Helpful Tips for Global Entry Application

Global entry comes with great benefits. You can skip the lines at passport control and customs when entering the United States and also enjoy TSA PreCheck, Nexus and Sentri. Other cool benefits I particularly enjoy are not having to take out your laptop or having to de-shoe on dirty airport floors. I’d say that if you travel internationally at least once a year, it’s worth it. But you be the judge. It costs money and takes time to apply.

What does it cost? 

The cost of application for Global Entry is $100 per person, even for kids. Plus you have to renew it every five years. But some credit cards like American Express or Chase Sapphire will reimburse part of your cost. We have a Chase Sapphire card that both my husband and I share, and they subsidized the cost of one person’s Global Entry fee.

Who can apply? 

US citizens and permanent residents, and citizens of Germany, the Netherlands, Panama, South Korea, and Mexico are eligible to apply. But TSA PreCheck benefits only apply to Americans.

What’s the process like? 

There are several steps, some of which are time consuming. So the most important advice I can give is to plan ahead!

Here’s what you need to know about applying for Global Entry.

1. You need an unexpired passport to apply. Make sure your passports are current. Passports can take up to eight weeks to renew, unless you pay the expedited fee, in which case it will take between two to four weeks. Not to mention that interview slots for Global Entry can be filled weeks and even months out, depending on the travel season. So it’s absolutely crucial to plan ahead.
2. Each applicant needs a separate account and email. To apply for Global Entry, you’ll need to complete an application through the Trusted Traveler Programs (TPP) website.  The steps are relatively simple. The biggest nuisance, however, is that each applicant, even minors, need their own accounts with their own email addresses. Fortunately, there’s a loophole! If you don’t want to sign up for a whole new email account just for your child, follow this algorithm: youremailaddressname+childname@youremailprovider.com. For instance, if your email address was JohnSmith@gmail.com and your daughter’s name was Janie Smith, then you could enter johnsmith+janiesmith@gmail.com.
3. Make an appointment. Once you’ve been conditionally approved, you’ll be able to make an appointment. Waiting for the interview is by far the most time-consuming part of this process. If your travel date is soon approaching, I suggest checking back frequently for new available slots that may become available from cancellations. The availability of appointments will depend on the season and location you reside in. I live in Los Angeles and the soonest appointment we could book was three weeks out in May. Not too bad, but we cut it really close to our travel date because we had passports to renew. And remember, walk-ins are no longer allowed.
4. Make sure to bring proper ID. Once you book your appointment, be sure to follow instructions and pay special attention to what forms and ID are required for you to bring. If your driver’s license doesn’t reflect your current address, you will need to bring in proof of address via a utility bill.
5. Interview. The interview, at least for us, was rather painless. It took less than 30 minutes. We got there early and they saw us right away. They ask you a few questions and take your fingerprints, which may be a point of consideration for parents who may not want their child fingerprinted. Make sure to schedule the interview within 30 days of being conditionally approved, and do not miss the interview or you may need to reapply again. Both scenarios could cost you another $100 per application.
6. You don’t need to travel with the card.  You don’t need to travel with your Global Entry card. Once you receive your Global Entry cards, enter the information online and it will automatically be synced to your passport. Even if you don’t receive your card in time, you should be able to enjoy the benefits of Global Entry by presenting your passport and Global Entry number.
7. Your boarding pass must indicate TSA PreCheck status. In order to take advantage of TSA PreCheck as a Global Entry member, your boarding pass must be marked TSA PreCheck. If you purchased your airline tickets before you received Global Entry, make sure to update the information either online or at the ticket counter.
8. You can get approved on arrival. You can also get approved when returning from your trip abroad through an initiative called Enrollment on Arrival. Upon landing, visit a dedicated booth where a CBP officer will conduct the interview and collect the necessary information to finish the enrollment process.Enrollment on Arrival is currently available at these airports:
   

   Airports with Enrollment on Arrival
   Austin (AUS)	Phoenix (PHX)
   Dallas-Fort Worth (DFW)	Salt Lake City (SLC)
   Denver (DEN)	San Diego (SAN)
   Detroit (DTW)	San Francisco (SFO)
   Houston Hobby (HOU)	San Jose (SJC)
   Houston International (IAH)	Seattle (SEA)
   Minneapolis (MSP)	Toronto-Pearson (YYZ)
   Philadelphia (PHL)	Vancouver (YVR)

We all know traveling can be exhausting, especially with little ones in tow. Sidestepping some lines and taking advantage of shortcuts might not seem like such a big deal now. But after 12 hours of travel, it may just make all the difference.