Global Entry Question - No appointments available (airline, airports, passport)

[hertfordshire]

I received my conditional approval for Global Entry, and want to schedule my appointment. All the locations I've checked say "no appointments available".

Has anyone had any luck with a walk-in appointment? I don't have a location anywhere nearby, so I would have to drive 3-6 hours (one way) to get to a location. I would hate to make that kind of a drive and not be able to get my interview taken care of.

[StealthRabbit]

1) Get a Nexus instead of GE (Canadian issued, appts available in USA; 1/2 the price of GE, same benefit) https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-t...lment-centers#
2) Consider doing a GE appointment while on a scheduled trip. (Our 'home airport' had a 4 month wait for appointments, one of our 'destinations' scheduled 'next day')

[AksarbeN]

I’ve had Global Entry now for several years and it’s wonderful to avoid some of the hassle when returning to the states. It took just a week for my interview and picture to be taken in the appointment; I don’t think they’ll see anyone without having setup a time for the interview first. You have to schedule one.

[projectmaximus]

There are some designated walk-in locations. If you are traveling internationally you can also walk-in at your gateway airport when you return to the US. I realize these are not great options. Also try calling the location you plan to drive to, they may be more helpful to you if you speak directly to them. My most recent experience was with my son earlier this year, and we showed up about 20 min early to his appt. There was literally nobody else so they just took us in right away for interview...entire process (he was 8 or 9 months old) took 5 minutes.

Lastly, keep checking back. It is quite common for space to open up as people cancel/reschedule.

[hertfordshire]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

1) Get a Nexus instead of GE (Canadian issued, appts available in USA; 1/2 the price of GE, same benefit) https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-t...lment-centers#
2) Consider doing a GE appointment while on a scheduled trip. (Our 'home airport' had a 4 month wait for appointments, one of our 'destinations' scheduled 'next day')

The application fee for GE or Pre is covered by my credit card (I already have Pre). Nexus isn't covered.

I checked my scheduled trips. Those airports don't have availability either.

I have a trip to Northern Virginia next month for a few days, so I can go to Dulles for a 'walk-in' appointment. That may be my only option.

[GeoffD]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

1) Get a Nexus instead of GE (Canadian issued, appts available in USA; 1/2 the price of GE, same benefit) https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-t...lment-centers#
2) Consider doing a GE appointment while on a scheduled trip. (Our 'home airport' had a 4 month wait for appointments, one of our 'destinations' scheduled 'next day')

I'd have to drive 2 hours from my Vermont ski place to the Canadian border to get NEXUS and it's only open Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Derby VT and way downeast Maine in Jonesport are the only places in New England. My sister and brother-in-law have it but they live in Vancouver where it's a trivial trip to the airport.


I'm 20 minutes from an airport that does Global Entry/GOES interviews. When my TSA Pre gets close to expiring, I may do that instead. It's kind of not worth it so I may just stick with TSA Pre. With kiosks at passport control, I never have much of a US Citizen passport control line at the airport. They just glance at the slip of paper and say "welcome home". When it was paper landing cards, it could be a much bigger queue. NEXUS would be far more useful since I drive across the Canadian border quite a bit and the queue can be 15+ minutes.

[StealthRabbit]

Also. Consider your travel schedules and airport TSA pre hours and staff. ~50% of my flights TSA pre is not open. (early morning or late night). Yesterday, Pre had huge line. STD TSA, no line. Not uncommon either. My shoes have to come off... Pre or not. Only advantage is computer stays in the bag, and avoid body scan machine 3-4x/ week.

[hertfordshire]

Originally Posted by StealthRabbit

Also. Consider your travel schedules and airport TSA pre hours and staff. ~50% of my flights TSA pre is not open. (early morning or late night). Yesterday, Pre had huge line. STD TSA, no line. Not uncommon either. My shoes have to come off... Pre or not. Only advantage is computer stays in the bag, and avoid body scan machine 3-4x/ week.

I'm a frequent traveler and never really have a problem with Pre. Definitely an advantage, IMO. Especially at my home airport.

But this is about GE, not Pre.

[46H]

https://www.usatoday.com/story/trave...ck/2094610001/
From the article:

"The cited reasons on the website for the backlog: the 35-day government shutdown that ended in late January and the "ongoing humanitarian and security crisis on our southern border.''"


The interview took about 5-10 minutes.

[shellymdnv]

Originally Posted by hertfordshire

The application fee for GE or Pre is covered by my credit card (I already have Pre). Nexus isn't covered.

I checked my scheduled trips. Those airports don't have availability either.

I have a trip to Northern Virginia next month for a few days, so I can go to Dulles for a 'walk-in' appointment. That may be my only option.

If you are going to be in DC there is an office in the Reagan Building downtown that may have more options available.

If you have been conditionally approved you can start using your ID number from the letter as your KTN so that you can start using the TSA Precheck portion of the benefit. Also if you have an international trip coming up relatively soon, you may want to check to see if the airport that you will be flying into offers an Interview on Arrival.