V-Flyer

Hi folks, looking for some advice. I’ve trawled through posts and also checked GOV and CBP websites but can’t see an answer to this question (unless I’be missed it) or am getting conflicting info.

I’m about to apply for GE and want to try and schedule my interview either at JFK in November or MCO next April so want to avoid applying too soon or too late. Once conditionally approved do you have 6 months to schedule the interview or 365 days? I have seen both mentioned so any advice would be gratefully received.

You have 365 days, see this page for details.

Now when I applied for my GE back in 2015, my conditional approval letter (which I still have) mentioned having to make your initial interview appointment within 30 days of you receiving your conditional approval. The interview can be scheduled anything up to 365 days in the future. You can also amend your interview date and/or location as needed. I cannot see anything now that still mentions this initial 30 day rule though?

The average application time for GE is now 11 weeks so you need to take that into account as well when applying.

Many thanks James.

This page was the one I had seen which mentions 365 days so I’ll take that as gospel

Some people are reporting about 100 days to get approval. I'd start it soon.

You can still try for an interview on arrival though if you are conditionally approved before you go.

Apply now.

Don't try and time it for a particular trip because given some of the timelines for approval I see on flyer talk that strategy may just not work. Some people get CA within a couple of weeks some it is over 3 months with no apparent reason for the difference.

Thanks folks- I’ll get right on it.

Applications now submitted for myself and Mrs M. We'll see how long it takes.

Wait times for connected things that I've had if interested:

Passport Renewal : 6 days from passport's arrival at office until posted out (plus posting/courier at each end).

ESTA Renewal : Paid with Paypal. Sat at pending for 1.5 hours before I received Paypal receipt, when I checked at 2 hours it was approved.

Global Entry : GOV.UK Approval and pass code 14 hours.

Now the long wait....