We have had a few readers ask us how long does it take to get Global Entry because they applied months ago and have still not been conditionally approved. While the answer varies from person to person, it is clear that the average Global Entry processing time has drastically increased in the last two years. We both previously applied to renew our Global Entry so we are sharing our personal experience with the Global Entry processing time as well.
How Long Does It Take To Get Global Entry?
If you are applying for Global Entry, the timing of how long it takes to be approved for Global Entry depends on how long it takes for each of the 2 steps:
1) For U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) to review your application and conditionally approve you; AND
2) How soon you can complete an interview after you are conditionally approved. (If you are applying for Global Entry for the first time you are required to complete an in-person interview. However if you are applying to renew your Global Entry you might be approved instead of conditionally approved and not have to complete an interview.)
The focus of this post is on Step #1: the Global Entry conditional approval time. While you can somewhat control the timing for scheduling an interview, you can’t change how long it takes to be conditionally approved. See related post Scheduling Your Global Entry Interview Faster on how to schedule your Global Entry interview ASAP even if there are no appointments at your closest Global Entry enrollment center.
How Long Does Global Entry Conditional Approval Take?
According to this CBP page updated December 15, 2020, processing times vary by applicant but on average it can take within 6 months to be conditionally approved for Global Entry. Many people have been waiting much longer than 6 months.
The average wait time for conditional approval has significantly increased since late 2018. Before the 2018–2019 United States federal government shutdown, the average wait time was listed as 3 to 5 weeks. After the government shutdown ended in January 2019, the wait time increased to 11 weeks, increased again to 100 days in the summer 2019 and then to 3-5 months in the fall of 2019. COVID-19 further increased the delays in the processing time.
Our Personal Experience With the Global Entry Processing Time
I applied to renew my Global Entry on 12/18/2018 and was approved on 12/23/2018 (just 5 days later). My sister applied to renew her Global Entry on 01/28/2019 (the Monday when employees went back to work after the US government shutdown ended) and was approved on 04/07/2019 (almost 10 weeks later).
By comparison when we originally applied for Global Entry for the first time (we both applied on the same day) it took about 2-3 weeks for my application to be conditionally approved but my sister’s application took only about 1 week.
Other Data Points
According to online forums, the amount of time it is taking to be conditionally approved for Global Entry really does vary from person to person. There are spouses that apply for Global Entry the same day and one is conditionally approved in days while the other ends up waiting for weeks or months.
After reading other data points, it seems like Global Entry processing wait time is random and it is NOT a first in, first out process. There are people that applied after the government shutdown ended that were conditionally approved within days while some people that applied before or during the shutdown waited for weeks or months to be conditionally approved. Obviously it takes longer to complete some people’s background checks, but I think the timing mostly depends on which office your application is sent to and the speed of the employee assigned to review your application.
If you want to get an idea about how long the current Global Entry processing time is for other Global Entry applicants, see this thread on flyertalk for first time Global Entry applicants and this thread for Global Entry renewals.
Can You Expedite the Global Entry Approval Process?
Unfortunately, there is nothing you can do to speed up the Global Entry approval process until you are over what the CBP considers the average wait time. Readers that have called the CBP have been told to wait until a certain number of days until they can escalate their application. CBP has been telling applicants they need to wait until 6 months until their Global Entry application can be expedited.
Please note that if you are applying to renew Global Entry, make sure to apply before your Global Entry expires. The CBP is giving applicants a 18 month grace period as long as you apply before the expiration date. This way you will not be left without Global Entry while your renewal application is pending.
Unfortunately, it can take months to be approved for Global Entry and the wait time keeps getting longer and longer. For anyone that has recently applied for Global Entry how long did it take to be conditionally approved (or approved if renewing)?
It took 3 weeks to get conditional approved 3/4/19.My interview is for 4/16/19. Also I would like to know if Global Entry is good for travel to the U.K.
No it is not.UK has removed Registered Traveller for US citizens.They may be able to use ePassport gates but not Registered Traveller facility any more.
Is this a new? The global entry website said UK is one of the countries you can use your Global Entry at and my manager from London recently told me it’s a good there too.
They no longer allow US citizens for UK entry.Rules have changed from past.US Citizens though can use e Passport line for UK entry. https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/international-arrangements#
Might as well standardize this chain…
Type: GE Renewal (Lapsed)
Date Fee Was Paid: 8/19/19
Waiting Time: 10 weeks
Round Trip Flights Since Fee: 2
Morale: Resistant to Optimism
Good luck, my friends!
I have been waiting since July 27, 2019…today is February 18, 2020
I have been waiting since August 2, 2019….Today is March 1, 2020!
I submitted my Global Entry renewal in June 11, 2019 at it is still pending. I called CBP today, December 12, 2019 because I have been waiting for 6 months now.
CBP told me that it can take up to a Year for a renewal!! My fault for not submitting the renewal before it expired. But now the wait time has gone up to one year!
I applied on the evening of Monday, June 7,2021 and had been approved overnight when I woke up on Wednesday, June 9. I scheduled and completed my interview in San Diego on Thursday June 10 and was told to expect my card in 2 weeks! My old roommate reapplied in San Diego in February 2021 and hasn’t heard anything yet. Seems like I was one of the lucky ones.
I recently renewed (after the government shutdown ended) and was approved in less than a week. Not much changed on my application but I had traveled to quite a few countries (EU and APAC). The process, for me, was surprisingly quick and easy. I wasn’t expecting almost instant approval, especially with the backlog.
Atlanta resident and currently hold TSA PreCheck KTN set to expire later this year. Applied for Global Entry on 2/21/19 and received conditional approval on 3/1/19. I was able to schedule an interview on the morning of 3/4/19 and was moved to full “approved” status by the end of the day. Good luck!
I applied 2/15/19 for renewal. Unfortunately I let my card expire! As of today it is still pending renewal. You can renew anytime within a year of expiration. Don’t make the mistake I did! I have 3 international trips coming up and fly almost every week. Hope it gets renewed soon! No precheck sucks!
I applied Feb. 15, 2019 and am still waiting for conditional approval on April 8, 2019.
Still waiting April 22nd.
Approved May 6th, finally!
Applied Apr 21 and still waiting for the CBP review!!
I applied 23rd April. Still waiting for conditional approval
I applied in NYC on April 26, 2019. Today is July 31st, 2019, and I am still waiting. Getting quite frustrated with the wait, to be honest. It has been officially more than 100 days now.
I submitted my application on May 8, 2019. It has been almost 16 weeks and I’m still waiting. My husband goofed around and submitted his a week after mine….he has already been conditionally approved, had an interview, gotten his card, and used it!!! Totally ridiculous!!
I applied at the end of July 2019. It is now November 1 and my application is still listed as Pending Review. During this time I have travelled to the US several times…sigh…
Applied beginning of July 2019 nothing yet, even thought I once had a Air Side badge at DCA post 9/11 and that was though.
Submitted my application in February 2020. My husband was approved the next day however he has his TWIC card for work so that may have helped him. It’s January 22, 2021 and I am still waiting on conditional approval. So frustrating.
I applied 5/31/19 and still have not heard back yet 🙁
I applied on June 10, 2019, and am still waiting! If you hear, can you post, so I can possibly anticipate getting mine a week or two after yours?
I applied June 3…. stilling waiting and have a flight at the end of the month which is why I did this
Same thing here. Approval still pending review when i checked it. it’s been 4 months now.
I applied on 5/31/2019 also…my application status still shows “Pending Review” as of 10/31/2019. I have sent 3 emails within last few weeks, periodically inquiring. I just get the standard response that there are delays due to the government shutdown, etc. BUT, there is such variability between applicants, with some people receiving conditional approval within 5 days, and they just applied in October 2019…I just don’t understand this…
I did my application on 02/17/2022 and it’s still processing. It’s almost 2months of waiting .
What the heck? I applied Jan 21, 2019, and am still waiting for conditional approval, my application is ‘still pending’ after 8 weeks! and others are getting approval in a week or two?
I’m right there with you… applied 1/19 still pending….
My neighbor applied for renewal about when you did. He just got his with no interview required. I’m still waiting though…
I wonder if renewals take longer than new applicants, and if your expiration date affects when you get conditional approval. My partner applied about 10 months before his Global Entry is set to expire, and he’s still waiting on conditional approval 2 months later. I just renewed mine 9 months in advance.
You get 6 months of user after expiration
Applied on 2/21, still not conditionally approved. Have raised a query with CBP
Did you get a reply ?
I applied February 3, still pending.
I also applied for renewal on 2/21/2019. As of 4/25/2019 (9 weeks later) no sign of any movement towards conditional approval. Maybe my expectations are too low, but I have a feeling that “raising a query” with them would only cause further delay (as punishment). Good luck with that. My next international trip is in June (10 weeks from now) and I’m starting to doubt that it will be fixed by then.
How did you raise a query?
You can do it here, for example:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/home
I reached out twice asking why it’s taking so long, so who knows, maybe they ARE punishing me for that with a long wait, though that would be very wrong of them.
I applied on February 1. My application is still pending review. I also hold a security clearance where a complete background check & fingerprints are in the federal database- not sure what the hold up is.
My husband and I both applied for Global Entry on February 6. I was conditionally approved within five days, but as of today (April 11, nine weeks later) my husband is still pending review. I called CBP and the automated message says processing times are 3-5 weeks. When I finally spoke to a live person after calling several times, the representative said processing times are currently 11 weeks 🙁
The CBP just updated their website to say the average processing time is now 11 weeks. Before that they average processing time was listed as 3-5 weeks.
We have updated this post to reflect two new developments:
1) I was finally approved for my Global Entry renewal (I applied 01/28/2019 and was approved on 04/07/2019 almost 10 weeks later) and
2) CBP updated their website to state the new average processing time is 11 weeks (up from 3-5 weeks pre-government shutdown).
My college age daughter applied March 24th, was approved April 4th, interview in Salt Lake City is scheduled for July 17th.
I applied 2/15/2019, as of today 4/25/2019 I am still “Pending Review”..
Either I have the slowest processor ever or the shutdown really screwed things up.
Update… they must have read my post! LOL
I checked this morning and I had my conditional approval and got an interview date in the same week! so final conclusion is applied 2/15/2019 and conditionally approved 4-29-2019, so roughly 12 weeks.
I applied for my mom and dad’s global entry March 9th and for my kids on March 12, now 11 weeks later and no conditional approval yet. Except for my dad who was conditionally approved within a week and interviewed a week after.
I emailed them to inquire on application status on all three pending and no response. I hope this doesn’t affect any more delays as we have travel plans in June.
I applied for global entry on March 24, 2019. Still waiting on conditional approval as of June 19, 2019.
I emailed them May 20, 2019..go figure no response.
Update..after 91 days, I have been conditional approved for global entry 6-24-19. My interview is scheduled for 7-22-19.
Make sure to check the ttp website everyday for any cancellations for earlier interviews. My original interview was scheduled for 7-22-19. I found an earlier date for today 6-27-19 11:00am. I got approved.
Wife and I applied on March 26th. Her conditional in a few weeks mine took about 91 days. Next interviews available are mid September which is after the trip we wanted this for.
Update for me, too! I also applied 2/15/19 and just got my conditional approval today, 4/29/19. Have my interview in 2 days. So should be approved on 5/1/19.
This may be different but I applied for the Sentri Pass over 8 months ago (August 26, 2018) and have not heard back yet. My wife applied at same time and was approved to go to interview within several days, maybe because she is from Mexico originally? Very frustrating!
It does take longer to be approved for SENTRI (according to the CBP it is currently taking 3-5 months on average) but 8 months is really long. Have you logged into your TTP account too see if your application is still pending?
Yes I have logged in to check. I sent an email inquiry a week or so ago and just got a generic response today! Here’s what they said:
“Please note that processing times vary by applicant, but on average you can expect your application to be processed:
• Global Entry/FAST: up to 11 weeks
• NEXUS: 3-5 months
• SENTRI: up to 8 months”
So I guess they are behind? In 7 more days it will be 9 months waiting and I refuse to go to Tijuana without a Sentri “fast pass” Last crossing the government website said one hour wait at San Ysidro but it took us 3 hours!
I applied for new enrollment on 2/25/19 and received conditional approval 3 weeks later. My husband applied about a week after me and is still awaiting conditional approval.
Applied 3/18 and am still waiting on 5/8. That’s only 7 weeks (only). Hoping that I hear something soon because I thought I left enough time cushion for my trip mid-June. It may come down to a photo finish, if at all. I’m slightly envious of the college girl from SLC above who applied after me and has already had her interview. I’m in the DC area, so they may be dealing with higher volume than other regional offices.
I received the enrollment on arrival email earlier this week similar to the others here, and it looked like a generic email. But I logged in today to check my status and I have conditional approval. Finally! After 94 days. We leave tomorrow, so I guess we’ll do the enrollment on arrival at IAD when we get back. I received no other email regarding my status change, so keep logging in to check your status and don’t wait for an email that may never come.
4/2 Application Date, 5/09 nothing yet. I was hoping a month would have sufficed. Reading 11 weeks and up is sooo disappointing. Luck to us all!
Both my husband and I have global entry and we just applied for our 10 month old baby. Took about 1 week to get conditionally approved but there isn’t much to do for a background check since he is only 10 months old… Applied May 1, conditionally approved may 9
Submitted Global Entry application on 3/10/19 & at the same time submitted an application for my son. My son’s application was preliminarily approved in late March (less than 3 weeks), yet I am still waiting for conditional approval (it’s been 9 weeks as of yesterday). Are there situations where the application process takes LONGER than the quoted 11 weeks? We have a mid-June trip and (based on the quoted 11 weeks) my March 10 application date should have given ample time to get approved and then interviewed, but I’m getting a bit nervous.
Update – Received Conditional Approval earlier today … so 11 weeks and 2 days from submitting application.
Update2: I received Conditional Approval May 29, 2019 and attended interview on June 7, 2019 with my son. His application was approved within a matter of hours, while mine still shows “Conditional Approval” and the box/bubble on the TTP portal/website “have interview, and wait for approval” is not even checked. (Also, there is nothing in my history that might create an issue.) Anyone else have an experience like this? I’m wondering if I need to schedule another interview to discuss this with an agent as I’ve been unable to determine any way to communicate with DHS about this to either get clarity on the delay OR make sure that my application and interview have been properly registered in their system. We have international travel plans in 10 days.
Hi Ryan, I don’t think you need to schedule another interview – it is probably a glitch. You can email the CBP using this link: https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask. For topic choose “Trusted Traveler Programs” then “completed my interview but” then “interview scheduled still shows on TTP dashboard” and describe your issue. You can also try calling your Global Entry enrollment center (you can find phone numbers here https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-centers).
Thanks, I appreciate your response … Unfortunately, I have not received a response to the email I sent (through the CBP website) on this issue earlier this week & I have already left multiple messages at the enrollment center where my interview was conducted.
Update #3 – What a total joke this process is. Applied 3/10/19. Conditionally approved on 5/29/19 (11 weeks, 2 days). Sat for interview 6/7/19 and as of today the TTP Dashboard STILL indicates that I have not sat for my interview (multiple phone calls and emails have gone unanswered except for generic/auto responses). Leaving for Europe today (15 weeks and 4 days after applying) and only Conditionally Approved. Seems like a waste of money.
Yes…. the same one spouse conditionally approval and one spouse conditional approval wait has happened to us. We applied to Global Entry within 30 minutes of each other on March 26th . My wife was approved in 3 weeks and as of today May 13th I am still waiting for conditional approval. So if its 11 weeks I have 4 weeks to go. Will just wait patiently.
Good luck to all.
Update: I applied 10 weeks & 3 days ago … and still no response/update on my application. While I’m happy for PeterC (below) that he got his conditional approval within 10 days of applying, this disparity in wait times seems pretty ridiculous.
I have waited for 13 weeks 5 days. and still no conditional approval.
Applied on 2/25, received conditional approval on 5/8 (already Pre-check that is expiring in July). Appointment setup in Atlanta for early July.
My Wife and I applied March 17th. She had approval around 4 weeks later. She had the interview in Boston Last Monday the 13th and is all set. She is born and raised American. I am born in Mexico, British Citizen. I have a green card. I am still pending 9 weeks later.
Finally got approval sometime last week. so 13 weeks. Sadly now there are no interview appointments in much of the southern New England options until SEPTEMBER! So driving 4.5 hours north to Vermont/Canada boarder to finish this thing!
I just got my conditional approval, after only 10 days (May 2019). I was able to schedule interview at JFK for next day, but would have to wait a month to get interview in Manhattan.
I am renewing my Global entry. I submitted my claim the end of feb 2019. It has been 12 weeks and still it is pending. I am not very happy.
I applied Feb 25, 2019 and 12 weeks, 3 days later, still not conditionally approved. I submitted an application for my wife and was conditionally approved a week later and got an interview the week after. My children got approved on May 9th then interview on may 14th in LAS (McCarran Intl Airport). I’m really frustrated at this time as I have a trip to Vancouver in a few days. The one reviewing my application must be a slug.
My husband and I applied for Global Entry on 4/2 within 15 minutes of each other. He was approved in 6 days. I am STILL waiting. This is ridiculous.
I applied on 1/28/19 and as of today May 29 still pending. My Mom & Niece applied 1/29/19 and were approved in Feb. We are taking a trip overseas in June and it’s looking like I won’t have it by then. From what I have found there is no way to contact them that you don’t get a FAQ response.
Submitted renewal (after GE expired) March 15th and as of June 2nd getting nothing but crickets from DHS /CPB . That’s 11 weeks and 1 day. Seems kind of arbitrary and ridicules. Kicking myself for not renewing before expiration (you get a 6 month grace period if you renew before expiration but your slapped in the same black hole as everyone else if you wait till after expiration.)
I’m still waitng since March 26th and wife approves in 3 weeks. Left 2 messages and no call back
Instead of calling you can also email CBP using this link:
https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask
Hopefully this will speed up the process.
You might get it in a week or so. I just got mine approved. March 17th I applied.
Now the hard part is getting an interview. Many places I looked at around me in Southern New England are booked until September!
Hi Alastair – check back frequently at the TTP website and click the reschedule button to see availability. People cancel and slots open up.
I had a September appointment at BDL, but when I checked the website this morning, a slot had opened up today after lunch, so I nabbed it!
BDL Guy. I could be bothered to check it all the time. So I booked in Vermont on the Canadian boarder and drove the 4 hours there Tuesday. 10mins later I was all done. The Derby one apparently even takes walkins.
I applied March 12th (12 weeks and 2 days ago from today, June 7th) and it’s still “in progress”
I contacted Global Entry via the website last week stating it’s been 15 weeks and I’ve received no reply yet.
However I received a generic email which I assume has been sent to all applicants saying :
“In lieu of scheduling an appointment at a Global Entry Enrollment Center, you have the unique opportunity to interview for Global Entry when you return from your next international trip at one of several international airports in the United States and Canada. Enrollment on Arrival is ONLY available if you are arriving from an international trip and will be completed during the arrival process.”
BUT I went to the website today and now see I’m conditionally approved (as of June 3rd???). Very odd I didn’t receive an email indicating this and I checked the website last week and it wasn’t updated.
Soonest an open appointment was available was 5 weeks from today, luckily 10 days before my international trip.
I must say this whole process is quite frustrating.
I applied March 21. Just got conditional approval today June 19.
That’s exactly 90 days. I had a car with my application so don’t know if that slows things down.
Sadly I went to book an interview and no appointments available at all in California. Closest was Nogales in Arizona. So I guess I have to take a vacation to Mexico, and fly in somewhere where I can do it on the spot.
Edit to say: I keep re-checking the interview schedule on the website, and spots do open up in San Diego – Otay. So if you can get to the border it may be possible to schedule an interview.
I would just like to add a final happy ending to my story. I have my Global Entry Card!
I know you all want to know how long each step takes, so here it is:
1. Applied March 1
2. Conditionally approved June 19 (90 days).
3. Scheduled an appointment in Long Beach, CA July 2. It’s crazy how you have to drive to somewhere so far away but I drove it. I have to say they run a very professional office there at Long Beach. Very impressed.
4. At the interview they fingerprinted me and came up with a prior incident. Jeez it was just a thing at a political rally. Where I stole they guy’s sign and threw it in the dumpster. So he had me arrested.
5. The officer says since you have a prior incident with police I have to refer it to my supervisor which will take 8 weeks.
6. I’m bummed, I drove all that frickin way. And I’m assuming they think someone who causes trouble at political rallies IS NOT GETTING NO GLOBAL ENTRY.
7. Kind of depressed, that I drove all that way from what I now think is I’m just not getting it.
8. Fast forward, the global entry card came in the mail on July 24!
9. I was surprised, they said it would take eight weeks for the supervisor approval but it took much less than that.
10. My acceptance letter was on July 16, about a week before I received the Card in the mail. I never got any email EVER informing me of anything. I guess if I’d have logged into the site I could have seen my acceptance letter a week before I actually got the card in the mail.
Really trying to refrain from swearing, but are you FREAKING KIDDING ME!? #&@$
I applied mid-March, conditionally approved maybe 2 weeks ago, scheduled an appointment luckily 10 days before my trip to London early August (random one late July appt opened up) and NOW I just got an email saying my appointment was canceled…..
Global Entry Applicant,
You are receiving this e-mail because your scheduled Global Entry Enrollment Center appointment has been cancelled.
The ongoing humanitarian and security crisis on our southern border has required extraordinary action by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), including the deployment of additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) personnel to the southern border.
In response to this effort, CBP is temporarily reducing staff at Global Entry Enrollment Centers and reassigning them to support frontline traveler processing during the summer months. Regrettably, this situation has forced the cancellation of your scheduled appointment.
To complete your Global Entry enrollment, consider:
Enrollment on Arrival….
OR
.. Re-scheduling your appointment
I’m beyond ticked off now!
Very annoying especially after waiting for so long to be conditionally approved!
According to this article CBP is sending staff to the border and cancelling interviews until September 30:
https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/20/politics/global-entry-canceled-appointments-resources-border/index.html
Where was your interview scheduled? I would keep checking the website to see if there are any last minute cancellations. Otherwise Enrollment on Arrival (https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/enrollment-arrival) when flying back could be your best option but you would not have TSA Precheck flying out of the US.
Minneapolis International Airport it’s where my appointment was scheduled. I have been checking every single day for a different appointment to open up because that one date that I was scheduled to go really wasn’t ideal but I was going to make it work. At least now I don’t have a conflict with my originally scheduled appointment and us wanting to leave early for a camping trip.
The next closest Office is over four hours away on the Canadian border and I find it interesting there are like three or four offices up there but only one at the airport down here. Too bad my camping trip has us going south and not North.
There are a lot of appointment openings in Minneapolis the last two weeks of August, but again that is after I return from my trip. I did schedule one of those dates though just in case for some reason they don’t allow me to go through my interview process when I return from London.
YAY .. well almost there .. agter waiting 14 weeks and having 1 appointment canceled with another rescheduled after my international trip, I’ve now been monitoring the Minneapolis interview schedule almost every day for the past 4 weeks and FINALLY when checking last night an appointment opened up today! Just finished my interview 11 days before my trip. They said it would be about 2 days to get a final response (ha ha, we shall see) and then 2-4 weeks to get my card. However he said that I can use my number once approved and in the US they use passports not global entry cards. Said I just can’t drive to Canada or Mexico without the card.
My fiancé and I applied on June 17 & 18, (mon & tues) respectively and were both conditionally approved June 22, 2019 (sat) the first available interview was June 25th but that had only one time slot and the next day with two time slots was July 19! Hopefully that holds. We both work downtown Detroit so luckily there is a enrollment center near the bridge to Canada. Which is about 5 minutes from downtown.
Applied 5/30. it’s 7/1 and still pending conditional approval
Applied me & my wife April 10th, my wife was approved and setup interview and received her card within two weeks. Me still waiting for conditional approval. E-mailed twice to check the status and no answer, if did not hear from them or receive conditional approval by the end of next week will call AM Ex to dispute the charges.
Same here. I had Global Entry and it expired w/o me realizing it. I applied again on April 24 for me and my wife who’s GE was about to expire.
Now it is July 10 and I am still waiting to get to the next step. The website for both of us says “Wait for conditional approval.”
We have had the GE before; why does it take so long when new applicants seem to get it within days.
The web site blames it on the partial government shutdown more than half year ago.
Is there a way to contact them to find out what is going on?
I’m in the same boat you are: had GE, I didn’t notice it expired, I submitted a new application on 5/2 and as of today, 8/12, I’m still waiting.
I understand if they had to re-allocate some staff due to the border crisis, but this is ridiculous. That they are still blaming a shutdown that happened eight months ago is also absurd. And yet they took my application fee with no delay whatsoever.
It actually makes me feel a little better to know that others are suffering the same problem that I am. Here’s hoping that complaining in a public forum doesn’t get my application moved to the bottom of the pile.
Thought I would share my family’s experience with first-time Global Entry applications. I submitted my application on January 28 and received conditional approval on February 1 (4 days). My wife submitted her application on April 22 and received conditional approval on May 1 (9 days). My 20-year-old daughter submitted her application on April 28 and received conditional approval on May 5 (7 days). My 24-year-old son submitted his application on June 24 and as of today July 9 (15 days later) is still awaiting approval.
I was able to schedule an interview at JFK in mid-March when returning from a business trip. My wife and daughter scheduled an interview recently at the airport in Philadelphia during a layover. My son, fortunately has about 5 months before his TSA Precheck expires (and does not have an international trip in the near future), so it was good he applied early. I did not realize the length of some of the delays until looking at message boards recently. I see that my wife, daughter and I all were lucky to be approved so quickly.
4/2 application date, as of 7/10 I am still waiting, I emailed first and recieved a boiler plate response along the lines of don’t call us we will call you. I actually called and the gentleman could not give me a ID#, nor any identifiable information. He said he would flag it as over 12 weeks and that should give it some priority. 7/10 Still waiting (Miami Area) leaving to Europe on 7/ 19. Reading that some folks applied after me and got theirs already is not the most soothing thing to me. I confidently can say this is inefficient bureaucracy at it’s finest.
Alejandro I’m sorry to hear that for your sake, and hope you are approved quickly, but it is making me feel better to be honest. At least I’m not the only one! I applied on 4/3 and still am waiting. Just sent them my second email complaint about it but am not going to hold my breath. It’s been 14 weeks at this point!
Alejandro, I am in the same boat. Applied 4/2 and still waiting. WTH?! Where is this phone number that you used. I cant seem to find anything to contact them.
Called them and talked to some one who told me it can take up 100 days. applied on April 10 and still waiting 93 days and counting so I have to wait another 7 days. Will see then
Here is the phone #8772275511 or 202325800 you just to have to be patient on the phone. Will update again the July 20th after the 100 days or sooner if I was accepted
My family and I are patiently waiting as our TSA’s expired in May. We applied on April 12 for Global Entry. I saw that the payment was received on April 16. Today we are at 13 weeks. We have had two holidays in between, so that may have some delay. I’ve seen some post where people are calling and sending emails. I’m afraid that our applications may get pushed back so we are just going to wait it out. Good luck to all that are waiting.
CBP has updated their website to state the average processing time is now about 100 days (up from 11 weeks):
We have updated this post with the new timing.
13 weeks and still waiting for my wife and I. Frustrating since her precheck has expired and mine will soon.
As a DoD employee with a Top Secret security clearance (requiring extensive background checks) for over 30 years, I would have thought conditional approval would be easy for CBP, but they took my $100 over 14 weeks ago and have provided nothing yet.
July 24 2019 – My Global Entry expired in March; I filed for renewal in early May. After almost 3 months of waiting I called and was told that it would take up to 6 months. SIX MONTHS.
Since I found out before my wife’s Global Entry expired, she renewed on line before expiration and received it immediately.
My wife and I applied on the same day April 24. Mine was expired, she had still a month to go and got thru the fast lane while I had to stand in line when leaving from the airport.
We both are still waiting for any progress. Watching this forum it appears to me that April/May application got hit with long waiting times for whatever reason. Maybe they had a server screw-up and now we are suffering.
Nope, no server screw ups. I applied in March, it took 14+ weeks to get pre approved and then in my state it was a couple of months before I could get an interview. Then they canceled my interview and I had to reschedule. The backlog and cancellations is all stemming from all of the issues at the southern border and the need for states/national offices having to send additional people to the boarder to assist with that mess.
My Husband and I applied on May 8th. We are both still waiting to be conditional approved. We have European
travel plans and had hoped to have this taken care of. At this point We would like to at least be approved so we could be interviewed as we return in New York.
Phew. Finally got my Conditional Approval yesterday (7/25/2019) after applying back in 4/9/2019. So that’s what? Fifteen and a half weeks?
Now I have to go through the hurdle of trying to figure a place for an interview. All the ones near me in the DC area are either not available or mid-October (right in the middle of my trip to Japan). 🙂
Finally after 16 weeks from April 10, just received conditional approval. I called them last Monday July 22nd and this a copy of the email they have send to me
Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center.
We have escalated your ticket for resolution. Please do not create any new incident numbers for this issue as that might delay your request. If you contact us for a status check, please reference the incident number attached to this ticket.
Current wait times for resolution is 3-4 weeks. We will contact you via this incident number once the request has been processed.
If you have an application still pending conditional approval more than 100 days call them
Good luck to all set up my interview August 20th two weeks before leaving to Europe
Applied April 22, 2019…100 days and I’m still in “pending review” status.
Update – (sorry to all who replied, I was out of the country) I finally got my Conditional Approval on 7/22. (got an email notification btw). I took advantage of the Examination on Arrival when I got in to MIA. A few questions, fingerprints and was approved. Too late for this trip but I will use in Sept. Good Luck to all.
I applied on April 21 for Global Entry and today is 102 days and my conditional approval is still pending.
I applied on April 23rd and still waiting. I called on Monday to be told to wait until at least 100 days before calling.
I received my conditional approval two days ago, 12 August.
It took 16 weeks to get conditional approval on July 31 (and my application should have been a breeze, as a federal employee with a security clearance for decades). But the required interview is essentially impossible to schedule! There are ONLY THREE LOCATIONS scheduling interviews: Champlain NY on the Canadian border and Loredo TX and Nogales AZ on the Mexican border.
I was approved after 16 weeks two days ago and set up my interview for August 20th in Moline, IL and kept and checking every four hours if there are new opening earlier, and found new opening on August 5th and reschedule for that time. Only one hour away from where I live.
My husband and I applied in late April 2019. Our fee was processed through our credit card on 5/1/2019. Other than a couple of e-mails advising that we could hurry up the process by scheduling an appointment the next time we entered the US, we have heard nothing. Since the point of applying for Global Entry was to get the approval and pass before our next trip, I am wondering what we can do to make sure that our application hasn’t fallen through the cracks…or is sitting on someone’s desk that no longer works there? (Neither my husband or I have anything in our past that would cause a delay or disqualify us in any way.)
Laura the only thing you can do is wait. I waited for 16 weeks to be conditional approval , but you can call them after 100 days to escalate your case. I applied on April 10th and was conditional approval on July 30. Here is the phone # 8772275511 or 202325800
Good Luck
Thank you David. Today marks 100 days since they “took my money”, so I will give them a call tomorrow. I really appreciate your reply and the phone number.
Again, Thank You!
Laurie
I called today after 109 days. I was told my application would be expedited, but that would be 3 to 8 weeks from now.
Thank you Jennifer 🙂
Wow they consider 3-8 weeks expedited? Did you call your nearby enrollment center or a general number?
It was a general number
1-877-227-5511
Be prepared to wait for around 30 minutes.
Applied on May 12th and still waiting for conditional approval. (93 days)
Surprised to see such variation in processing time — but it seems I got extraordinarily lucky. I applied on 8/9/19 and got conditional approval this morning (8/14). Oddly, when I went to schedule an interview there were NO appointments available in Boston (including dates in 2020)… except for one slot today, so I took it. Entire process done in less than a week.
I applied on 7/22/19 and got my conditional approval after 113 days. I had to call them a couple times to ask what’s going on. They eventually put me on a **over 100 days** list. I’m in NYC, and the next available interview nearby is on October 2nd. They have September 2nd availability in JFK airport, but I really don’t feel like wasting good half a day getting there and coming back or paying a $60 cab fare each way. So far the process has been frustrating and disappointing.
I applied for my then 7 month old daughter in October, she is now 16 month old, still waiting for conditional approval
Applied for global entry on April 23 wasn’t approved until August 17 (over 16 weeks) after I sent an email asking why it was taking so long. Scheduled interview isn’t until October 21 (over 8 weeks later). Total time from application to interview will be six months.
is there an e-mail address to send an e-mail to? I’ve been waiting for 5 months now for conditional approval. I just called and they said they can’t do anything about it until I’ve been waiting 6 months…
There used to be a page on the website to email the CBP but it is no longer working. I would call them again as soon as you reach the 6 month wait time.
Same here. Called at 4 months. They said to call back at 5 months. Called at 5 months. They said to call back at 6 months. Infuriating. Did yours eventually go through?
This blog and commentary has been super helpful in my wait for my application, so thank you.
My experience: I’m a Mexican and have had an American tourist visa for over 25 years, and this was my first time applying for Global Entry with SENTRI (I live really close to the border). I applied April 24th, and I hadn’t had any updates until August 15, I was on a plane flying to Chicago and got the conditional approval email (while flying). I landed, booked an appointment for an interview in a Texas office, but asked for an interview while going through Customs. The interview took around 5 minutes and got approved! I got my final approved status update on my application yesterday August 18, and I will be getting my Global Entry card in 1-2 weeks according to the officer. So, I guess they are back on track with the applications!
I just wanted to share my recent experience since I’ve found reading everyone else’s to be very helpful while waiting for conditional approval. I applied on April 26 and finally got conditionally approved on August 22, so 118 days later (or 16 weeks and 6 days). I was in the habit of checking the CBP website, but I did receive an email notification telling me there was a change in my status as well. I originally scheduled my interview for October 3 in another state (I was lucky to even get this slot) as nothing was available in my home city for the rest of the year; however, after checking once or twice a day some interview slots opened up locally so now my interview is scheduled for August 31. Good luck to everyone. I never imagined it would take so long to get conditionally approved, but it seems to be the norm now.
Thank you, your post helps me get a clearer picture of this crazy process. My husband & I applied May 11th and are still waiting. Whereas my sister-in-law was approved in 3 weeks! They really should be better with communication because the first thing one thinks when so much time has passed is there’s something wrong with my application, or they somehow lost it.
I had my interview for global entry on Aug 22 and it’s Aug 26 and still haven’t been approved. My gf had her interview the week before and was approved the next day. How do I check the status?
UPDATE: Finally got conditional approval. It took exactly 18 weeks. I believe the call I made to the CBP two weeks ago – asking them to expedite my application – made the difference. My husband just got his approval as well.
Applied 8/27, and received conditional approval 9/1. Was surprised it only took 5 days! Initially, there were no interviews but checked again today and found one for tomorrow 9/3. If approved, process took only one week!
If you’re conditionally approved, keep checking for appointments because people cancel all the time. In the Chicagoland area, not sure if geographical location makes a difference.
Submitted renewal application on 5/17/2019. Still waiting to get beyond “Application Pending”. Now 16 weeks
Just received notice from CBP. Global Entry renewal APPROVED. 18 weeks after applied for renewal
I submitted my Global Entry application on May 3, 2019. About 2 weeks ago I called the CBP and spoke with an agent who escalated my case since it had been over 100 days since I submitted my application. I got a follow-up email that said that it could take another 3 to 8 weeks. Well today I received an email saying there had been a status change to my application and when I checked my dashboard it was conditionally approved. I’m in the DC area and I was able to get an interview appoitment rather quickly within a few days here. Finally, getting some traction; however, I did expect a long wait. Good luck to others on here still waiting and call the CBP if it has been more than 100 days since you submitted your GE application. Hang in there.
May 5th applied
Sept 5th conditionally approved
17 weeks 4 days!
Earliest appt mid Jan 2020
Am about to get current, unexpired passport renewed, as it must be in effect at least 6 months beyond end of travel time.
Question: can I start the global entry (first time) process now, under my current passport number, or should I wait to apply using my new passport, which I am told will be issued under a new, and different number (and will come, expedited, in about 3-4 weeks)? Many thanks in advance for all information/suggestions.
You can do either depending on when you need Global Entry. If you apply for Global Entry now but get a new passport before your interview you can update your passport information at the interview. If you get approved for Global Entry quickly while you still have your old passport, you can login to your TTP account and update your passport information.
Thank you!
As I live in the UK I had to apply first through the UK Home office, which was granted within 24 hours, I then made my application on the 15th April, my application is still pending.
On contacting CBP Info centre by email on August 22nd, I was informed that police clearance had not arrived yet from England.
So I am still waiting, anyone else have a similar experience?
My husband & both applied 5/9/19. He was approved in a week. After 100 days I sent an email through the CBP website on 8/14/19. I received an email on 8/27/19 saying my application had been escalated. Finally received conditional approval on 9/6/19. Total wait 120 days. Will attempt interview upon my return from Europe at the end of September.
Spouse and I both applied 5.8.19, our TSA pre-check is set to expire in November. Husband was conditionally approved in about a month, I still have not been conditionally approved as of 9.9.18. I sent an email after 100 days but did not get a reply.
After a couple flights without TSA recheck on my boarding pass realized that my Global Entry membership had expired months before. My email address had changed so I did not receive a reminder.
I renewed the second week of June 2019 and I am still in pending status.
Anyone else have any updates regarding timeline of renewals when you “screw up” and let your membership lapse?
Unfortunately there is no way to expedite Global Entry renewal if you let your membership lapse.
I just did my renewal last week and it was approved today!
I called CBP this morning and they now said we can’t call to expediate the case until 5 months after the application. The line is getting longer and longer. I’ve applied since 05/12/2019.
HA! i just called today (10/22) and they told me they can’t expedite until I’ve waited 6 months. I’m at 5 months right now.
Just adding a data point: My wife applied 5/31/2019 and has not received conditional approval as of 9/18/2019 (15+ weeks). I, however, applied 5/28/2019 and received conditional approval on 6/3/2019 (>1 week).
Dear wife received conditional approval in November. A little over 6 months of waiting.. no big deal.
I applied for Global Entry on 7/7/2019. This Sunday 9/22.2019 will make 11 week without even conditional approval. I already have TSA PreCheck, thought that would have helped to expedite the review. Evidently not. I’m starting to have doubts about the staffing excuse. When you read through this list of comments and find cases where married couples that submit on the same day end up with one getting conditional approval within a few weeks and the other still waiting months later. This makes me wonder about how these applications are being allocated across the available reviewers and offices. It would seem some applications are being reviewed at locations with adequate staffing and review procedures while others are just piling up where no one is paying any attention. You can imagine an image of a 6 foot stacks of applications on somebodies desk gathering dust and coffee cup stains. My wife applied about two weeks before me and got conditional approval within three weeks. Eleven weeks later I’m still waiting. No rhyme or reason, just poor management.
Passed my 100 day no reply anniversary last week . So, I decided that it was time to attempt to get an answer as to it’s where abouts. I found this phone number for the CBP customer information center folks. 855-873-4637. I gave them a call, went through the call tree, got to the Global Entry subject, (from the start puch your 1,1,3 phone pad numbers) Got the hold message Lady who turned it over to the hold message guy who then turned it back over to the hold message lady. She then told me that there were just too many people calling. She then said good bye and hung up. Total time elapsed = 2 minutes, 36 seconds. Now that’s customer service!
Almost 2 months since I paid and submitted my Global Entry application.
I applied for GE on 06/03/2019. As of today, 09/24/2019, my application is still pending. Not even conditionally approved! My next International travel is on 10/19/2019!!!!! My husband spent approximately 2 weeks to complete the entire process and received his GE card. I’m really angry!!!!!!
Update
Today is 11/14/2019.
I went Japan and stayed there for 2 weeks. My application is still pending. I deal with USCIS cases everyday. All they do is to extend processing times so that they can prevent people inquiring about their cases. GE is the same. When I applied back in June, the processing time was 3 months. It became 5 months by September and now 6 months!
My husband who received the GE card back in June (he applied a week after me in June) ended up waiting for me after going through securities. Didn’t ave his time!
I wonder if the processing time will be like 8 months in the near future. Then, I have to wait another 4-5 months to schedule an interview. My next travel will be in 02/2020. I hope the entire process will be over by them. Disgusted.
Me
Applied 5/5/19
CA 9/5/19
interview 9/15/19 (booked the night before. Original 1/19/20)
Wife
Applied 5/6/19
CA 9/10/19
interview 9/22/19 (booked the night before Original 1/26/20)
I applied on may 24th. And as of today nothing. Its been 18 weeks now.
I applied on 4/16/2019 and here over 5 months and still waiting on Conditional approval. I guess mine is testing the upper limit for sure.
Seems to be completely random… My girlfriend applied over the july 4th holiday and was approved in 4 days.
I applied for Global Entry for the first time on May 14, 2019; as of late September I am still waiting for conditional approval.
The processing fee posted to my credit card the day after submitting my application 🙂
I applied June 17 & I’m still waiting – My husband applied 1 week later & was conditionally approved 3 days later – it makes absolutely no sense…..
I applied on 4/16/2019 and here over 5 months and still waiting on Conditional approval. I guess mine is testing the upper limit for sure. seo
I’d call the CBP on a business day. I waited over 100 days and I started to call them. They told me there’s no such thing called expediated review if it’s less than 5 months of application. Then you know what, I got conditionally approved that afternoon. They must have done something about it to make a different. I don’t want to use that as an usual custom but it’s worth to try.
I applied on 8/16/19 and still waiting. My GF applied on 8/21/19 and got CA in 6 days. Did Enrollment on arrival on 10/4/19 when we arrived from the Philippines. I’m getting impatient and frustrated as there seems to be no “process” to this whole thing. Meanwhile , they’re so quick to take our money.
What number did you use for CBP?
My wife and I applied for Global entry on May 29th. She received conditional approval in just over a week. I am now starting my 20th week of waiting. My congressman’s office tells me I just have to wait. I refuse to believe that a congressman’s office can’t intervene in what has become an absolutely ridiculous waiting period. Shame on the government for allowing this to happen and shame on them for collecting their fee for service in the first 24 hours.
I applied on July 2, 2019 and I am still waiting for CA. I have a trip to Thailand in December. I pray it goes through. Last time I traveled, they held me for over an hour and my poor fiance had to wait in the car. SMH!
Applied 10/6/2019, conditional approval 10/10/2019. No interview appointments to be had, however!
I applied oct 9 and was conditionally approved oct 14. Interview oct 15. Approved same day.
I applied June 17th and still waiting – 4 months now.
Husband applied and was approved within a week. He had to drive far for the interview, as they closed LAX office.
Husband has a security clearance and maybe his was easier therefore faster processing time.
We’re flying soon. I told him to go ahead and enjoy TSA precheck and I’ll see him on the other side!
I applied on 28 JUN 2019 which puts me well over the 100 day mark. Just called CBP and was informed the wait time is now six months. Quick to take my $100 processing fee, but now I’m at the mercy of the Leviathan and have no recourse but to continue waiting…
I applied for my renewal on May 28th and still have not received approval. In contrast, my wife applied for renewal just two weeks ago and received her card in the mail yesterday. I finally got through using the help phone number and talked to an assistant who said if I’m not approved by mid November, which would be six months, I should contact them again. This seems to be a waste of money and I wonder how well the actual implementation will work. I expect the expedited line through customs may be as ephemeral as the whole application process.
I applied on July 30th 2019 and am still waiting almost 12 weeks later. Good info though in the above comments – perhaps calling their office will help expedite.
I applied Aug 12, 2019. Still waiting. Payment posted the next day. I am wondering if number of countries visited (remember how it makes you list them) affects anything. I have quite a few (15+). Anyone else care to add data points?
Update: I submitted and paid on Aug 12th 2019. I called today on Feb 14th 2019 at 855-873-4637 and the wait time on the phone was 57 minutes. When I did get through to someone I was told the expected wait time is now 7 months (and that they “expect [I] should hear something back soon”). They said to call back in a month to get assistance, if I haven’t heard anything. They did not take any of my information or say anything else and spoke to me for maybe 20 seconds.
Update: I called again (wait time 24 mins) now that it’s been over 200 days/7 months and was told that the deadline is now 7-9 months and to call again at the 9 month mark if I don’t hear back before then. I asked what the likelihood of calling back then and hearing it’s now 11-12 months is and the person essentially said that given the evolving “crisis around the southern border” its pretty possible. I do live in Arizona, not that it necessarily factors in. The agent did mention that criminal record is the primary thing that hols up applications, but I don’t have a criminal record so I’m guessing just understaffed. The agents also alluded to the idea that older applications do get priority. They did not take any of my information and spoke to me for about 2 minutes.
Update: on 3/16/2020 I was conditionally approved. 217 days or 7 months, 4 days from when I applied.
Due to continued closures of the interview offices from COVID-19, I have had 2 interview appointments cancelled. I will not be able to interview until Aug 5 (unless they cancel that too). If I am able to interview on Aug 5th that will mean it took 359 days or almost 1 year from payment to interview.
Update: Due to COVID-19 all my appointments have been cancelled. The earliest next apt I could get in my state is Feb 22, 2021. If it goes much past that then my conditional approval will be lost (expires after one year). If i get that apt then my total wait time will have been 1 year, 6 months, and 7 days. I don’t even know if I care about having the GE anymore, but I am kind of mad about how poorly the current administration has run this program.
Texas. I applied June 16,2019. It is Oct 23, 2019 (15 weeks out) and I still do not have conditional approval. A little context I am Mexican/American (have 2 passports) and I decided to register all 5 vehicles since I live in the border. I’m not surprise for the wait, but thought I give some information for more people waiting. I will definitely renew within the year in advance due to this wait time.
Applied June 1019 (UK Citizen) Still waiting. (Also visited a good number of countries including Cuba and South Africa wonder if that has flagged me as needing to wait)
I also applied for renewal June 2019. US citizen. Status is still pending.
Interestingly enough, both the contact us and complaint section on the website do not work now. I’m now 11 weeks and waiting for application review. When I applied it said 10-12 weeks before you could escalate. Now it is 6 months? Yikes.
After 16 weeks my husband and I finally decided to call them to escalate our applications. This really helped. Two weeks later we were both conditionally approved.
Here’s the phone number: 877-227-5511
To save time, here are the prompts: 6 – 1 – 4 – 0
Hope this helps.
Thanks, Michele. When I tried to call, the prompts have changed. So 6-1-4-0 don’t apply anymore. However, when I followed the prompts to inquire about my GE status, the automated message states that “due to a high call volume” no one is able to help me at this time and to call back later. The system then hung up on me. I am so disappointed. It has been 20 weeks since my application was submitted and my application still shows Pending Review.
So sorry, 20 weeks is unacceptable! Try calling early in the morning. We got through mid Sept. calling early in the AM, and had a 20 minute wait. Thanks for the heads up on the prompts. I’m sure that will prevent further frustration for others.
Call them. You may have to wait a while before they answer. I did. They said they would expedite my application. I got conditional approval after 10 days. Then you have to find a date for interview. Keepooking as sometimes you can get a cancellation. I applied in April and have my interview November 5th.
What number did you use? I am going to Thailand in December. 🙁
I applied (and paid) in June and am still waiting for conditional approval as of November 1. FYI for anyone interested.
UPDATE:
I just received notice that I am conditionally approved and can schedule an interview. Unfortunately there are no slots available with any airports within a day’s drive and within a year. So, I will call my closest enrolment center and see if they take walk in interviews. I’ll update this when I have more info.
So, I spent the morning before work on Wednesday looking for interview places and times. The closed one, an hour away, just had 4 open slots for the month and on had opened for today ( Thursday). I booked it as my weekend in on Thursday/Friday.
I just got back home from the interview and it went great. Easiest interview ever. I also was told that I was approved and given instructions on how to use Global Entry and TSA pre check. I should get official online approval within 72 hours.
So, advice. Just make sure to bring your passport and another form of ID like a driver’s license. And be there about 10 minutes early. I wish you each the best!
Closest one*
We had the same situation, AND needed 2 appointments! We logged in to check each day, and suddenly there was a full Saturday of times in Cincinnati, 8 or 9 days away! We grabbed 2 of them immediately. It ended up being a very rainy trip (2 hours each way), but we got it done. I don’t know how or why they pop up like that. Maybe some centers don’t open them up too far out? Good luck.
I just called the CBP this morning and spoke to a live agent, who promptly told me that nothing could be done unless your application was still Pending Review beyond 6 months ( I have been waiting 5 months and 1 week). Basically a waste of time for me to wait 20 minutes on hold…some travelers have noted that the call helped to nudge something along…seems not the case for me. I hope others have better luck.
Update: Conditionally approved after almost 5.5 months. Lucky to have gotten an interview in Long Beach, CA the week after I received notice of Conditional Approval. The CBP agent at the interview asked me about my past addresses and took my fingerprints. Informed me that I would need to wait an additional 2 weeks for final approval and the GE card. If I do receive final approval in the 2 weeks as promised, then the entire process will have taken 6 months. Good luck to everyone still waiting. Agent did share that most conditional approvals happen within 3-4 weeks, and was surprised to hear how long I had to wait.
I applied on Oct. 30th, got CA Nov. 4th. scheduled an interview on Nov.12th.
Location: CA
Condition: green card holder (conditional)
I’ve been waiting 143 days. Going to finally call tomorrow. This is silly.
I sent In renewal June 23. Still waiting. I emailed two weeks ago. Nothing. They certainly had no backlog charging my credit card.
I applied on June 4. It has now been 22 weeks and I am still waiting for Conditional Approval. I tried for several days to get through on the toll free number but either the call wouldn’t go through at all or I got a recorded message saying due to high volume they could not take the call. I finally got through to a rep right away this morning. The number is 877-227-5511 (prompts are now 1-1-3). Alas, the very polite rep said the processing time is now six months. It is incredibly discouraging.
Update. After over 24 weeks, I received Conditional Approval last night. There’s no way to know if my call last week contributed to eventual approval or not, but it was a relief to finally receive the email announcing the status change. Unfortunately, the closest facilities that have appointments available within the next two months are all at least a five-hour drive away, but I scheduled an appointment at one of them for early next week. Good luck to those of you still waiting.
Applied June 10th and paid within 5 minutes.
Still waiting for my conditional approval.
So, more than 5 months.
Ridiculous…
Geez … applied and paid for Global Entry on June 5, 2019 and it still says pending review 5 1/2 months later. I’m incredibly frustrated!
Applied on 06/03/2019
CA on 11/09/2019
My status finally changed to CA.
However, I just found out that the GE office at San Francisco is no longer available!!! Now LA location is open, but only for January and February 2020.
If you are living in So. Cal, you have 3 locations – Los Angeles, Long Beach and San Diego, but people like me who are living in No. Cal have no location available! I’m so angry. When I applied back in June, the processing time was 3 months. So, I thought I could travel with GE in October. No, I had to travel without it!
They closed LA location unannounced, inconvenienced many people, and now they did the same thing with San Francisco location! If you are planning to walk upon arrival in in the future, you need to make sure that they are available again!
My next trip is in May 2020, but I have to either drive or fly to LA for an interview if the GE office at SFO reopens. This is crazy. I have to take a time off to do this!
The GE program should be investigated. Do you know foreign nationals who are on visas request congressmen to investigate their pending immigration cases because their cases are pending too long? Maybe we should do the same thing. GE take fees right away but leaves applications unprocessed for 6 months. This is not acceptable!
Correction
Applied: 06/03/2019
CA: 11/16/2019
Paid and submitted on Oct 4th, as of today no updates, and still waiting.
These comments have been helpful, so I thought I’d provide my experience as well.
I applied for Global Entry five months ago on June 20, 2019 (now at 152 days) and am still waiting for conditional approval.
I sent an email inquiry to CBP over a week ago to inquire on the status (and just to make sure they received my application). Even though the form says to expect a response within 3-5 business days, I still haven’t heard anything back.
Although previous commenters had mentioned that CBP told them nothing could be done until the six month mark, I figured it couldn’t hurt to contact them. (Especially with how many mentioned that their applications suddenly seemed to get conditionally approved after calling.)
I called CBP in the morning and luckily only had to wait eight minutes before speaking to an agent. I was also told that nothing could be done until after the six month mark and that I could call back at that time and “they would see what they could do.”
My TSA precheck expires in one month and I now I fear I may have to bite the bullet and pay to have that renewed even though precheck is included in Global Entry.
Fingers crossed that the call makes a difference! (I’ll update the post when/if anything changes.)
I agree with the previous comment that the GE program should be investigated. We as citizens are required to comply with government regulations, pay taxes in a timely fashion, etc. But, who is holding the government accountable for continuing to collect application fees for a program with a never ending backlog? — a program that requires an interview but has no availability at all in certain geographic areas.
Update:
I received my conditional approval today, 12/10/19. I applied on 6/20/19, so it took nearly 6 months (173 days to be exact).
I don’t believe my phone call helped speed the process along. Also, I never received a reply from my email submission.
Unfortunately, the next available date for my in-person interview isn’t until February 4. In all, the process will have taken nearly 8 months to complete.
Did they notify you by email that your status had changed? I’m getting tired to signing in to the site to check. Renewed June 23.
Hi Mark,
Yes, I received an email notifying me of the status change.
The site instructions were very unclear about that so I, too, regularly signed in to check mine.
Hopefully you’ll get an email soon!
Thanks much – and congrats.
My husband and I applied August 12, 2019. He was approved in a matter of days. I am still waiting for conditional approval, 105 days and counting.
I applied, for the first time, in November 2018 and I am still waiting to be conditionally approved. 380 days. Should be some kind of record.
We applied in April 2019. My husband got approved in a few weeks.
Now in November I’m still waiting!
Applied on August 30th, and still waiting on CA. My bf applied a week after me, got conditionally approved a week after that and set up an interview within 2 weeks. He has already received his card and I am still waiting. Its absolutely ridiculous!
Paid up 8/19/19.
No news or conditional approval as of 12/6/19.
My status lapsed because I was waiting on my also recently-expired passport to get reissued. I am guessing that my lapsed position did not get me to the top of their stack…
Good luck fellow fee payers!
Husband and I applied within 1 hour of each other. I was approved Day 3. Husband waiting still Day 70. Neither of us has been out of the country without each other. No criminal records. Trying to find an Enrollment Center has been a disaster. Live in Midwest/ Central US. No Center within 100 miles & the closest is open only a few hours a week. Even tried to find somewhere with appts within 350 miles – no luck. Trying to get GE before a trip next spring. Right now I feel that this process is a complete rip off of my tax dollars.
I agree with you.
They should have more interview locations accessible to all applicants. When my application was pending, the interview location near my home was available. Right before my application was conditionally approved, this location became unavailable. I have already traveled internationally once before my application was conditionally approved. My next trip is in May, but I’m not sure if I can be interviewed before this trip. GE includes TSA pre. My previous trip required a domestic flights and I had to be on a regular line while my husband, who applied after me but received a GE card within 2 weeks, went through the express lane. I have been extremely frustrated.
I agree. They should stop taking applications if they do not have interviews available. No one should have to travel to a far away city to have an interview. Last minute cancellations on their part are not uncommon, and not everyone travels internationally and is therefore able to have an interview on arrival. Those who can’t get an interview locally and don’t have international plans are left in limbo, having paid for a service they are not receiving. There should be a way to request a refund in a situation like that. My family of four is in limbo— conditionally approved but no interviews available near us or in any domestic location we have traveled to. Our one international trip this year is months away.
Finally San Francisco office reopened. Appointments are available from April!
Applied for Global Entry 2019/08/20.
Pending Approval as of 2019/12/06.
I applied July 8, 2019 and still CA. My trip is in three weeks!
My wife and I applied 1 week apart. I applied in end of June 2019, she applied forst week of July. She got approved in 1 week, had her interview, and got her global entry card within the month. I am yet to be conditionally approved. It has been 170 days.
I applied in June 20 2019, still waiting as of Dec. 17. 189 days and counting
I applied 7/27 and was approved 4 days later. I realize now this is strangely quick. We went through a lengthly process to get my husband a green card a couple years ago so I do wonder if that helped. They already have extensive info on me for sure. Or maybe I just got lucky? I do know from the visa process that these things are so so so random. Anyway, I just went in for my interview today and the woman (in the Chicago office) said they are mostly interviewing people who applied in May/April. It does take quite awhile to get in interview here though (I scheduled mine in September).
Update: My GE expired in January and I renewed 6/23/19. Received approval today with no interview. Just shy of 6 months.
I applied in September and I’m still in limbo 94 days later. Meanwhile, my mother-in-law, father-in-law, wife, and two children all applied in October, and every one of them was approved within five days. So frustrating.
I applied July 21st and am still pending review.
My wife and I applied on Aug 7th, 2019. I got conditional approval about a week later, but wife is still waiting for Conditional approval today. I cannot get through when I call.
I applied on 8/15. Hubby did as well. I finally got email re CA yesterday. He is still waiting. So 18 weeks for me
I applied on July 30th and I’m still waiting for conditional approval. Leaving for Japan on January 4th; not feeling very hopeful that I’ll get the CA in time.
I applied on June 30th 2019 and it is still under review. This is unacceptable service no matter what the excuse is. There is no recourse or refunds offered and I cannot even talk to a customer service agent.
Update: After 6.5 months I received my conditional approval.
Hello, my family of 3 applied for global entry on January 10, 2022..my born US citizen husband and daughter were approved and already have their card. I, on the other hand, am still waiting as of today, June 7th, 2022. I am from Ecuador but I have the US citizenship.
I applied for Global Entry for the first time Thursday 1/3/20, and already for my conditional approval today. Saturday 1/4/20. The first available interview appointment near me though was not until 2/12/20.
I applied for Global Entry on 6/28/19, still waiting on conditional approval. I just got through to an agent who told me typical approval wait time is 6-8 months, and there is nothing they can do until after 8 months.
I wonder if “renewal” for Global Entry is the same time frame (6-8 months). I renewaled June 11, 2019 and still pending status. I called in December 2019 and was told 1 year wait.
I sent my expired renewal in on June 23. Finally got approved right at 6 weeks. No interview needed. My spouse did a new application three weeks ago. Go approved in 1 week. Heading to MIami for interview since they have immediate appointments available. Hope yours will come soon.
Sorry. Correction to above post. Approved in 6months. Not 6 weeks.
I finally received my notice of conditional approval on 1/15/20, so it took about 6.5 months.
Gave up after 7 Month of waiting and applied for TSA Pre. Got my interview in three day’s at a place 15 minutes away. If my Global Entry application ever gets through I would need to take a day off to travel to the nearest interview place. Global Entry is a waist of time and money.
Good for you! I have thought about doing that. With the interminable backlog and lack of interview slots — not to mention the no refund policy— the decent thing for Global Entry to do would be to offer to transfer the pending applications to TSA pre-check for anyone who was interested.
I applied for Global Entry on July 17, 2019 and as of today 1/21/2020 it’s still pending. It’s been 188 days!
I called last month (5 months post submitting application) and was told to call back the next month because the standard wait time is 6-8 months… I was told they have no order in which they process these applications. My husband and I applied on the same day, he had conditional approval 3 days later.
I called these numbers today (1/21/2020) 877-227-5511 and after selecting the prompt for Global Entry it just automatically hung up on me. I tried twice, the same thing happened.
This was the other number (855) 873-4637 I called. The recording stated that there was a 30 minute wait time. I was on hold for about 2 minutes. Then the recording stated that they were “receiving a high volume of calls” and to call back at another time then my call got disconnected. Customer service at its best! They had no problem processing my payment on the day of application. So frustrating!
Your experience is similar to mine. I applied on August 5th and I’m still waiting. My travel companion who applied the same day got conditional approval 4 months in. She’s unable to get an interview in CO until later this year.
I just tried to call the numbers and I get disconnected after the prompts.
This is so annoying. I have a trip in March and I hope that I can get this resolved before then.
(Update to my 1/21/2020 comment) When I applied in July 2019, I was hoping I’ll be approved in time for our October 2019 trip. Wishful thinking on my part 🙂 We have an upcoming trip in 10 days and was not expecting anything after waiting for approval for sooo long.
Finally after 208 days, I got Conditional Approval today. I live in California and the next available interview is for the last week of March. When I clicked on the California Interview site, a message popped up that there was availability for February 12 (in 2 days!). Of course, I snagged it even though I have to drive two hours to the interview site.
I’m a German citizen with a work visa for the US, living in SF. I applied for GE in May 2019 and am still waiting to this day, more than 8 months later.
My wife and I applied on July 26, 2019 for Global entry. I am a U.S. citizen and retired Air Force Major. My wife is from Belgium. My application was conditionally approved before our trip to Europe in Sep. I was able to do the interview when returning to the U.S.
My wife is still waiting for approval. In four days will be exactly six months since she applied.
I think it’ll be time to escalate her application.
Is this completely randomized or how do they do some screenings in 2 days and others in 7 months?
I wish there was some way to know! I applied back in July 22nd and still “waiting for continual approval”… It *must* be random if there are people getting through in 7 days vs 7 months!
Update: I applied 7/22/19. Denial Notification 3/3/20. I wrote for reconsideration 3/10/20. Received Conditional Approval 3/20/20.
Now the soonest I can get into an interview without doing Enrollment on Arrival is 6/11/21!
Go US Govt!!
I’m still waiting at five months. Just looked at my application and noticed that somehow “Afghanistan” is on my list of traveled countries even though I’ve never been anywhere near there. May be my fault, may be on the back end, who knows? Of course no way to correct errors, this being a government IT system, and really no one to call. The lesson I take away: We should hand even more aspects of life over to the federal government — health care, colleges, insurance, etc. It teaches patience.
I applied on 19th October 2019 and it says waiting for conditional approval. I used to have TSApre and i thought this would be better but after waiting for 3 months and reading all the above comments I would strongly recommend not to go for Global Entry unless it is required and you have the patience to endure the long delays and lethargic processing. May be CLEAR is a super good option !!
I applied mid August. I’m still waiting. Anyone know how I can call to request it reviewed? It’s coming up on six months.
New data point. My wife applied late Tuesday night. Got conditional approval this morning (Friday). She had TSA Pre-check already. Not sure if that matters or if the delays many have posted about is just random.
Well, I got Pre-Check in 2018 and I applied for Global Entry on 7/31/19. Still waiting for CA. I don’t think having Pre-Check matters.
I don’t either. I’ve had PreCheck since the airlines first gave to frequent flyers and then via full application in 2013. It took about four months from application to conditional approval for me. Luckily, had an international trip planned shortly thereafter so I did the interview about two weeks later. Hubby applied the same day as I did mid Aug. Still waiting for CA.
Thanks for everyone who has posted here, helped me keep my sanity during the waiting time. Add me to the list of husbands and wives who applied at the same time but with very different approval dates. We both applied on 9 July 2019. Wife was approved on 13 July (Saturday!) and I just received approval on 30 January 2020. Had hoped for approval for a December 2019 trip — silly me! We live in eastern Pennsylvania. Philadelphia, Pittsburgh and Baltimore airports are not accepting appointments which leaves Newark and NYC as closest locations. NYC first available was 13 May and we took 14 May. Had seen some comments wondering if different offices had different processing times. FWIW, my wife’s approval came from Williston, Vermont, and mine came from Sterling, Virginia.
My wife applied in July of 2019, it is now Feb 2 2020 and still on pending. Totally ridiculous
Applied on 27 OCT 19 for myself, wife and child. Wife and child received conditional approvals 6 days later. I’m still waiting for mine.
Global Entry is no longer available for people living in New York. Here’s the article:
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2020-02-06/trump-suspends-travel-programs-for-new-york-state-residents
As a NY resident, my application that has been pending review since August 2019 has now been deleted. The trusted traveler program web site now indicates I don’t have any applications, although my initial payment does still show. I guess it’s time to get TSA Pre-check before that is blocked too, plus hope for a refund.
You applied in good faith. They changed the rules. You should be able to get a refund.
Here’s the CBP link that states: “Refunds will be processed automatically.”
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/new-york-residents-no-longer-eligible-apply-or-renew-trusted
…though how fast is anyone’s guess.
Thanks for sharing. We updated the post to reflect this new development for New York state residents.
Annoying especially after waiting for so long to be approved. Let us know when you get a refund.
Thank you for updating the post to reflect the changes for new York residents. Yesterday I received the following e-mail but no refund yet:
Dear Trusted Traveler Applicant,
Thank you for your interest in Trusted Traveler Programs of U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).
Trusted Traveler Programs are voluntary and available to travelers that go through a comprehensive vetting. Applicants found to be ineligible for participation may still be permitted to enter into the United States although they will not be permitted to use the Trusted Traveler dedicated lanes.
We regret to inform you that your application has been cancelled for the following reason:
You do not meet the program eligibility requirements because you have listed the state of New York as your current residence. At this time, CBP is unable to verify certain information connected to your application.
CBP is committed to the fair, impartial, and respectful treatment of all members of the trade and traveling public, and has memorialized its commitment to nondiscrimination in existing policies, including the February 2014 CBP Policy on Nondiscrimination in Law Enforcement Activities and all other Administered Programs.
Spouse and I applied same day 9/30/19. I was approved 10/3/19. Spouse still waiting. Had interview 2/5/20 (waiting on spouse so we could make 1 trip since 2 hr drive and need to take the day off from work, but then had to wait about 6 wks to get appt as closest center only open a few hours a week and NO weekends). We have friends who applied in December? and both approved in less than a week but having to travel to another state to get an interview.
Was told at interview that I was looking for a rational explanation as to why he (and other people) is still waiting and there is NO rational explanation. Spouse and I both have same international travel and clean record. CBP says they have 700k applications are barely treading water. And don’t bother contacting them till it has been at least 200 days. Sorry for the bad news folks. We have also contacted our Senator’s office and we are not their first complaints received from constituents. Maybe if the hundreds of thousands of American voters/tax payers contact their legislators about this it will start getting some attention.
Just called CBP and was told that if your application is still pending review and you’re from NY the application is cancelled.
Just wanted to come update. I submitted and paid on Aug 12th. I called today on Feb 14th at 855-873-4637 and the wait time on the phone was 57 minutes. When I did get through to someone I was told the expected wait time is now 7 months (and that I “should hear something back soon”). They said to call back at that point to get assistance, if I haven’t heard anything. They did not take any of my information or say anything else and spoke to me for maybe 20 seconds.
I’m 5 days away from 7 months! I wonder if this could be my lucky week! (although if I call and the the operator that, they’ll probably just say ‘the wait time is now 8 months!’) Government working at its finest!
Any luck? Or is it 8 months now?
Slow on the reply here (whew, it’s been a doozy since March 9th!)
Update: I applied 7/22/19. Received a Denial Notification 3/3/20. I wrote for reconsideration 3/10/20. Received Conditional Approval 3/20/20.
Now the soonest I can get into an interview without doing Enrollment on Arrival is 6/11/21!
Go US Govt!!
Slow on the reply here (whew, it’s been a doozy since March 9th!)
I applied July 22 2019. Received a Denial Notification March 3 2020. I wrote for reconsideration March 10. Received Conditional Approval March 20.
Now the soonest I can get into an interview without doing Enrollment on Arrival is 6/11/21!
Go US Govt!!
Update: I called again (wait time 24 mins) now that it’s been over 200 days/7 months and was told that the deadline is now 7-9 months and to call again at the 9 month mark if I don’t hear back before then. I asked what the likelihood of calling back then and hearing it’s now 11-12 months is and the person essentially said that given the evolving “crisis around the southern border” its pretty possible. I do live in Arizona, not that it necessarily factors in. The agent did mention that criminal record is the primary thing that hols up applications, but I don’t have a criminal record so I’m guessing just understaffed. The agents also alluded to the idea that older applications do get priority. They did not take any of my information and spoke to me for about 2 minutes.
Update: on 3/16/2020 I was conditionally approved. 217 days or 7 months, 4 days from when I applied.
Due to continued closures of the interview offices from COVID-19, I have had 2 interview appointments cancelled. I will not be able to interview until Aug 5 (unless they cancel that too). If I am able to interview on Aug 5th that will mean it took 359 days or almost 1 year from payment to interview.
I applied on 7/29/19, almost 7 months ago, and have still not received conditional approval. I have reached out twice and they responded with the same template email each time.
My wife and I both applied in October 2019. I was conditionally approved two days later. At that time the next available appointment time was in May 2020. A few days later, I rescheduled my apt due to a cancellation and had my GE card within a month of applying. My wife, on the other had had not yet been conditionally approved (18 weeks now). She is a foreign national from a allied country and MAJOR strategic trading partner. We’ve been married over 25 years. She eligible for GE, is a green card holder in good standing, has no criminal background and has never received an entitlement from the U.S. Government.
Renewed my TSA Pre-check over the weekend last year and received approval the next day. Applied in person for a passport renewal (since I lost the previous one) and received it in under 3 months last year. Applied for Global Entry in November 2019 and the app is still pending. That’s $100 I wish I hadn’t spent.
My husband and I applied for Global Entry/TSA on September 11,2019.
It is now February 26, 2020. Still not conditionally approved. OVER
6 MONTHS! A friend applied at the same time and was approved in a
week. The charge for the fee went through immediately. I wish we could at least get the TSA without paying another $80.00. I have never felt so helpless.
Applied in August 2019, now 29Feb2020 and nothing. Thankfully I at least have TSA pre which doesn’t expire for another 10 months. Hoping to get GE before that time, but not at all optimistic
I am a PreCheck participant, and thought it would be easy to upgrade to Global Entry. I applied in mid-November and am still waiting as Mid-March comes around. That’s almost four months!
first tine applicant: August 8, 2019
CA: March 6, 2020
211 days
now trying to schedule an appointment for that interview…
I submitted my application August 23rd, 2019 . I paid through Trusted Traveler website CBP, paid $100.00. I saw it pending review until it dissapeared from their website October 15th 2019. I , knowing that they lost my money, application and screwed me, i didnt try again with them so I went to another company whom handles CBP Trusted Traveler Program, Global entry and paid ANOTHER $165.00 and that was 10-17-2019. The date today is 3-12-2020 and I am still pending with no end in sight. I hold a valid TSA Pre check, AND am also an employee of the Department of Homeland Security and have a 6 year security clearance. Yes i am perplexed at best but i geuss patience will pay off BUT is it all worth it? I dont really know. Been 169 days now. Just a tad shy of 6 months
CPB has closed all Global Entry enrollment centers until at least May 1, 2020 which will result in more delays for Global Entry applicants:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-temporarily-closes-trusted-traveler-program-enrollment-centers
Interestingly enough, I finally received approval on 3/25/20, more than 7 months after they accepted my payment on 8/19/19. Did not expect to get the approval in the middle of this COVID19 mess.
Good news! Sounds like they are still processing applications even if interviews are not being done.
I applied for my kids in August 2019 and they were finally approved just shy of 7 months later. However, now I can’t get them an interview appointment within the one year deadline. I checked in Denver. The next nearest office is in Alburquerque but it seems this office is closed as there are no appointments available there at all. Likewise for Houston, which is another city we sometimes visit. Very frustrated.
I’m not sure if the interview has to be completed by the one-year deadline or just scheduled by then. The info on the Global Entry website wasn’t clear on that.
My wife and I applied on October 3rd 2019. She was conditionally approved 2 days later. I am still waiting for conditional approval as of today March 31st, so almost 6 months.
Weird, my wife and I have been married for 21 years and have went to the same countries and both no criminal convictions in our background. Only difference is I’m black and she is white. We go to Caribbean a lot for our anniversaries and birth day so maybe the racial backgrounds make a difference.
Both born and raised in same city in Indiana and have been together since middle school. We both own the same business. Crazy stuff. only difference is race.
My wife and I applied Oct 6th 2019. She was approved within 5 days before I checked progress again. I am still waiting April 4th 2020. In February I needed to renew my TSA Pre before it ran out and paid another $85 for that. That too is still pending.
So, $185 spent and nothing to show in 6 months.
FROM: MANOCHIO, MATHEW D.
Good Morning,
Effective March 19, 2020, out of an abundance of caution and in the interest of minimizing exposure and controlling the spread of the Novel Coronavirus Disease (COVID-19) Outbreak, all US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Trusted Traveler Program Enrollment Centers will suspend operations until at least May 31, 2020. This temporary closure includes all public access to Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, and FAST enrollment locations. We sincerely apologize for the inconvenience and appreciate your patience through this process. You may reschedule online after May 31st.
Just a note of caution to folks with interviews scheduled. You should check your interview status by logging into your account before heading out. My wife and I have had our scheduled interviews cancelled twice! They do not notify you of the cancellation. You will only know if you login to your account. I had an appointment scheduled for 19 April and just happened to check this evening and found out the cancelled it on Friday, just two days prior to the appointment. Would have been a 90 min trip for nothing.
So now after waiting months for conditional approval. I have spend yet another $85 to renew TSA or have nothing. Honestly I don’t care if this severely incompetent global entry program takes 2 years to approve applicants. Which seems likely as every day passes. What I do care about is the lack of ability to cancel this farce and get a refund. Will be opening a dispute with my CC company. If a company or agency fails to provide the services rendered, they must provide a refund. Consumers have protections.
I could not agree more. We had to cancel our international trip due to the pandemic, so there go our chances of interview on arrival. No interview spots available anywhere nearby… $400 of application fees for my family down the drain. We absolutely should be able to request our money back. Only the government can get away for charging for a service they cannot
provide. They should have stopped accepting applications for this program a long time ago when they became unable to process the applications/ schedule interviews in a timely fashion.
Today is exactly 6 months since i applied and my application is still pending. Not sure how many more months it will take.
It has been almost 1 year since I applied and almost 6 months since my application was conditionally approved. I had an interview scheduled in April, which was cancelled. I received an email notification that something changed when my appointment was cancelled. It just told me to check my account. I found a cancelled spot available for 06/02/2020 back in March. I though I was lucky back then. Now, I don’t know I’m lucky anymore as enrollment centers are closed up to 06/01/2020 that might be extended to July or later!
Anyway, please refer to the following:
U.S. Customs and Border Protection will extend the temporary closure of Trusted Traveler Program enrollment centers until at least June 1, 2020.
In response to the COVID-19 outbreak, CBP extended the period of time that Trusted Traveler Program applications remain active. All applicants now have 485 days from the date of their application to complete the enrollment process. In addition, CBP will extend for up to 18 months the Trusted Traveler Program benefits of members who apply for renewal before their current membership expires.
Reference:
https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-extends-temporary-closure-trusted-traveler-program-enrollment
Thanks for the update – I have revised the post to reflect the extended date. Hopefully the Global Entry enrollment centers open up June 1. There is a chance they will since restrictions seem to be easing everywhere.
Update
My 06/02/2020 appointment has just been cancelled. : (
The next available appointment at SFO is in September – more than 15 months after my application was submitted and more than 10 months after I was conditionally approved.
I wonder my application will ever be approved…
485 days from application submission is about 15 month…
They need to extend to 2 years!
They just extended the time to 545 days from the date that CBP conditionally approves your application to complete the enrollment process: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-extends-closure-trusted-traveler-programs-enrollment-centers
I know the interviews are closed for now but are they still processing conditional approvals for new applicants? I applied on 16th March 2020 a few days before they shut things down.
Update – My application was conditionally approved on 18th July exactly 4 months later. I appointments available at my local airport so I tentatively booked one for October at JFK, will most likely have to change it.
I applied for Global Entry (first time) on 01/30/2020 and as of today, still waiting for a conditional approval. My partner applied with me, same time and he received his conditional approval 3 days after. What’s the deal?!
My wife and I applied the same time/day on 01/24/2020.. I got my conditional approval within 2 days and interview this August ..my wife’s still pending as of 06/24/2020
Wife and I applied for renewal Sept 29 2019. She had a new card in her hands in under 1 week. Day 268 and I’m still showing “Pending Review”
Does any one know how long it is taking now to get the conditional approval? It has now been over 8 months for me since I applied and status is still “Pending”.
Hi, mine is still pending after 8 or 9 months.
I finally got conditional approval for my daughter. Applied 1 Oct 2019, Received Approval 26 Jun 2020. Interview scheduled for 18 Sep 2020. Just shy of a 1 year process.
We had to cancel our trip to France in April due to COVID, and therefore lost our opportunity to do the interview on arrival. No appointments available anywhere nearby. I am sick and tired of getting weekly emails telling me to do an interview on arrival instead of trying to schedule an appointment, which is impossible. Who is traveling internationally these days??
$400 down the drain in application fees for our family of four. I am so upset. There really should be a way to request a refund…
My appointment has been cancelled for the third time. It has been over 13 month since I applied for the program and over 8 months since my application was conditionally approved. They notified me for cancellation for the twice but didn’t bother to notify me this time. I just checked the site to make sure that the appointment for this coming Saturday was still there. I’m really upset, too. How can I complete the interview process wi 365 days from the conditionally approved date if they keep cancelling the interview appointment and next appointment is not available at all.
CBP has extended suspension until 08/10. So, if your appointment is before 08/10, you need to check your appointment even if you haven’t received a cancellation email.
Update: The closure has been extended to 09/08/2020
NEW UPDATE: “Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment centers will remain closed until at least September 8, 2020 … Every applicant now has 545 days from the date that CBP conditionally approves his or her application to complete the enrollment process. In addition, CBP will extend for up to 18 months the program benefits of members who apply for renewal before their current membership expires.” Here is the link: https://www.cbp.gov/newsroom/national-media-release/cbp-extends-closure-trusted-traveler-programs-enrollment-centers
My daughter and I just this hour had our Global Entry applications conditionally approved. We had both been waiting since October 10th 2019. Our applications we admittedly complicated – dozens of countries visited and dual-citizens. My wife’s application (same countries, US citizen only) only took 7 days.
Follow-up:
Able to schedule same-day appointments at PHX today. Both completed. Both our expiration dates are our birthday in 2026 so we a re getting over five years validity.
I applied october 2019 im still waiting on approval
No update since last year still waiting for conditional approval.
I finally got my conditional approval last night (8/14) after almost 11 months . Now on to scheduling an interview. Scheduled for September 19th. Hoping all goes well.
I applied in November 2019. Still waiting on approval for an interview.
I applied for Global Entry (first time) on 10/30/2019 and as of today, still waiting for a conditional approval. I call today they inform me that I must wait until the 12 months are up to call again REALLY????!!!
The treatment they gave me over the phone was not the best (Maybe the person who answered my call had a bad day, “I suppose”) but they didn’t even ask for my information, it’s as if your application isn’t a year old, they don’t bother to check.
Here’s my story FWIW. I applied July 22, 2019. I received a Denial Notification March 3, 2020 (they didn’t say why). I wrote asking for reconsideration March 10, 2020. Received Conditional Approval March 20, 2020.
Now the soonest I can get into an interview without doing Enrollment on Arrival is 6/11/21! And that means driving from SF to the Mexico border…
Go US Govt!!
Interviewed today!
My daughter and I applied Oct 11, 2019. We were conditionally approved July 24, 2020. We were unable to schedule interview appointments but heard some would be open for scheduling Sept 8th. I hit the https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov/ website this morning, Sept 8th, and was able to schedule appointments for us both today (PHX). In and out quickly.
Expiration dates are our birthdays in 2026 so we are getting over five year validity.
Interviewed and approved on Friday 9/11. Lots of appointments suddenly opened up all over in the week leading up to Sep 8. I had time on Friday and was able to get one of the several available slots on 9/11.
Timeline:
US citizen
Applied 3/16
Conditional approval 7/18
Approved: 9/11
Valid until 2026!
Also for whoever going in, masks are mandatory. There was a sign not to congregate in the waiting area and seating was available for only 5-6 people. I was the only one so I rang the doorbell, waited for 5 mins and a lady officer came and escorted me in. We were done in 10 mins. She only asked if I had any arrests and I answered in negative. Rest of the time was just photo and fingerprints.
Update: Due to COVID-19 all my appointments have been cancelled. The earliest next apt I could get in my state is Feb 22, 2021. If it goes much past that then my conditional approval will be lost (expires after one year, got it early March 2020). If I get that apt then my total wait time will have been 1 year, 6 months, and 7 days. I don’t even know if I care about having the GE anymore, but I am kind of mad about how poorly the current administration has run this program.
Did you receive a cancellation email? If so, write them back, emphasizing that your conditionally approved date and you are running out of time!
It appears that cancellation email is supposed to be sent to applicants by the officer in charge at the interview location.
When I wrote to SFO office that my time as a conditionally approved applicant was reaching to 365 days soon, he wrote me back that it was extended to 485 days.
I could not agree more. No appointments for interviews available anywhere nearby and interview on arrival no longer an option as we had to cancel our one international trip this year due to COVID-19. I just want my money back…
Applied: 06/03/2019
Conditionally approved: 11/2019
Interviewed: 09/26/2020
Approved: 09/26/2020 (SFO)
Valid until: 10/2025 – my birthday
Almost after 15 months since I applied, I was finally interviewed and my application was approved yesterday, 09/26/2020!
My husband, who applied about a week later, was conditionally approved about 2 weeks after he applied and could schedule an interview soon. On the other hand, mine went through series of unfortunate events and delays. By the time my application was conditionally approved, the GE interview location at SFO temporally closed as CBP officers were sent to the CA/Mexico border. And then COVID-19! When I finally saw availability spot for an interview in April, I grabbed it right way. However, this was cancelled. When I saw a spot available in July, I grabbed it right away. That was cancelled again. I fortunately received a cancellation email for both times. When my first appointment was cancelled I wrote back and complained, emphasizing that I was conditionally approved in 11/2019 and time was running out. When I discover a day before the interview date that my second appointment was cancelled, I was furious because the cancellation email was not received. I wrote them back, using the previous cancellation email and complained that the interview was cancelled for the second time and it had been already 1+ year since I applied and 8 months since I was conditionally approved. I suggested then to allow more time to conditionally approved applicants to be interviewed. I received a cancellation email right a way.
I feel really sorry for my fellow GE applicants who have been waiting for much, much longer!
Please do not give up. You paid $100!
My interview at SFO was 8:45 PM, but I was interviewed around 7:45 PM as I was there early and they had time. SFO has interview slots later than 10:00 PM everyday. I assume other locations also open late to interview more people.
I was a bit worried as I had to go to the airport but saw only few international travelers and GE applicants.
I think GB at SFO are good as they send a cancellation email to conditionally approved applicants, and they actually wrote me back.
Conditionally approved people: Even if you only see appointment slot available far away, grab it and keep monitoring the appointment site every night. You may find an earlier date as people change appointments time to time.
Application pending people: I thing GE is trying to process applications as much as possible now. Be patient and don’t be discouraged.
I hope your application status will be “conditionally approved” soon!
Update
Received a GE card today
I applied in Nov 2019 and I just got my conditional approval in Sept 2020. It probably took me much longer than others because I am not a citizen and I am a legal resident. Also it was pain to try to get an appointment for an interview. The soonest that was available was Sept 2021. But if you continuously check for cancelled spots everyday, you will be able to get in sooner for appt. Luckily I was able to get an appointment that was available the next day so finally just waiting for official approval.
OK…I’m joining the waiting list. I applied and waiting for “Conditional Approval since Dec. 31, 2019. It’s official….I’ve waited 10 months and still counting. Can someone offer a phone number please?
Applied for Global Entry on Jan 21, 2020. Still “pending review” and no conditional approval yet on Oct. 1, 2020. Ugh.
I applied Sept. 17th, 2020. Conditional approval on Sept. 24th Completed interview and received a full approval today, the 8th of October.
My wife and I applied in December of 2019.
She received conditional approved within days.
It’s been almost a year later, and I’m still waiting.
I can only surmise that it’s due to the fact that, since my father was in the Army, I was born on a US hospital base in Turkey.
I’ve been waiting since December, 2019 also. I’m just a girl who was born and raised in South Carolina. Nothing unusual about me except I DID remarry…to a retired Navy Officer. I’m still waiting with you. I called and they told me that they are NOW putting applications in order they were received rather than doing just random. SOOOO, you and I should be on top of the “pecking order”….it’s about time! Let’s see if we are conditionally approved in the next month. What a travesty!!! This is the way it should had been done from the very beginning!!!
8 months and going! Application submitted and paid for on 2/17/20 for both me and my wife. She was approved within 2 months, but I’m still waiting. No criminal history. WTH?!
I waited 10 months and two weeks for conditional approval. I basically gave up a couple of months ago, assuming the delay was somehow covid related. It finally happened and I had my interview yesterday! Be patient, and hang in there.
Whoa whoa whoa…..Waited 10.5 months. Got notice yesterday evening for approval and next to set up interview. OMG!!! There was an opening today (less than 24 hours). I guess someone cancelled. I’ve did my interview and now just to wait to receive my card in the mail. Wow…..such a long time! I can’t believe it finally happened.
Hubby and I applied at the same time four days ago, his first, mine about 30 minutes later. Somehow I was conditionally approved in 28 hours, he is still waiting. Interview for me is in 6 weeks.
I applied on Feb 10th 2020 and was just conditionally approved on Dec 27th 2020. There were no appointments available near me so I am flying into Miami in two weeks for my interview.
My wife and I both applied on 12/30/2020. She was conditionally approved the next day on 12/31/2020. As of 1/25/2021, I am still waiting.
I was born here in the United States, and my wife was born overseas. (She is a naturalized US citizen though) Not sure if those applications go into a different queue.
I have the opposite scenario where my wife was conditionally approved in 2 days (US born) and I’m still waiting (born overseas but naturalized). Glad to see your experience as I originally thought the delay might have something to do with me not being US born but I see it’s pretty random.
I applied June 29, 2020 and received conditional approval Feb. 13, 2021. Not as long as others on this post. My husband applied the exact same day as me (within minutes) and got approval the next day. Seems to me best to separate the applications by a day or two. Interview times then varied from 4 mo to 12 months then one for tomorrow opened up, so I snagged it. Check daily. For CA, LAX and SFO have many more than San Diego.
It really depends on each individual. My husband submitted his application at 9pm on Sep 17 2021, and got conditional approval the following morning at 7:30am. I was so surprised because my renewal process took about 5 months to get conditional approval. (Note: this is his first application).
My daughter who is 20 applied on March 21 and March 22 she received the conditional approval
My other daughter who is 14 applied on February 12. Up until now March 25 she still have not received the conditional approval. 🙂
I submitted my application on Feb 1,2023 and its April 17, 2023
Application is still pending approval.. This is very frustrating…..