually long immigration line when entering the United States. In addition, many airports also have a Global Entry line for customs, so you don’t have to wait to have your baggage inspected.

How does it work?

At certain airports (I don’t think that list is updated),you go up to the Global Entry kiosks, scan your passport or U.S. permanent resident card, go through fingerprint verification, complete a short customs declaration, and then receive a receipt that directs you to baggage claim and the exit. Sometimes this process will only take you about 2 minutes and you can make it back to your home while others from your flight are still stuck in line.

What type of citizens are eligible?

U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents and citizens of a few other countries are eligible for Global Entry membership. Global Entry is also available to:

Citizens of United Kingdom
Citizens of Germany
Citizens of the Netherlands
Citizens of Panama
Citizens of South Korea
Mexican nationals

How do you apply?

Applying is pretty simple. You fill out the application online (see my application guide here), schedule and attend an interview (read about my interview experience here) and then get approved. The entire process can take only a couple of weeks if you’re a bit lucky but it can also take up to a couple of months depending on where you live. The determining factor for your waiting time is how soon you can schedule your interview.

How much does it cost?

The application for Global Entry costs $100 and it is good for five years!

You can use credit cards like the Platinum Card from American Express or the Citi Prestige to cover this costs as they provide you with statement credit for Global Entry. If you are not approved for Global Entry, you do not get your money back.

Can I get approved with a criminal background?

For the most part you need a clean criminal background to get approved. This typically means even misdemeanors. There are some reports of other getting approved despite having minor charges on their record (usually from quite some time ago), but there are many more reports of other being denied for misdemeanors.

Here’s the list of disqualifying criteria listed by Global Entry:

Provide false or incomplete information on the application;
Have been convicted of any criminal offense or have pending criminal charges, including outstanding warrants;
Have been found in violation of any customs, immigration or agriculture regulations or laws in any country;
Are subjects of an investigation by any federal, state or local law enforcement agency;
Are inadmissible to the U.S. under immigration regulation, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation; or if they
Cannot satisfy CBP of their low-risk status or meet other program requirements.

Does it include TSA Pre Check?

Yes. Upon being approved, you’ll be issued a Known Traveller Number, which you will use for TSA Pre Check. This is why I recommend most people to apply for Global Entry over TSA Pre-Check since it only costs $15 more but you obtain the additional benefit of flying through immigration and customs.

Daniel Gillaspia

Guide to Applying for Global Entry

Global Entry is life-saver when you’re coming back into the U.S. after international trips and you stumble upon a ridiculously long customs line. Global entry not only offers you way for you to zip through customs when coming back into the United States, but it also provides you with TSA Pre-Check so you can zip through TSA security when departing on both domestic and international flights. Here’s a guide on what you need to know to apply for Global Entry.

Set up a GOES account

The first thing you need to do is to sign-up for a GOES account. Here’s the website for GOES (which stands for Global Online Enrollment System). You’ll use a GOES account to process your application for Global Entry and it can be used for other related programs, such as NEXUS.

Setting up a GOES account is very easy and should only take you a minute or two to complete.

The first thing it will ask you is if you have ever applied for Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, U.S. / Mexico FAST, U.S. / Canada FAST. Make sure you don’t forget to include this information if you have applied before because it can really screw up your application and perhaps prolong the application process.

On the next couple of screens you’ll input all of your necessary contact information and set up your password and security questions. It’s all straight-forward and shouldn’t be a problem.

Once your GOES log-in account is created, you will log back in and then be taken to the screen below. You will then click “Apply for a Trusted Traveler Program.”

You’ll be asked if you’ve ever applied for any of the programs and assuming you hit no, you’ll begin the application. They will ask you a couple of quick questions like how you heard about the program, your citizenship, and then they will provide you with options for your application based on what you submitted. Be sure to select Global Entry assuming that pops up for you.

The next screen will provide you with all of the enrollment centers in your state. You should take note of the enrollment centers near you for your future reference so that you can more easily schedule your interview when it is time and perhaps call in to inquire about their walk-in policies. If you live by a major city, you shouldn’t have to go far for an interview but if you live outside of most major cities, you may have to travel a couple of hours to get to the nearest available enrollment center.

On that same screen, scroll all the way down to the bottom to confirm your intent to enroll in Global Entry.

Begin the official Global Entry Application

Once you hit that button, you will officially begin the Global entry application. You can see all the different steps you’ll have to fill out below:

You should breeze through the first options but be sure you put down the correct information for your “Citizenship Information.” This is how you will prove that you’re a U.S. citizen.

For most people, I recommend choosing to use a passport because it’s the same document that will be required for your “admissibility documents.” Keep in mind that whatever documents you include in your application, you’ll have to bring to your interview.

I recommend choosing to use a passport for your “Citizenship Information.”

Next you’ll have to provide your “admissibility documents.” There’s only one selection that appears and it’s for your passport so enter in that information to advance to the next screen.

Next, you’ll put in some pretty straight-forward information like your primary residence, diver’s license, and current address, all easy stuff.

Employment and address history

Then, comes the most potentially time-consuming portion of the application.

If you’re like me and have lived in tons of different places in recent history and had quite a few jobs/internships, you’re going to have a lot to fill in. If you haven’t rounded up all this information before, it would be a good idea to make a list of all of the places you have lived and worked for the past 5 years.

Travel history

Next, you have to put all countries you’ve travelled to in the past 5 years other than the United States, Canada, and Mexico.

I actually forgot to mention a country when I filled out this portion of my application but was able to update the information at my interview. So if you happen to slip up and forget about a country, just try to bring it up at your interview. I doubt it will be an issue unless you tell them something like you “accidentally” forgot about your monthly runs to Iraq and Syria.

Additional Information

Finally, a very important section comes up: criminal history. Make sure you answer this question honestly and hopefully your answer to these questions will be no.

It’s been stated by officials of United States Customs and Border Protection that “any type of criminal conviction would disqualify someone” for Global Entry. Some people have had luck with being approved with expunged misdemeanors from their days as a minor but those seem to be in the minority. The reality is that in the majority of cases, if you have had any type of misdemeanor and definitely a felony in the past 10 years (and maybe even longer) you will probably be denied.

If you are denied for such a reason, you can write an official appeal letter but the general consensus with an appeal is that you have a slim to none chance of getting a decision overturned.

And remember, there’s no refund for the $100 application fee if you are denied.

After one more question you’ll be at the end of the application and just need to perform the “final review.” Take a close look at your answers to make sure everything is accurate and then you’re ready to submit your application.

Pay the $100 fee

When you submit your application you will be prompted to pay your $100 fee.

There are many credit cards that provide you with a $100 statement credit that can be used toward Global Entry, such as the Platinum Card from American Express, the Ritz-Carlton Card, and the Citi Prestige, just to name a few. With cards like the Platinum Card, you simply pay for the application with your card and await the statement credit with no further action necessary.

Going to “review”

After you pay the fee, your application needs to be “reviewed.” It varies with how long it might take for your application to be reviewed. Most of the time it seems to take one week, but it could be just a couple of days or maybe even a couple of weeks. Just be on the look out for an email from GOES during this time and/or log-in to your GOES account to check your account status.

Conditional approval letter

If you pass this review, you’ll receive an email to log-in to your GOES account for an update on your application. You’ll then see that you’ve been conditionally approved!

The letter from Global Entry will state:

We are pleased to inform you that your U. S. Customs and Border Protection, Global Entry membership application has been processed and you are now invited to visit an enrollment center to complete the enrollment process.

In order to finalize your Global Entry enrollment, you must schedule your Global Entry Interview within 30 days of the date of this letter. You do not have to complete the interview within 30 days….

It will also tell you to bring the following original documents with you to the enrollment center:

A valid passport. If you travel using more than one passport, please bring them to the interview so that the information can be added to your file.
A permanent resident card (if applicable);
Documents providing evidence of residency. Examples are: driver’s license (if the address is current), mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.

Personally, I just brought a driver’s license (because my address was current) and passport to make it easy but bring whatever qualifies and makes you comfortable.

Although it doesn’t tell you in the conditional approval letter, you need to bring a copy of the conditional approval letter itself to the interview with you!

Once you schedule your interview, you should get an email reminding you to bring this document, but go ahead and print it out as soon as you can and try to remember to bring it. (I’ve heard of some agents getting really irritated when applicants forget to bring the letter to the interview.)

Another thing, the Global Entry membership number in your conditional approval letter will be your official Known Traveler Number in the future if you get approved, so it’s also a good idea to go ahead and take down the information. (This will be the number you insert into all of your frequent flyer accounts online so that you’ll be granted TSA Pre-Check.)

The interview process

So once you’re conditionally approved you can finally schedule your interview. Remember, you must schedule the interview within 30 days — not actually attend it within 30 days.

July 9, 2017 update: You can take care of your interview returning to the US at select airport locations.

The availability for interviews varies across the country. I got in within about a week but others have been forced to wait months.

If you are facing a long wait time but you want to get in earlier just try to log-in continuously to schedule an interview since cancellations happen all the time. You could also do some research to see if any of the facilities near you allow walk-ins. Many will probably state that their official policy is no walk-ins but (although I don’t encourage it) you can always take a chance and just show up if you really want to. People did this at IAH and were able to get in even on a busy day.

During my interview they asked me very basic questions and the entire process only took a few minutes. They asked me questions like:

“What’s your occupation?”
“Do you travel for business or pleasure?”
“Do you travel with a family?”

After just a few questions, they took my photograph and fingerprints and I was done.

Some facilities will require you to watch a short video on Global Entry but that was not the case for me. If you want to read more about my Global Entry interview experience in Houston click here.

Approval

Some applicants will be be approved right at the conclusion of their interview but others will have to wait to receive an email regarding their approval. My email came about 5 minutes after my interview but it could take longer for others.

Once you’re approved you are free to use your Known Traveler Number for all itineraries and it’s good for five years! If you’ve already made a booking you may have to call in to certain airlines to get it added to your itinerary (looking at you Southwest Airlines).

A few weeks after you’re approved, you should receive your ID card in the mail. It’s an official government ID so it can be used for a lot of things in place of your diver’s license but you don’t need it to use Global Entry in the airports. As far as I know, the only time it would be requires is at certain land crossings at the border of the U.S. and Mexico or Canada.

Daniel Gillaspia

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What is a Known Traveler Number?

Why do you want a Known Traveler Number?

How do you get a Known Traveler Number?

TSA Pre-Check

Global Entry

NEXUS

SENTRI

Other related travel programs

CLEAR

Mobile Passport

Adding a Known Traveler Number

American Airlines

Southwest

United

Delta

JetBlue

Hawaiian Airlines

Travel portals and OTAs

Add Known Traveler Number after booking?

Where can I look up and find my Known Traveler Number?

What is a redress number?

Known Traveler Number for Military members

TSA Pre-Check vs Global Entry

Known Traveler Number FAQ

Final word

Global Entry Interview: What to Bring

Want to avoid Global Entry fees?

Conditional letter of approval

Proving residency

Non-citizens

Documents for changes needed

Criminal records

Enrollment on arrival interviews

What to bring to a Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) interview?

What is the Global Entry interview like?

What to wear

Renewing Global Entry Interview: what to bring

Minors in a Global Entry Interview

Global Entry Interview FAQ

Final word

What is Global Entry?

What are the Global Entry benefits?

Expedited entry through immigration and customs at airports

Expedited entry at other ports of entry including cruise terminals

Expedited entry in select other countries

TSA Pre-Check

Government-issued ID

How much does Global Entry cost?

How does Global Entry work?

Who is eligible for Global Entry?

Citizens eligible for Global Entry

Background check eligibility for Global Entry

Criminal history

Customs and immigration violations

Ongoing investigations

Not allowed in the US

Cannot satisfy CBP of your low-risk status

Age requirements

How do you sign up for Global Entry?

Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account

Complete the online application and pay the $100 fee

Get conditionally approved

Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center

Get approved!

How do you complete an interview for Global Entry?

Scheduling an interview

Doing a Global Entry walk-in interview

Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival (EOA)

What is the Global Entry interview like?

What do I need to bring to a Global Entry interview?

Conditional letter of approval

Valid passport or permanent resident card

Proof of residency

ACRO Disclosure Certificate

Court disposition papers

How do you renew Global Entry?

Is Global Entry worth it?

Global Entry benefits in other countries

Australia

Germany