First test of Global Entry

After having had my CBP interview in September and approved for the US Global Entry system, I got to try it for the first time at JFK last week.

Perfect! The kiosks are right at the other end of the immigration hall to the VS side, right up against the wall. They seemed to be bit of a mess, but several were free so I just walked up and used one. Within about 60 seconds I was waiting by the baggage belt.

Very nice!

Nice. My interview is in a few weeks but arriving via SNN so no need for Global Entry on that visit, but next time it's LAX, and heard a few tales of long lines there.

I had my interview last Wednesday, very easy process and got to try it out last night - best christmas present ever! So easy... all we need now is super speedy delivery of luggage and exiting JFK will be heaven!

So may I ask.......you arrange your interview in advance. Can you arrange it to coincide with, say your arrival on a specific trip into the USA, or to take place whilst you are in the USA for whatever purpose? (Or do they give you a date and then you have to travel, perthaps specially, to fit to it?) How does that all work; how much notice do they need, where is the interview? Any pointers as to the process, once you've paid your fee and applied would be interesting. Thanks, guys.

Hey HT..

Once you've got your police certificate and that is processed stateside - you are invited to book an interview. Locations here in NYC are at JFK and EWR. The choice of slots when i booked mine were plentiful. They do allow walk-in though it was very busy with those of us who'd pre-booked.

I'd suggest getting in right away as the trail closes on 31st December.

There is also an enrollment center in downtown Manhattan, but with limited availability.

Thanks. Unlikely I'll get in before the end of the year so will have to wait until it's resurrected or whatever.

You only need to submit your application before the deadline, you can schedule the interview for any time.

I see. Thanks again.

You only need to submit your application before the deadline, you can schedule the interview for any time.

Having just looked at the help section on the Global Entry website, it says you need to schedule the interview within 30 days of receiving the online notice of conditional approval, and it must be conducted within 90 days of the said conditional approval.

My question for those who have already applied and been successful is - roughly how long from submitting your application to receiving the conditional approval did it take ?

i'm looking to submit mine now, but am not in the USA again till May 2014, so didn't want to submit then get a yes and not be able to schedule within the 90 days

Thanks

For me it was 4 weeks between submitting the application online and getting conditional approval. I actually got that conditional approval while I was in the US and had taken the police certificate with me just in case.

When I looked for available slots for interviews they were looking to be at least 3 months out at that time - so they must have improved now since there was no 90 day limit when I got approved in September. The only criteria was you had to have booked the interview within 30 days of conditional approval but it would be scheduled many months into the future.

I had planned to try my luck at a walk in apt but one opened up for JFK at 6pm and I was on VS10 that night. When I was there it was not busy and they saw a guy who just walked in without an appointment at the same time as me.

I submitted app on Sep 17th and got conditional approval on Oct 29th, Interview was on Dec 2nd and approved same day (interview lasted less than 5 mins!)

Will use GE for fist time in mid Jan hopefully be a breeze!

I've been using it for a year now, and it is unbelievably wonderful. Highly recommend it to any regular traveler.

Costs $100 in the USA, and if you're platinum Amex (or higher) they refund that to you. valid 5 years, so its... $20 a year, if Mr Mathews maths class taught me anything about sums.

Only tragedy was that meanwhile back in Blighty, they went and did away with the Eye-Scan entry (or whatever it was called) ! So I'm back off the line there now, till I update my passport. I had no problems with the retina scanning, but understood others did.

As a member of Global Entry, today I was invited to participate in TSA Pre-Check. Previously I believe this was only offered to US Citzens?

Since I typically travel with VS from the US it doesn't really offer much right now, but if I end up using a US airline it coudl be useful.

It's great isn't it, and pre-check too.

Yes the pre-check invitation surprised me as I thought that was US Citizens only.

Now if only VS would sign up so we can use it on the way back!

I've added my PAssID to my VX bookings, will see what happens.

If you're not removing belts and stuff though, aren't you going to set the metal detectors off more?

GE is indeed a life changer and well worth the effort for even the relatively frequent flyer.

ISTBC but as far as I know, TSA Pre is currently only open to US Citizens and LPRs. I am an LPR and have had GE since it's inception but I had to register/pay separately for TSA Pre. The PASSID on my GE card does not afford Pre as I am not a citizen and my KTN is a different number altogether. But again, well worth the $80 and the effort. GE and Pre combined save me hours every month!

I was considering applying for a precheck, would there be any benefit if I fly with VS?

I believe PreCheck was only available for US citizens before. However that might be changing As a Brit I applied for an was accepted for Global Entry towards the end of last year.

About 2 weeks ago I received an email to confirm that I had been also enrolled now in Pre Check.

Sadly VS doesn't currently participate so no use there, but VX does.

I read that CBP are no longer accepting applications from UK Citizens for Global entry... Glad I got it while I could!

I read that CBP are no longer accepting applications from UK Citizens for Global entry... Glad I got it while I could!

Have just been supplied with a code from VS so will be doing mine today, be interesting to see if it goes through as it was supposed to end, at the end of last year

I read that CBP are no longer accepting applications from UK Citizens for Global entry... Glad I got it while I could!

Have just been supplied with a code from VS so will be doing mine today, be interesting to see if it goes through as it was supposed to end, at the end of last year

Did my application online with the code from VS (they gave me it Thursday ) and it's gone through ok, just awaiting the interview date. So the trial is obviously still ongoing

I read that CBP are no longer accepting applications from UK Citizens for Global entry... Glad I got it while I could!

Have just been supplied with a code from VS so will be doing mine today, be interesting to see if it goes through as it was supposed to end, at the end of last year

Did my application online with the code from VS (they gave me it Thursday ) and it's gone through ok, just awaiting the interview date. So the trial is obviously still ongoing

Just received conditional approval for myself and Mrs Chumba, interviews scheduled for a couple of weeks when we are in MCO. All worked out perfectly, so the "trial" is obviously still ongoing. y)

GE at LAX was great. I think I was the only one at the baggage belts by the time my bag had come off, and then quickly through customs via a dedicated line.

It might even make me go back to LHR for my NYC trips! (though it'll be hard not to book the Baby Bus from LCY)