Global Entry - What It Is and How to Get It
WHAT IS GLOBAL ENTRY?
Global Entry launched in 2008. It’s an expedited security program which allows you to move through immigration and customs as quickly as possible when leaving, and upon return to, the US. Global Entry has its own setup, so at the airport you'll be directed to separate security lines, and things like removing your shoes, electronics, and liquids are not required. All of this means that you’ll get through security and to your gate faster.
I'd had Global Entry on my To Do list for a very long time, but never saw the urgency in applying. It was something that I always told myself that I’d “get around” to doing. That was, until this past April when I returned to the US from Italy.
My connecting flight was through Charlotte, and as I watched my friend sail through immigration and customs with her Global Entry pass, I realized that I needed to move applying for the program to the top of my list of priorities. Not too long after I returned to the US, I finally applied.
HOW DOES IT DIFFER FROM TSA PRECHECK?
PreCheck is great for those who don’t travel internationally very often, or at all. It offers almost all the same benefits as Global Entry, but it only works for domestic flights. It’s administered by U.S. Transportation Security Administration rather than Homeland Security. However, if you fly internationally more than once a year, I recommend Global Entry (which includes PreCheck).
Unfortunately, the Global Entry program doesn't work overseas - you'll still need to do the full security process when entering other countries. But I can't tell you how nice it is to breeze through security after a long flight back to the US, when you're tired and you just want to get home and take a shower.
HOW TO APPLY
The Global Entry application process is a simple one, but it can take awhile for you to get approved, so I recommend you apply well before your upcoming trip abroad if you plan on using it.
Your journey to approval begins by going to the Trusted Traveler Program website. Here you'll find links to all of the programs under the Trusted Traveler umbrella: TSA PreCheck, Global Entry, SENTRI, NEXUS and FAST.
Fill out the application in full (you can save it and return to it later if needed). The questions are pretty straightforward, and will ask you things like the places you've traveled in the last five years, and also what jobs and addresses you had within that time.
Review your application carefully - any incorrect information can cause delays in processing your application. After you verify the information, pay the application fee ($100). Some credit card companies, especially those cards with travel rewards, will cover the application fee, so be sure your card's terms for details.
Then submit it! If everything goes well, you'll eventually receive an email that says you’re conditionally approved. The length of time to receive this message can vary, so be patient!
SCHEDULING AN INTERVIEW
After receiving conditional approval, things can get a bit hairy. Each applicant is required to do an in-person interview with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection officer. The interview itself is not difficult, but finding a time to DO the interview is. The interview slots are far and few between, and you may need to visit the website daily to see if any have opened up.
In Chicago, where I was applying, I had to schedule my interview for a few months out and made the trek to O'Hare Airport on a weekday to get it done. The good news is that many aiports are now doing interviews on arrival, meaning that upon return to the US after an international flight, you can go straight to the Global Offices and do your interview. If you can’t find an interview slot on the website, I recommend you check to see if your local airport offers this service.
The interview itself is pretty simple. You'll meet with an officer, they'll ask you a few questions, then they'll take your fingerprints, and your picture. You'll leave with your new KTN (Known Traveler Number) that day, and will receive your card in the mail a couple of weeks later.
HOW TO USE YOUR NEW BENEFITS
When purchasing airline tickets, you’ll see a field for your KTN. Make sure you fill this in so that you’re registered as a Trusted Traveler for your flight. When you arrive at the airport, look out for the security lines for Global Entry. Head there, and be delighted at how quickly you get through security screening!
IS IT WORTH IT?
Do I think applying for the program is worth it? ABSOLUTELY. The application fee is only $100 and is good for a period of five years. I’m happy to report that when I returned from Italy in October, I sailed past the long immigration and customs lines and was through security in no more than 10 minutes. And there’s nothing better than that!
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hi there, I’m angi the founder of roam & gather. My mission is to curate joy-centered, small group journeys that are relaxed, intimate, and rooted in culture, community and slowness.
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