Nowadays with inefficiencies of the TSA at security checkpoints and the perks offered by credit cards (i.e., reimbursement for application fees), Global Entry is becoming more and more appealing to travelers. Global Entry enrollment lasts for 5 years, and the application fee is $100, which is only $15 more than the TSA pre-check program.
I chose Global Entry because it allows me to get into the expedited Global Entry customs line when traveling internationally. In addition to that you will get the same perks of TSA pre-check as you will get with just the pre-check program. However, the application process is a little bit more involved with Global Entry and will take a longer time, mainly because there is a huge backlog of applicants waiting to be interviewed by TSA officers. Alternatively you can try to do a walk in, but plan to stay all day if you do so. They do allow a certain number of walk-ins a day, and the quota usually gets filled very quickly. Even if you make in as part of the walk in quota, you really don’t know when you will be called. I have read that at SFO people start lining up at 5AM, so if you really have the time….
I applied for the Global Entry program in May of this year, and at that time the earliest time slot for an interview at SFO was in December! I signed up for a slot but continued to check the website, in case of cancellations. Shortly after, the Global Entry program expanded its hours to be 24 hours, so I was able to get a slot in September.
Getting an appointment was the hard part. The interview process was a breeze, as long as you make sure you have the right documents with you. For the interview, you will need to bring the letter for conditional approval (download from online portal), your passport, and proof of residency such driver’s license or utility bill. When it was time for my appointment, an officer came out from the office and brought me into the interview room. There an officer checked my documents and validated the information on my application, such as current address and occupation. He pulled up countries I have visited in the last 5 years and probed on some of those trips. Finally he asked me to estimate the # of international and domestic trips I plan to take in a year, and whether they would be for leisure or for business. After 20 minutes (and most of the time it was the officer checking my information and inputting data) and final fingerprinting work, I was approved! The Global Entry card would arrive in a few weeks, but I could start using the # provided in the approval letter as my Known Traveler Number right away. And that was it!
Besides the long wait time, the actual interview process was very short and easy. It’s totally worth it especially since the lines are only getting longer at security checkpoints. One thing to note though – you will need to re-enroll if your passport expires before the 5 years is up. It’s something to keep in mind if your passport is expiring soon. It might make sense to get a new passport first before enrolling in the program. Good luck!