How Long Does It Take to Get Global Entry?

Quick Answer

Global Entry takes 2–6 months from the time you submit your application to completing your enrollment interview. The timeline breaks down into two phases: 1–3 months for CBP to review your application and grant conditional approval, then 1–4 months to find and complete an in-person interview at an enrollment center.

Step-by-Step Process

Step	Timeline	Details
Create a Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account	15 minutes	Apply at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov
Submit application and pay $100 fee	30 minutes	Non-refundable; covers 5-year membership
Background check and conditional approval	2–12 weeks	CBP reviews criminal, customs, and immigration records
Schedule enrollment center interview	Varies widely	Depends on center availability (major bottleneck)
Complete in-person interview	10–15 minutes	Fingerprints, photo, brief interview at an enrollment center
Receive Known Traveler Number (KTN)	Same day	Active immediately after interview
Receive Global Entry card in the mail	2–3 weeks	Optional — the KTN is all you need

Conditional Approval vs. Interview

Once you are conditionally approved, you are not yet enrolled. You must complete an in-person interview at a CBP enrollment center. This interview is the biggest bottleneck — popular centers like JFK, LAX, and Chicago O'Hare often have wait times of 2–4 months for available appointments.

Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) is a faster alternative. If you are conditionally approved and returning from an international trip, you can complete your interview with a CBP officer upon landing at a participating airport — no appointment needed. This can save you months of waiting.

Enrollment Centers and Wait Times

There are over 50 Global Entry enrollment centers across the U.S. and at select airports abroad. Wait times vary dramatically:

• Short waits (1–3 weeks): Smaller airports and land border crossings (e.g., Buffalo, El Paso, Detroit)
• Moderate waits (1–2 months): Mid-size airports (e.g., Denver, Seattle, Houston)
• Long waits (2–4+ months): Major hubs (e.g., JFK, LAX, SFO, ORD)

Check appointments frequently — cancellations open up spots on short notice. Several free services and apps monitor enrollment center availability and send alerts when appointments become available.

Global Entry vs. TSA PreCheck vs. NEXUS

Program	Cost	Duration	Includes TSA PreCheck?	Best For
TSA PreCheck	$78	5 years	Yes	Domestic flyers only
Global Entry	$100	5 years	Yes	International travelers to/from the U.S.
NEXUS	$50	5 years	Yes + Global Entry benefits	U.S.–Canada frequent crossers
SENTRI	$122.25	5 years	Yes + Global Entry benefits	U.S.–Mexico border crossers

Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck at no extra cost. For just $22 more than PreCheck alone, you get expedited customs clearance when entering the U.S. from abroad. NEXUS is the best value at $50 — it includes Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and expedited entry into Canada, but requires an interview at a Canada–U.S. border location.

Renewal

Global Entry memberships last 5 years. You can renew up to 1 year before expiration through the TTP website. Renewal costs $100 and requires a background check but typically does not require a new in-person interview — most renewals are processed entirely online within 6–8 weeks.

Start the renewal process at least 6 months before your expiration date to avoid any gap in coverage.

How to Pay Less

Many premium credit cards reimburse the $100 Global Entry fee as a cardholder benefit, including the Chase Sapphire Reserve, American Express Platinum, Capital One Venture X, and Citi Prestige. Check your card benefits before paying out of pocket.