Global Entry interview

My wife and I went through the process last Monday, check in at security, directed to the main building, followed signs to the 2nd floor via lift, turn left out of lift to the end of the room, turn left ,interview booths are on the left.
Wait be called in, joint interview lasted about 10 minutes, questions as posted on other replies. Very efficient process, biggest difficulty finding taxi back to hotel, hope this helps.

Have had my GE conditional approval through - appointment booked at the US Embassy for the week after next.

We've made a day trip of it, so as to take advantage of cheap off-peak train fares from the Midlands. (Only I need GE, girlfriend has a visa for work). How far ahead of my appointment would people on here who have done GE interviews recommend advising on arriving at the US Embassy?

We'll only "enjoy ourselves" after my GE interview, which is early afternoon. Before that it's coffee / water only. After the interview we'll take advantage of the local hostelries in London as neither of us are driving when we get back to the Midlands, or the next day!

Just got back from my Global Entry interview - a very easy and painless process.

For anyone who still has one to do at Nine Elms, just follow the instructions on your appointment letter - they are pretty accurate. The blue gazebo at the South entrance is the one you need (US Citizen Services) and there was no queue here, unlike at the red gazebo for US Visa Services. A standard airport-style security check follows, but you can take a bottle of water in with you here. Once through security you proceed to the Embassy entrance.

There are 3 or 4 lanes to the right with red signs - all are for Visa appointments. Go to the blue US Citizen Services lane on the left and if there is no official at the front of the queue (wasn't this afternoon), enter the Embassy. There was a big queue inside of people checking-in for Visa appointments - go round this queue either to the left or the right, pass the reception desk and turn right to the lifts. Up to the 2nd floor for US Citizen Services. When out of the lift turn right and head for the reception desk - I was stopped by a G4S security guy before the desk & said I was here for Global Entry. It's a left turn, down to the end of the building, left again then a short distance down the corridor are some seats, opposite two doors to the "Privacy Booths" - each has a Global Entry Enrolment sign outside it. Just sit and wait here. After a short while a "customer" emerged from one of the booths (I was the only person waiting at this time) and said "If you're next, go in".

The interview was with a very friendly female officer (not in uniform). All very informal & nothing at all to catch you out - the officer even joked and laughed during the interview. Questions were basically "Why do you want Global Entry?", then a run-through of my personal / application details. Got asked why I had visited the UAE (declared it on the application) and a simple answer satisfied the officer. Passport & Driving Licence both checked, mug-shot and fingerprints taken and then she clicked the Approve button. She ran through how Global Entry works & TSA Pre-check. Seems GE / TSA-Pre is valid for 5yrs until your next birthday. If it was a straight 5yrs my expiry date should be 9th April 2023, but it is xx Dec 2023 (my birthday is in December, so I've got 8 bonus months). I had the email advising of change of Trusted Traveler Program status before I left the Embassy grounds. My appointment was 13:45 - I arrived at the security checkpoint at 13:20 and was seated outside the interview booths by 13:30. Was outside the Embassy grounds by 13:45, so time to visit our favourite All Bar One in London!

I look forward to using Global Entry in June... or possibly before.

[buns]

Kraken

Thanks for the very useful Embassy process overview.
Certainly will consider it once I have renewed my Passport - which is due early next year.

buns

Had my interview today. Had a lovely lady who was very friendly but professional. Just a couple of general questions about why I wanted it and how often I visited the US. Photo and fingerprints taken as well.

I was seen 15 minutes before my 13.00 appointment and it took less than 10 minutes.

She explained the GE process on arrival into the US as well as pre Check.

She emphasised the need that tickets should be in the same name as my passport for it to work (including middle name)

My email came through about 1 1/2 hours later as she said her system was slow.

And to reiterate what Kraken posted on arrival you follow the BLUE American Citizens Services signs both through security, the entry into the main building and then when on the 2nd floor. You do not want to be in the RED visa line. There was a queue for that outside then inside and I'd hate to think what the line on the 1st floor where they are seen was like!

I thought the Embassy building was great. Not the fortress the media have made it out to be. The 'moat' is more like a large pond and there is a garden to sit in as well. Yes there are armed UK police patrolling but I only saw 4 police in total. Without the large United States Embassy sign engraved into a wall overlooking the pond you would think it was just an office block.


BUNS - there is no need to wait until you get a new passport to apply as you are able to update your passport number and expiry date once you have been approved.

The current round of UK based interviews finishes in early May but I'm sure they will have them again. As you have a year between being given conditional approval and having the interview you have some flexibility to see which comes first - a visit to the US where you can also arrange an interview and another UK round

[buns]

BUNS - there is no need to wait until you get a new passport to apply as you are able to update your passport number and expiry date once you have been approved.

The current round of UK based interviews finishes in early May but I'm sure they will have them again. As you have a year between being given conditional approval and having the interview you have some flexibility to see which comes first - a visit to the US where you can also arrange an interview and another UK round

Thanks for the clarification Tonty. As much as i would like to aim for the May slot, it is probable that both mrs Buns and I would not be able to get things together in time (an upcoming US visit may have something to do with that ).

Thanks all the same and will most probably get the ducks in the row for later this year.

buns

May would be tight as they only have dates until the end of the 1st week of May.

All in all it took

Friday 9th March - Applied for UK clearance.

Tuesday 13th March - UK clearance granted and given the authorisation code needed for the GE application

Friday 16th March - submitted the GE application

Tuesday 3rd April - conditional GE approval given and interview arranged

Tuesday 10th April - Interview date (there were some earlier dates available but I was away so this was the 1st day I could do)

So all in all 4-5 weeks but I guess it would have been quicker if I had done the GE application quicker and could chose an earlier appointment time.

Best thing we’ve done in years getting Global Entry! I’d expected to need to enter my KTN at the kiosk on arrival but it’s simply a case of placing your passport in the reader & the system instantly pulls us your details. Less than 30 seconds later you’re done, just pass the Customs slip to officer on exit. Love it that we no longer have to complete the paper customs form on the flight!

[mitchja]

The only thing with Global Entry is that in most cases, you no longer get a passport stamp! (I know some people still like to collect those)

I did get one at MIA though a few months ago though even after using Global Entry as the agent took my GE print out and also stamped my passport as well. First time the that has happened since I've had GE!

If you're enrolled in Global Entry, does the TSA-Pre+ appear on a mobile boarding pass?

It does, yes.

[mitchja]

You need to link your Known Traveller Number / GE membership number with the airline first though.

Just make sure you save your Known Traveller number in your Flying Club online profile or enter it in the 'secure flight' section of any VS bookings you have already made.

Once it's saved in your Flying Club profile any new bookings made whilst logged in will pull that info through and populate the secure flight fields automatically.

Absolutely LOVED using Global Entry at JFK last week!

It took all of 30 seconds to get through immigration. Couldn't have been easier. Only problem was that we were through so fast (literally 2 mins after leaving plane, as gate was right next to immigration) that we had a 10-15 min wait for the luggage.

Absolutely LOVED using Global Entry at JFK last week!

It took all of 30 seconds to get through immigration. Couldn't have been easier. Only problem was that we were through so fast (literally 2 mins after leaving plane, as gate was right next to immigration) that we had a 10-15 min wait for the luggage.

That's about how long it took my wife and I to get through immigration at JFK in December 2016 using the machines as returning ESTA visitors, and we don't have Global Entry. From leaving the plane, we got through immigration, collected our luggage, got through customs and were in a taxi in just over 10 mins!

In San Francisco in September 2015, we were in the airport's railway station waiting for a train into the city about 20 mins after leaving the plane. Our longest recent wait through US immigration was in Philadelphia last August where we had to wait a few minutes for the people in front of us at the immigration desk (not a problem as we had a 4 hour layover).

It always seems to take us longer using the automated gates when we return to the UK, especially for my wife who can never get them to work and always has to go up to the desk (I always fly through).

Global Entry

Used the first time at SNN. Straight to the machine, put in my passport and the machine took my photo before I knew it or read the instructions! Very quick. fingerprints from one hand only. Machine spat out a slip to give to the CBP officer as well as a receipt that showed my admission to the US date and the expiry date of the WT visa (i.e. the equivalent of the stamp in the passport.

Then called over to an officer ahead of the normal line to be asked a couple of customs questions.

All very quick and much better than my last experience at SNN which involved a most unpleasant officer.


Pre Check JFK and ORD

Due to begin able to use AA Flagship check-in at both airports (thanks to being BA Gold) I was shown straight to the head of the queue - ahead even of other pre-check passengers.

Far, far easier than the usual palaver as could keep shoes / belts on / liquids and ipad kept in bag. It appeared to help to empty pockets of metal - keys / coins / phone etc. But the signs don't say that (well the ones I did didn't).

One issue is that the pre check lines don't use any trays which slows down the feeding of bags into the scanner as wheels get stuck in the rollers.

You shouldn't be asked questions. Makes ex Dub or Ex Snn a waste of time.

Can I just check what you have to take with you to the interview, is it just your passport and your pink photo driving license?

You shouldn't be asked questions. Makes ex Dub or Ex Snn a waste of time.

The questions were purely customs related plus he had to show me the picture of my bag.

I prefer the CWLCY service for other reasons than for pre-clearance.

Can I just check what you have to take with you to the interview, is it just your passport and your pink photo driving license?

My ‘letter’ also mentioned proof of address - bank statement/ council tax/ utility etc which I took with me but wasn’t asked to show. The agent just asked me verbally to confirm my address.

Pre Check JFK and ORD

Due to begin able to use AA Flagship check-in at both airports (thanks to being BA Gold) I was shown straight to the head of the queue - ahead even of other pre-check passengers.

Far, far easier than the usual palaver as could keep shoes / belts on / liquids and ipad kept in bag. It appeared to help to empty pockets of metal - keys / coins / phone etc. But the signs don't say that (well the ones I did didn't).

One issue is that the pre check lines don't use any trays which slows down the feeding of bags into the scanner as wheels get stuck in the rollers.

The AA Flagship service at JFK is great! Nice lounges too - the Bridge lounge was empty when we last went, mainly because they don't tell anyone about it.

TSA Pre is a fantastic benefit of GE IMO.

Regarding Customs, as a GE member you are expected to be 100% upfront and fully aware of all rules, if you get caught out they will more than likely remove your GE membership, so its always worth declaring anything you have.
The process does seem to take (slightly) longer at pre-clearance stations though.

I was shown into The Bridge last week - more details when I write the TR.

I saw a story last week about a passenger who was fined $500 and was stripped of her GE for not declaring an apple she was given in a snack box on a flight. And she was a US citizen so it does show that they are strict about it.

You shouldn't be asked questions. Makes ex Dub or Ex Snn a waste of time.

Having GE does not mean you’re no longer subject to customs checks, random or otherwise. Some airports have a fast track lane, and at others you may not even notice you’ve been through customs, but you can still be stopped and questioned like everyone else.

Just a heads up for anyone flying BA out of the USA, ask at check-in to add your KTN to the booking before they print off your boarding pass. BA are 'unofficially' part of TSA-Pre now.

They are part of the scheme but haven't announced it due to some systems issues, but it all works fine at the airport.

Reports on flyer talk that yes they can manually add it.

Also that KTNs are transferring to BA systems from AA bookings as well (where it is in AA accounts of course)

They just need to have a pre lane at JFK T7 now!

Apparently they are using coloured slips on the priority security (the one with the slope) lane - so pre-lite

Just received our conditional acceptance. Looking to have interviews on arrival at LAS in August. Has anybody any experience of where and how we do this and how long it takes.

Thanks in advance

David