Will I Need To Travel to Complete My Global Entry Interview?

Will I Need To Travel to Complete My Global Entry Interview?

I know delays for getting a Global Entry appointment are nothing new.  You’ve probably seen them on Boarding Area already.  But I’m going through the issue of finding an appointment since I applied for renewal last month, so I thought I’d write about my options here.  Global Entry is a great way to speed through customs and immigration upon arrival back to the U.S.  Of course, being a member of the program doesn’t necessarily protect you from the abuses of CBP.

CBP Suspends Appointments

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) suspended Trusted Traveler Enrollment Centers on March 18, 2020 until at least May 1, 2020.  Enrollment centers are for Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS, and FAST.

CBP suspended the centers due to the coronavirus pandemic.  It remains to be seen if CBP will actually be able to open again May 1st.

I don’t think my ability to find an appointment is in relation to the suspension of appointments.  Many of the airports around the country have available appointments, and people complained about a lack of appointments far before the COVID-19 closure.  Getting my Global Entry Appointment

Of course, the place where there are no appointments is right here in Washington, D.C., where I live.  I have been checking every day for the past three weeks and have had no luck.  There are no appointments at Dulles, the Reagan Building in downtown Washington, D.C, or the Linthicum enrollment center near Baltimore.

This leaves me with two options:

• Schedule an appointment while traveling: I can plan a trip in conjunction with available appointments.  There is availability for when I will be in Orlando in July (pending any COVID-19 cancellations). Of course, we go to Miami to visit family, too, and they seem to have appointments starting in May.
• Enrollment on Arrival: This is another option, but might be less feasible at this time because international travel is sparse with everything going on.  It’s unknown when regular international travel will resume, but this remains an option.  CBP allows you to complete your interview upon arrival from an international destination if you have been conditionally approved. When you present yourself for entry, you can request to complete your interview.  Make sure to have the required documents needed for the interview, which includes proof of residency (license, lease, etc.).

Of course, there is no rush, so to speak.  CBP has given people an extension from the 6 month grace period to 12 months, which is very helpful.  That being said, I’m the kind of person that likes to get things finalized so I no longer have to worry about them.

By the way, I used my Barclays Silver Aviator credit for $100 last month, which covered the cost of the Global Entry.  It’s nice to get that benefit, which is included on other cards as well.