Global Entry Program Interview 2024: A Comprehensive Guide to the Interview Process - Wego Travel Blog (2024)

This article has been reviewed by Wego’s editorial team to ensure that the

Updated October 2024

Key takeaways

• First-time Global Entry applicants must schedule an interview at an enrollment center or use Enrollment on Arrival (EoA).

• Required documents include a valid passport, proof of residency, and more.

• Renewals can be completed via remote interviews using Zoom.

How to schedule the Global Entry interview?

The U.S. Global Entry initiative is under the Trusted Traveler Program (TTP), supervised by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

To fully enjoy the benefits of the U.S. Global Entry Program, applicants must first complete the application process, submit their application and pay the required fees.

Book cheap flights to the US

First time applicants

Applicants who are applying for the U.S. Global Entry Program for the first time and are conditionally approved must proceed with a thorough interview process.

Required documents

In attending your interview, you must present the following documents:

• Valid passport
• Proof of residency (i.e., driver’s license, utility bill, mortgage statement). Please note that a proof of residency is not required for minor applicants.
• A machine readable permanent resident card (in case of a lawful permanent resident).

Please note that due to tight security measures, additional documents that can serve as proof of identity and status are required to be prepared and brought into the interview.

Scheduling process

You may schedule your interview in one of the nearest enrollment center or opt for the Enrollment on Arrival (EoA).

The Enrollment on Arrival (EoA)

The Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) is CBP program that permits Global Entry conditionally approved applicants to complete their interviews upon arriving in the United States, including those entering the United States via a designated CBP Preclearance location. The program, hence, eliminates the need for a Global Entry applicant to schedule an interview at an enrollment center to complete the application process.

Upon arriving at an international terminal, follow the signage directing you to CBP officers, who can conduct your Global Entry interview during the admissibility inspection. In case of assistance for Global Entry interview because of a disability, please inform the interviewing CBP officer of your need for a reasonable modification or auxiliary aid or service to participate in the interview.

You can find out the complete list of participating EoA airports from theU.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

Enrollment center

Another way of scheduling your interview process is via enrollment centers. After accepting your completed application, CBP will conduct a review. If your application is conditionally approved, your TTP account will instruct you to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. However, each applicant must schedule a separate interview.

Please note that 80% of applications are approved within 2 weeks, while some applications can take up to 12 months or longer to be processed.

Questions

Before the interview, you can prepare for the interview by coming up with answers to possible questions such as the following:

• Residence and nationality information
• Reason for application
• Confirmation of accuracy of application details
• Applicant’s background information and history on travel and customs

Applicants applying for renewal

The Trusted Traveler Program (TTP) members applying for a Global Entry Program renewal can schedule a remote interview by logging into their TTP dashboard. The interview is completed remotely via video teleconference.

Please note that first-time applicants are not yet eligible for remote interview.

Prerequisites

Applicants are required to meet the following prerequisites to be eligible to apply for the remote interview:

• Be conditionally approved for renewal application
• Applicant should be at least 18 years old
• Have a registered photo with the CBP taken within the past 10 years after the applicant was 14 years old
• Have previously submitted fingerprints to the CBP.
• Applicants must ensure their computer, tablet, or smartphone has a working microphone and camera as CBP will use Zoom as the government video conferencing software to conduct the remote interviews.

Required documents

Applicants are required to present the following documents during their remote interview:

• A valid passport. Applicants should bring all of their current passports to the interview so the information can be added to their file.
• Documents providing proof of residency, including a driver’s license, mortgage statement, rental payment statement, or utility bill that features the applicant’s current home address.
• A permanent residence card (if applicable).

Scheduling process

To schedule a remote interview, follow the steps given below:

• Log into your TTP dashboard and select the “Scheduling Your Remote Interview” link.
• Verify your e-mail address of record by using the “Edit Profile” link prior to scheduling a remote interview.
• After scheduling, you will be able to access a virtual waiting room up to 15 minutes prior to the scheduled interview time through the TTP dashboard or the CBP OneTM Mobile Application (iOS, Android).