Global Entry is an incredibly useful program for anyone who travels internationally with any frequency. I’ve now had Global Entry for over a decade, and just went through the process of renewing my membership. I wanted to outline how that works in this post (I’ve separately written about how to apply for Global Entry).
In this post:
What is Global Entry?
For those not familiar, Global Entry is a US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. With this program, approved members can enter the United States using automatic kiosks at virtually all international airports.
At the kiosks, members simply have to enter their passport or permanent resident card into the machine, place their fingerprints on the scanner or use the facial recognition feature, and then complete a basic customs declaration. Members are then issued a transaction receipt, and can proceed directly to baggage claim and the exit (unless they’re selected for additional screening).
Over the past decade, Global Entry has probably saved me dozens of hours. Back in the day I’d be stressed when landing back in the United States, wondering if I’d be stuck in an hour-long immigration queue. Nowadays I can just breeze right through.
Global Entry renewal basics
Before I share a step-by-step guide of my Global Entry renewal experience, let me share some basics about the timeline, how much it costs, etc.
How long is Global Entry valid for?
Global Entry is valid for roughly five years after you’re approved. The reason I say “roughly” is because it’s valid for five years from your next birthday. In other words, if your birthday is December 1, and you apply January 1, 2022, your membership would be valid through December 1, 2027.
If you strategically apply for Global Entry, you can get it for almost six years with one membership. Just apply shortly after your birthday.
How do you determine when your Global Entry expires?
Generally speaking you’ll get an email six months before your Global Entry expires informing you of the upcoming expiration. If you want to look for it in your email, that usually comes from [email protected].
Alternatively you can log into your Trusted Traveler Program dashboard, and go to the section that lists your program status. You’ll see the expiration date listed there.
When can you renew your Global Entry?
You can apply to have your Global Entry renewed up to a year before the expiration date. There’s no penalty for renewing early, in the sense that it will still be valid for five years from when your membership currently expires, and not five years from when you’re approved. So you might as well renew early.
You won’t want to let your membership lapse, since the process is more complicated for a lapsed membership. Be sure to apply for renewal well before your Global Entry is set to expire.
Is there a grace period for Global Entry renewal?
There is a grace period for Global Entry renewal, as long as you submit your renewal application before your membership expires:
- Historically there has been a six month grace period
- Due to a significant increase in application volume, the grace period is currently one year
If you do submit your application but aren’t approved before the expiration, you’ll continue to be able to use Global Entry the same way as before during that period.
How much does it cost to renew Global Entry?
It costs $100 to renew Global Entry. Fortunately, many credit cards offer a fee credit toward Global Entry renewal. Note that in all cases, you can use your credit for anyone — so if you have extra credits, you can use them for friends and family to renew their Global Entry.
Do you have to be interviewed for Global Entry renewal?
When you first apply for Global Entry you have to be interviewed (historically this was only possible in-person, but since the pandemic this can also be done virtually). Do you need to be interviewed when you renew? It depends:
- Some people who apply for renewal get a full approval without having to attend an in-person interview
- Some people who apply for renewal have to attend an interview
- The good news is that if you do need to attend an interview, you can simply do so when you return to the United States with your next trip
What happens to Global Entry if your passport expires?
While only tangentially related, what happens if you have to renew your passport before your Global Entry expires? The good news is that it’s a really easy process.
You just have to log into your account on the Trusted Traveler Programs website and update your passport number there. Your Global Entry will then continue to apply with the new passport up until the Global Entry expiration date. See this post for more details on how that works.
Step-by-step guide to renewing Global Entry
On January 27, 2022, I started the process of renewing my Global Entry application. My current membership expires April 20, 2022, though as long as I submitted my application by then, I’d have a one year grace period.
To renew your Global Entry membership you’ll want to go to the Trusted Traveler Programs website, and click “LOG IN” at the top right under the “Returning GE/NEXUS/SENTRI/FAST Member/Applicants” heading.
Note that back in 2017 the government migrated from the Global Online Enrollment System (GOES). So if you don’t yet have a new Trusted Traveler Programs profile, you’ll have to set that up first, which is a quick process.
Once logged in you’ll see your current Global Entry membership, and underneath that you should see a “Renew Membership” option listed, assuming you’re within the renewal period.
There you’ll be able to select the program you want to apply for or renew, which in this case would be Global Entry.
Essentially the Global Entry renewal application contains all the information you submitted the last time around, so you just have to confirm that it’s correct and update any outdated information.
This includes reviewing your personal information, documents, driver’s license, address, employment info, travel history, and more.
You do have to upload a copy of your passport during the process.
The only slightly complicated part of this process is having to update your travel history, as you have to list all of the countries that you’ve been to since the last time that you applied (which in my case was January 2017). So yeah, that took a second for me.
At some points the process of reviewing info isn’t very intuitive, as you have to click a lot of unnecessary buttons confirming that nothing has changed. But it’s pretty self explanatory. I’d say the whole process up until this point took me about 15 minutes, and that includes having to recall all the counties that I’ve been to in the past five years (which is quite a few).
To finish off the process you just have to certify that all of the information that you’re providing is accurate, and then you have to pay.
When you pay, make sure you use a credit card that has a Global Entry fee credit, assuming you have one.
I used my Amex Business Platinum, and the fee reimbursed within a few days.
How long did my Global Entry renewal take?
As mentioned above, I submitted my Global Entry application on January 27, 2022. Then on February 7, 2022 — 11 days later — I received an email indicating that there had been an application status change on my renewal. I received an email from [email protected] with the subject line “TTP Application Status Change.”
The email as such doesn’t tell you a whole lot, so you have to log into your account again to see the status. There I found out that my application was conditionally approved, meaning that I still have to take part in an interview.
I’m not sure what triggered that, rather than a full approval. It could be the number of countries I’ve been to, or it could be that they just don’t give you a full approval each time, since when I last renewed Global Entry I received a full approval, without the need for an interview.
While I could schedule an interview, I’ll probably just attend an interview the next time that I pass through an immigration facility, so that I don’t have to make a separate trip for this.
Bottom line
I just went through the process of renewing my Global Entry, and it was pretty easy. You basically just have to confirm that all the information during your last application is still accurate, add all the countries you’ve been to since then, and pay a fee.
My application was processed in less than two weeks, which is great given the alleged backups they’re having. While I got a full approval last time, this time around I only got a conditional approval, meaning I have to attend an in-person interview. Fortunately that’s an easy enough process, as you can just attend an interview when passing through an immigration facility while returning to the United States.
Hopefully this is useful for anyone else who has a Global Entry renewal coming up soon.
If you’ve had to renew your Global Entry, what was your experience like?
Very useful, thank you! I am trying to renew my Global Entry and it keeps kicking me into the "new application" process. I was able to use your post to confirm that the stuff the online forms were not for renewal. Now I can't seem to submit a question /complaint to their online help, so I might be out of luck and have to apply again anyway :( :( But thanks so much for your step by step with photos!!!!
After machine failed to ok my USA re=entry April 3, 2024, agent told me my GE had expired early 2024. Allowed thru after short explanation of renewal process and without hassle.
Subsequently subjected to (with all my fellow international arrivals) the USA's most antiquated TSA security check in the sweltering basement at CVG.
Back to Global Entry: filled out renewal form April 7, 2024. $100 charge hit card April 8. New card was...
After machine failed to ok my USA re=entry April 3, 2024, agent told me my GE had expired early 2024. Allowed thru after short explanation of renewal process and without hassle.
Subsequently subjected to (with all my fellow international arrivals) the USA's most antiquated TSA security check in the sweltering basement at CVG.
Back to Global Entry: filled out renewal form April 7, 2024. $100 charge hit card April 8. New card was in mailbox April 13. How can our guardians do some things so well and fail so miserably at some others?
My husband and I recently filed the application to renew our Global Entry accounts. His came back within a month or less with an easy approval. I have now been waiting for mine to come back for and it still says "Pending Review" after a couple of months now. The only thing different between us is that I have a former surname/last name (my maiden name), but that was known to Global Entry and the...
My husband and I recently filed the application to renew our Global Entry accounts. His came back within a month or less with an easy approval. I have now been waiting for mine to come back for and it still says "Pending Review" after a couple of months now. The only thing different between us is that I have a former surname/last name (my maiden name), but that was known to Global Entry and the Passport office the first time we applied nearly 10 years ago. It is starting to get me nervous, because we have an international trip coming up soon and I want to make sure my Global Entry is active and working for the trip. My application ID is #123821291. I tried to look for a phone number to call for help and couldn't find anyone who could help me. I would appreciate any assistance and/or guidance possible.
I've personally been waiting for 6 months for my renewal - I've asked for an update at the start of each month and the renewal timeline has gone from 6 to 9 to 12 to now 14 months.
At the same time, I've had friends and family apply for net-new Global Entry within a week of my renewal status and they've not only been conditionally approved, but have also had their interviews.
The process has become a complete joke
My Global Entry was expiring in January 2024. I submitted the renewal application and paid the $100 in July 2023. As of March 2024 the application is still “pending”.
You said you might just stop by an immigration center next time you pass through instead of schedule an interview but don’t you have to have an appointment? How does that work? Thank you :)
My husband and I submitted renewal yesterday and received an email next day approving. Very, very quick turnaround for us.
I renewed both our GE one year before its due to expire due to the back log. One was approved the next day and a new card arrived within 10 days. Mine is still pending- 6 months wait. GE grace period has been extended for 2 years.
Same for me and my husband. He was approved next and for even for his card within a week and mine is still pending. When did you get yours?
I applied for renewal of Global Entry back in December of 202. It is now 9 months later and am still waiting for "conditional approval" of my application. I really wish there was a way I cold expedite this process or know what is an acceptable time to wait.
I just renewed my global entry and found this article very helpful and really appreciated - thank you!
I did, however, run into a problem on the passport page. I tried 3 of 4 times on different days to submit and confirm this page, they kept requesting an additional document but only gave the option of my passport which they already had. Hence I tried to submit it again without luck. Today, however, they...
I just renewed my global entry and found this article very helpful and really appreciated - thank you!
I did, however, run into a problem on the passport page. I tried 3 of 4 times on different days to submit and confirm this page, they kept requesting an additional document but only gave the option of my passport which they already had. Hence I tried to submit it again without luck. Today, however, they did accept the exact shame info that was already there. Strange but true.
Hence, keep trying!
Karen, I have been trying every day for a week on the document section. Yes, the passport info is already enter. So, you did not enter “another proof” of US citizenship? It is so frustrating!
Thank you for your help!
My family (me and my wife) had the fastest Global Entry Renewal experience. We applied on 7/14 and were conditionally approved on 7/15; We were able to schedule a Zoom meeting for 7/17 evening and the entire process was completed within 5 minutes. They asked the same questions present in the application (how many countries visited, ever been arrested etc.,).
We are happy overseas travelers for another 5 years!
Data point: Applied for renewal in March 2023. Approval received July 2023. No issues identified during the process.
I got thru the renewal process but since the last time I went from working to Retired. I selected retired and put the month of July and 2018 the last day of my employment was July 30, 2018. Still says there is an error and of course doesn't have any thing telling me what the error was. I sent them an email. Mine expires August of this year.. Didn't realize they expired til today.
Make sure your renewal is submitted before your expiration in August once you rectify your "error" issue. You will also have a 24-month grace period to continue using Global Entry until your renewal is complete. As for the card, one will come in the mail and then you will need to activate it under your account. You will most likely not need the card anyway so the wait is really not an issue for the physical card.
For Documents: How do you upload copy of your passport page? I can't see any upload button.
I applied for my Global Entry renewal on Monday and on Wednesday I received the email that the status had changed. When I logged in the Trusted Traveler site, my renewal said “approved.” I was totally surprised it was so quick! BTW, be sure you are on the official site. My husband thought he was, however it turned out to be a site that collects an extra $139 just to pass your info to the...
I applied for my Global Entry renewal on Monday and on Wednesday I received the email that the status had changed. When I logged in the Trusted Traveler site, my renewal said “approved.” I was totally surprised it was so quick! BTW, be sure you are on the official site. My husband thought he was, however it turned out to be a site that collects an extra $139 just to pass your info to the actual site. The cost on the site is $100 to renew. His was also approved but he paid $239 so beware!
Just got the email with a link to the approval-- about 8 months after I applied for renewal!! but I wonder if they will send a new card, since the old one has an expiration date that's gone by.
Thank you for this!
I applied for global entry renewal in the evening of 12/8/2022. It was approved in the morning of 12/9/2022. I did not have an address change or anything else change from the initial approval, except my job had a different role due to a promotion. There are so many factors as to why some people gets approved faster than others. Hopefully, I’ll get the new card with new expiration date in two weeks. That’s what I was told by other people who renewed theirs.
Just a quick update on the GE renewal card. I received the renewal card today 12/22/22. I forgot to mention that, once approved and you are curious about the status of the new card, you will see the "activate card" option available on your dashboard after logging into the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website. This will let you know that they have processed and the new card is on its way to you. Once you...
Just a quick update on the GE renewal card. I received the renewal card today 12/22/22. I forgot to mention that, once approved and you are curious about the status of the new card, you will see the "activate card" option available on your dashboard after logging into the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website. This will let you know that they have processed and the new card is on its way to you. Once you get the new card, log back into the TTP site to activate the card by entering the last 3 numbers after your 9 PASSID numbers on the back of your card. Do not enter the two letters that is in front of the 3 numbers. So, from December 8 to December 22 (exact 2 weeks) for my GE renewal process to complete and receive the new card in hand. It is good until 2028 for me in this case (renewed 10 months earlier to actual expiration date). I hope everyone have a smooth process like me. Good luck to all.
Would a new card be sent or mailed when global entry is renewed?
I applied for my renewal in May (date of expiration was October 2022). I am still waiting. I have tried emailing and calling about my delayed renewal, but to no avail. I have also gone to my local office and wasn't able to talk to anyone. Although, expired, the only positive is that my GE still works. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks!
Very easy. After logging in and clicking on renewal the form was pre-populated except for a few items that had to be updated (like diver license info). Received approved status in about 5 days. I assume they will send me new card with the new expiry date but I'm printing out the approval letter just in case.
Hi, thank you for this post. I just want to share my experience. I just renewed my global entry. It was 6 months expired, got my change of status in 2 days, it was approved right away. They might have gone through the back logged.
I have completed renewal - have all green approval checks. however I still get the response "please confirm your information is correct to continue".
It's checked and checked and all green approvals show. Have tried other browsers, but same thing happens.
There is apparently a computer glitch.
My renewal application was approved in a few days, however my husbands is still not approved. We both applied at the same time and our information is basically the same. I searched the comments here and I'm unable to find the answer to some of the same questions regarding being issued a new card after approval of the renewal application. Will we get a new card?
Do you get a new card once it is renewed? Mine says it expires soon, but will I get a new one? I suppose its not necessary since you never really have to present it for any reason
Hi Joel...Did you receive a new card with your renewal? I was just fully approved and there is nothing in the notification that I will get a new card with an updated expiration date. Thanks!
I just spoke to a Border agent at Otay Mesa. She told me renewals can take up to 8 months.
I have been waiting 5 months already.
Seems strange a lot of you have been getting renewed in just days.
My renewal was approved today. Will I be getting a new card? My original card expired in 2021 and I applied for a renewal two days ago & got approved today and my new expiration date is 2027. Does that mean I will be getting a new card?
I just renewed my global entry card online and received approval in 3 days. My question is, will they also send me a new card with an updated expiration date in the mail and how long will that take?
The last time my wife and I renewed, I was required to get an interview but she was not. Same travel history for both of us. My "interview" consisted of having my fingerprints taken again with no explanation of why. I've been fingerprinted several times for the federal government (unrelated to Global Entry), so this was puzzling.
My wife and I submitted our renewals for our expired Global Entry Memberships around 8:00 PM EST on May 23rd, 2022, and both of us got fully approved (No interview required) at 3:40 AM ESt on May 25th, 2022. So in all the renewal process for us took about 30 hours from application to full approval. Note, our residential address hasn't changed since we initially enrolled in 2015 so that likely had an effect on...
My wife and I submitted our renewals for our expired Global Entry Memberships around 8:00 PM EST on May 23rd, 2022, and both of us got fully approved (No interview required) at 3:40 AM ESt on May 25th, 2022. So in all the renewal process for us took about 30 hours from application to full approval. Note, our residential address hasn't changed since we initially enrolled in 2015 so that likely had an effect on not being required to attend an interview.
Hope this helps!
My wife and I submitted our renewals on June 5th. We were both conditionally approved within 33 hours. Outstanding! However, we are both required to have interviews.
My Global Entry expired Jan 19. I didn’t notice before it expired. Jan 26 I completed the application and paid $100.
Today is May 18.
I’m confused because if I had reapplied prior to expiration I would still be eligible. ♀️
Same issue. I don't have renew button. Anyone have an update?
I sent in my renewal application last night (12/18)and just received an email (12/19) notifying me of a change in status of the application. I logged in and saw I was approved. No re-interview needed. It doesn't say whether a new card will be mailed out or not.
My account says I'm due for a renewal but there is no button to click stating I can renew. Has anyone else had this issue? my PASSID is uploaded into my account and everything and I applied in 2017 so it is approaching the 5 year mark.
Any tips? Waiting on the phone right now for some help
Any update here - we are having the same problem. No button to renew....
Same issue here. Expires August 5, but no blue "renew" button. Can't find any way to resolve this.
Same issue. Mine expires in 5 days but I don't have a renewal button.
My renewal went great...came within a couple of days from applying. Said I was approved. It said NOTHING about whether I'd need a new card (or if one would be sent) with the new expiration date. Since it has a photo on it, I assume I'd need to go somewhere to freshen it up with a new one. Can anyone shed light on this lack of info on what to do with an old card?
I asked the CBP Officer who conducted my interview about the card; he told me a new card would be mailed out and the only change would be the expiration date. Everything else would remain the same. He also told me to shred my old card once the new one arrives.
I've been waiting for conditional approval for 4 months on my renewal. It's getting ridiculous.
Same here, March 7th 2022
Applied November 2022 and still says “pending” when I check status. It’s been 7 months and no word. This was a renewal!
My renewal process was EXTREMELY easy ... I was surprised when I got the email 3 days after applying for renewal. I logged in and voila it was approved! Its important to note I did not have ANY major change (same address, same work, etc)
My husband applied 2 weeks before for renewal, and his is still processing.. he DID change jobs so maybe that was it? I will update once his is approved.
...My renewal process was EXTREMELY easy ... I was surprised when I got the email 3 days after applying for renewal. I logged in and voila it was approved! Its important to note I did not have ANY major change (same address, same work, etc)
My husband applied 2 weeks before for renewal, and his is still processing.. he DID change jobs so maybe that was it? I will update once his is approved.
We both applied 1 year before expiration since the system will allow you , and now the grace period has been extended to 24 months per their site.
Just renewed a recently *expired* GE two days ago (Sunday). This morning (one business day later) was notified I am approved with no interview. A pleasant surprise!
My Global Entry was due to expire in November this year and my wife's GE was due to expire in December this year. In December, immediately after receiving my Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card, which offers credit for GE, I started the renewal process on 12/24/21 and was approved on 12/31/21. My GE card was received shortly after. My Amex card was debited on 12/29/21 and credited on 12/31/21.
My wife, whose GE fee is...
My Global Entry was due to expire in November this year and my wife's GE was due to expire in December this year. In December, immediately after receiving my Amex Bonvoy Brilliant card, which offers credit for GE, I started the renewal process on 12/24/21 and was approved on 12/31/21. My GE card was received shortly after. My Amex card was debited on 12/29/21 and credited on 12/31/21.
My wife, whose GE fee is covered by her Amex Delta SkyMiles card, started her renewal early on 12/31/21. Her current status is "Pending Approval" and "Wait for conditional approval". Her Amex card was debited on 12/31/21 and credited on 1/3/22.
Received full approval of my renewal with no interview needed the very next day after submitting my request.
Ben....how long did it take for your new card to arrive?
My wife applied for renewal on a Saturday and was approved on Sunday night. About a year ago I had to schedule a zoom meeting. You have to keep trying to find an available session but if you keep trying you'll eventually get on in a very reasonable time frame (mine was for the next morning). It took like 5 minutes with a very friendly agent.
I have NEXUS and it won't allow me to apply for Global Entry.
I recently renewed my Global Entry membership and got it approved within a couple of weeks. A month after my approval I get another notification stating that it was revoked. Apparently, I was arrested sometime and my records expunged. I have never been arrested in my life, and now I can't get a hold of anyone to get that mistake fixed. The only thing to do is to apply for reconsideration, but that process seems to take forever.
Just as a point of comparison, I renewed mine last week and got my approval in ~2 days. No interview needed.
I had to go through a renewal interview this was pre-pandemic. Interview was triggered because I visited Turkey for a few days and they wanted to know what I was doing there. Been to over 45 countries and all they asked about was Turkey.
Just renewed this morning (2.10) and grace period is now even longer:
"Due to a significant increase in application volume, we are extending the grace period from 18 months to 24 months for any submitted renewal application. This means you will continue to receive full benefits for 24 months while U.S. Customs and Border Protection is finalizing your renewal application."
Hi Lucky!
Complex question. I have NEXUS which is expiring April 2022. I’m not longer traveling to Canada frequently for work, so I doubt Canada would ok me renewing it. Longer story short, is it possible to switch from NEXUS to GE, or so I just have to reapply for GE, and ignore renewing NEXUS?
Thanks for any insights!
@Michael - try Bellingham in April.
NEXUS also links to Global Entry and you apply basically through the same portal. Family applied for renewal about 6 months in advance in 2020. Wife was eventually approved but I was slated for interview. Nothing available in 2020 or 2021 so process was extended. Sent a letter questioning delay as card had "expired" twice and was due to lapse Nov 2022. Then found one interview available Apr 22...
@Michael - try Bellingham in April.
NEXUS also links to Global Entry and you apply basically through the same portal. Family applied for renewal about 6 months in advance in 2020. Wife was eventually approved but I was slated for interview. Nothing available in 2020 or 2021 so process was extended. Sent a letter questioning delay as card had "expired" twice and was due to lapse Nov 2022. Then found one interview available Apr 22 in Bellingham and scheduled. That triggered an approval it seems as card was received last week, 85 weeks after application. So hang in or write a letter to speed it up.
Good article. What about NEXUS? I was conditionally approved but need an interview and right now there is nothing available, physically or virtually. Any thoughts on that topic?
Maybe it is easy to be approved for a renewal but the first time not so much . I did apply on December 31 . 2021 and still in pending also I did apply 4 years ago and because I forgot to mention something I was denied .
I have a travel co
Ming up in April to visite my family overseas and always am stopped at the border when I return ????
I let my GE expire about 2 years ago, and applied for renewal. The process stopped at conditional approval, and it was 14 months before I could schedule an interview. My wife's GE had 1 year remaining and after I had been waiting for 6 months, she applied for renewal. She was approved in 2 days with no interview, and received her new card in 2 weeks. My advice on my limited sample, is don't let your GE expire! Renew early
It doesn't seem to matter. Wife and I applied for renewal at same time and have exactly same travel history. She was quickly approved and I (male?) required non-available interview. Wrote and eventually got the card without the interview. Hang in.
What email address did you write them to? Thanks @Azamaraal
24 hours from renewal application to full approval. Was surprised but pleasantly so.
Good explanation. I went through same renewal process right before holidays. Was shocked to get the status update changed email within 6 hours of submission. I was approved for renewal. No interview required.
If you have a connecting flight you may not be able to renew at customs. I returned from Europe to IAD with a connecting flight to LAX. I asked about renewing and was told I could only do so if I was arriving in Washington DC and could not return to the other side. Anyway renewed returning from Aruba so no worries
Sadly, if you are in UK, you have to pay again cor criminal check, before you can start renewal process of Global Entry. I applied today, will see how long it takes and if I can skip interview or do one over Zoom. Not planning to visit USA any time soon for personal interview.
I disagree with all the comments hypothesizing that visiting certain countries is the differentiator. Prior to my renewal a few years ago, I had traveled all over the world including various countries in the Middle East, Cuba, Russia, and many others that could easily be flagged as "suspicious." I received immediate approval for my GE renewal, no interview required. My girlfriend had to renew last year and has only traveled to a few countries; Switzerland,...
I disagree with all the comments hypothesizing that visiting certain countries is the differentiator. Prior to my renewal a few years ago, I had traveled all over the world including various countries in the Middle East, Cuba, Russia, and many others that could easily be flagged as "suspicious." I received immediate approval for my GE renewal, no interview required. My girlfriend had to renew last year and has only traveled to a few countries; Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Turks & Caicos, and Mexico. She is required to interview for her renewal. My brother is the same - has barely traveled and needs to interview for his renewal. There may be some algorithm behind selection, but it feels quite random in my experience.
I am pretty sure the need for a follow up interview is based on countries you have traveled. In my case, partner and I both renewed at the same time. Difference was I had a trip to Dubai.
I had to go for interview, partner did not.
The interview seemed to focus on my trip to Dubai.
I suspect you had traveled to the middle east on Qatar or Emirates - likely the reason for the needed interview.
My wife didn't travel anywhere outside the US and was required to have an interview. There were zero zoom interviews available in the next year so we chose in person, 3 months out was the closest available. Then we got an email that more times were available so we just finished our renewals. Super fast and easy, we were both interviewed one after the other and were done in 8 min.
My situation was different,...
My wife didn't travel anywhere outside the US and was required to have an interview. There were zero zoom interviews available in the next year so we chose in person, 3 months out was the closest available. Then we got an email that more times were available so we just finished our renewals. Super fast and easy, we were both interviewed one after the other and were done in 8 min.
My situation was different, my passport expired as covid started and i couldn't renew global entry and hadn't started that renewal immediately when i could. So with expired passport and now expired global entry i set up my new Signup time. Even with all that my interview matched my wife's renewal, nothing more.
Either way we're done and it was super easy. The most intensive part was the 30 min drive each way to the airport...
Definitely not the case. My spouse and I both have the same background and citizenship. She has traveled to the same countries with me, and I then traveled to some others that she did not. I got a renewal without an interview, my spouse had to be interviewed
At JFK the new GE Kiosks, when they work, are now based on facial recognition primarily. You don't need to swipe you passport or do finger prints any longer.
I renewed mine a few days ago and already received approval. I was happily surprised as my husband renewed his 2 years ago and it took almost a year to get conditional approval.
Which kind of makes me laugh since I am short and I'd say 90% of my GE pictures for entry taken at the airport kiosk are of my eyes and forehead only since I didn't look up and stand on my tiptoes fast enough haha
I renewed a couple months ago...my second renewal. Neither renewal required an interview and the approval was instant. My husband also renewed recently for the second time. Both times an interview was required. All of our international travel has been with each other. I have no idea why I escaped interviews both times and he got tagged both times.
Have you seen the trailer for the Case Against Boeing on Netflix ? Looks very interesting
Does visiting any particular countries (Cuba, Iran, etc.) make you require an interview for renewal?
I disagree with all the comments hypothesizing that visiting certain countries is the differentiator. Prior to my renewal a few years ago, I had traveled all over the world including various countries in the Middle East, Cuba, Russia, and many others that could easily be flagged as "suspicious." I received immediate approval for my GE renewal, no interview required. My girlfriend had to renew last year and has only traveled to a few countries; Switzerland,...
I disagree with all the comments hypothesizing that visiting certain countries is the differentiator. Prior to my renewal a few years ago, I had traveled all over the world including various countries in the Middle East, Cuba, Russia, and many others that could easily be flagged as "suspicious." I received immediate approval for my GE renewal, no interview required. My girlfriend had to renew last year and has only traveled to a few countries; Switzerland, Norway, Canada, Turks & Caicos, and Mexico. She is required to interview for her renewal. My brother is the same - has barely traveled and needs to interview for his renewal. There may be some algorithm behind selection, but it feels quite random in my experience.
Not all airports participate on enrollment on arrival. Perhaps you could update with that information . . . or a separate post as to those requirements - it isn't just a matter of showing up.
I applied for GE in September. I'm still waiting for the the interview...what to do?
I was laughing the other day at Dulles. I had to get a temp passport at the Munich consulate because I needed to go to Dubai and mine expired in 4 months (Dubai states nothing under six months). But that's a whole other story.
I could not link my temp one year to my Global entry...it won't allow. So I went to the normal line on Sunday. No wait, no worry. Meanwhile I look over...
I was laughing the other day at Dulles. I had to get a temp passport at the Munich consulate because I needed to go to Dubai and mine expired in 4 months (Dubai states nothing under six months). But that's a whole other story.
I could not link my temp one year to my Global entry...it won't allow. So I went to the normal line on Sunday. No wait, no worry. Meanwhile I look over and at least 30 people are waiting to pass through after the kiosk and to hand over the print out. I was out 5-10 minutes before most of them.
Now Brazil just got invited for Global entry. It's reaching the point that the standard line may become faster. Still worth it for PRE though, but even that is getting more crowded these days.
For what it is worth, I applied for a renewal in earlly for me and my wife within minutes of each other. I got my e-mail to go on and check status change, and saw approved and extended to 2027. The new card then appeared in the mail a few days later--all within 2 weeks. Alas, my wife is still in a pending status and has heard nothing. I was hoping to find a number or e-mail address to talk but there does not appear to be one.
When did your wife apply? Just wondering how long it has been
I renewed last year and did my interview over Zoom - super easy, and I was able to grab an appointment that was only like a week out by happening on someone's apparent cancellation. Once on the line, the conversation took maybe 5 minutes. It was a really quick and easy process.
The wife just renewed in the past month, and she received an online interview. Don't know how broadly they're doing that, but it's worth checking out (in the past I've had to drive 50-100 miles to the nearest interview location).
I applied for renewal on a weekend and was approved by Monday. I did not need to upload passport or do interview. Today I just got new card in the mail 8 days later. Mine was likely that fast as I only travel internationally a few times a year, mostly to Europe.
Maybe you didn' see the good news from yesterday but it was announced that Brazil was approved to be part of Global Entry, and the government updated the website today for Brazilian citizens to apply. Great news for us Brazilians!
I renewed and also got a conditional approval. Will try interviewing when I arrive from my next international trip.
I've applied for renewal back in October of 2021. I've never received any email notification of status on the renewal process, so I never bothered to login to check the status. But today I received the new card out of the blue. I log in to my global entry account, on the notifications sections it shows its been approved 01/31/2022, and nothing else. No conditional approval, no scheduling interviews, nothing. The only thing I have to do is activate the card
I have mine and had my two adult children apply. They had an interview but it was cancelled due to covid. They were finally able to rescheduled and the date was 16 months from the first appointment. I put the data in my planer but I screwed the data up and by the time we realized it it was a week to late. Could never get a new appointment. Nothing available. Nothing available. They expired. $$ in the trash.
Renewed Global Entry for my family of five in the past year. Two were expired; they both required in person interviews (one completed, one pending). I did mine in DFW on the way back from Mexico- the TSA agent at Passport control sent me to the right place, and the agent there didn't want to help. I persisted, and they accommodated. Three renewals were done in time (before expiration) and just required filling out paperwork...
Renewed Global Entry for my family of five in the past year. Two were expired; they both required in person interviews (one completed, one pending). I did mine in DFW on the way back from Mexico- the TSA agent at Passport control sent me to the right place, and the agent there didn't want to help. I persisted, and they accommodated. Three renewals were done in time (before expiration) and just required filling out paperwork on line and paying the fee- the new GE card arrived in the mail a few weeks later, no interview necessary. Like other commenters noted the process of using GE is even easier with facial recognition, very fast when coming back to the States.
Well, I have not been that lucky. I was not able to renew mine and called the office several times. First they didn’t believe me, they assumed that maybe I was not computer literate enough and finally a lady decided to walk me thru the process and guess what we had the same problem I had been having all along.( Spent 4 hrs on the phone just that one day and not counting the times...
Well, I have not been that lucky. I was not able to renew mine and called the office several times. First they didn’t believe me, they assumed that maybe I was not computer literate enough and finally a lady decided to walk me thru the process and guess what we had the same problem I had been having all along.( Spent 4 hrs on the phone just that one day and not counting the times and days I spent over a span of 2 weeks)
Long story short- My renewal period expired and still the issue has not been resolved. Seems like an IT glitch which finally has been escalated to the bosses/ In charge and am still waiting to hear from them. In the meantime I don’t know what I am supposed to with a “in limbo”Global entry card!!
There are so many variables. My renewal last years took ~4 hrs to be approved by they wanted to re-collect my biometrics (I was part of the original GE predecessor and my picture was really old). Co-worker went to renew, she hit the ‘done’ button and literally seconds later she was approved, no in-person anything. On the other hand people say months. I can only surmise people that are not in any system (no record...
There are so many variables. My renewal last years took ~4 hrs to be approved by they wanted to re-collect my biometrics (I was part of the original GE predecessor and my picture was really old). Co-worker went to renew, she hit the ‘done’ button and literally seconds later she was approved, no in-person anything. On the other hand people say months. I can only surmise people that are not in any system (no record in any USG background system) take longer vs people like my friend who works with the USG and has extensive background checks already
"At the kiosks, members simply have to enter their passport or permanent resident card into the machine, place their fingerprints on the scanner, and then complete a basic customs declaration."
The above procedure has changed.
You no longer place your passport in a machine. Instead, you stand in front of a machine and have your photo taken. You must line up your face within the lines on the mirror-type screen. Facial recognition knows...
"At the kiosks, members simply have to enter their passport or permanent resident card into the machine, place their fingerprints on the scanner, and then complete a basic customs declaration."
The above procedure has changed.
You no longer place your passport in a machine. Instead, you stand in front of a machine and have your photo taken. You must line up your face within the lines on the mirror-type screen. Facial recognition knows who you are. After a half-minute or so, a slip of paper will come out of the machine that permits you to go to the area where federal agents ask you a few questions then allow you to proceed to baggage claim or exit.
My experience the last couple times as well. No questions to answer on the kiosk and the customs agent asked me 1 question last time and zero questions the time prior.
When I applied for the first time for GE, it took me 5 months until full approval. Pre-COVID but we had a shutdown.
I wouldn't wait until the last minute to renew (in 2 years) and I would use every bit of that grace period.
I applied for the first time for GE last October and it's still pending review. It's only been 4 months so I should be waiting a couple more months..
11 days???! I submitted my renewal on October 30th and am stilllllll waiting.
For what it’s worth I submitted my renewal Dec 9th and am still waiting for the conditional approval … (as of Mar 9)
I submitted my renewal on Dec 9 2021, still no conditional approval.
My GE was due for renewal in May last year, I completed all the relevant steps and received the conditional approval status, since I am based in the U.K. and at the time borders were closed there was an option to have an online interview, I chose a convenient time and date however about 5 days before I received an email advising of a status change and when I logged in I was approved, my...
My GE was due for renewal in May last year, I completed all the relevant steps and received the conditional approval status, since I am based in the U.K. and at the time borders were closed there was an option to have an online interview, I chose a convenient time and date however about 5 days before I received an email advising of a status change and when I logged in I was approved, my online interview was not required and the process I thought although fragmented was stress free.
I need to change my name on my Global Entry due to a legal name change. This requires an in-person appointment. The FAQs says to go to your dashboard and click "biographical update" to submit for an appointment. This option does not exist.
There is no way to request an appointment since appointments are prompted by submitting and paying for an application. I have tried to call but I can't get to a live...
I need to change my name on my Global Entry due to a legal name change. This requires an in-person appointment. The FAQs says to go to your dashboard and click "biographical update" to submit for an appointment. This option does not exist.
There is no way to request an appointment since appointments are prompted by submitting and paying for an application. I have tried to call but I can't get to a live person. I've left several messages, but no response. They refuse walk-ins. My local office is BWI. Any suggestions???
My passport was expiring early this year, so I decided to renew my passport last April as I had a trip planned for January that ultimately did not happen. I applied for the new passport in early April using expedited service since I had read where it was taking a long time and I had other trips that ultimately did not go scheduled for the summer. I received my passport within 2 weeks and then...
My passport was expiring early this year, so I decided to renew my passport last April as I had a trip planned for January that ultimately did not happen. I applied for the new passport in early April using expedited service since I had read where it was taking a long time and I had other trips that ultimately did not go scheduled for the summer. I received my passport within 2 weeks and then went to the Global Entry site to update the new passport number. It would not allow me to do it, nor would it allow me to update my wife's new passport either. It said that we had to go to the a Customs and Border control office to do so. Fortunately, there is one in Richmond, VA about 100 miles away that was not available years ago. We drove to Richmond and it took but a matter of minutes for the agent to enter our new info into the computer system. This was NOT an interview, but it was not as seamless as implied here. But we should be good to go until the expiration of our Global Entry at which time, I hope it is as seamless as mentioned here since the passports will still be good.
Since originally applying for Global Entry back in 2015, I have spent the bulk of my time traveling (mostly overseas), with no permanent residential address in the US. The longest I have stayed in any one place is three or four months, and all of those were outside the US. When I went to renew last year, I had to confirm every address at which I had resided since my initial application. Needless to say,...
Since originally applying for Global Entry back in 2015, I have spent the bulk of my time traveling (mostly overseas), with no permanent residential address in the US. The longest I have stayed in any one place is three or four months, and all of those were outside the US. When I went to renew last year, I had to confirm every address at which I had resided since my initial application. Needless to say, I elected to not renew. In truth, since I only enter the US once or twice a year, and since I seldom travel domestically within the US, neither Global Entry nor TSA Pre-Check is much of a benefit.
I know from earlier posts that Ben has also been living as a nomad in recent years. I'm curious to know how he dealt with the address issue.
Everyone I know that has renewed in the last couple of years was required to have an interview, even at the height of federal DHS/CBP Covid lockdowns in 2020, when no one was traveling internationally. The agent at mine said it was to get an updated photo, though I’m skeptical that’s the real reason. Automatic renewals seem to be rare these days.
Had the interview via Zoom last month. No new photo was taken. My Global Entry had expired 11 months prior.
TIP: If you don't see any available appointment dates at airports in the next 3 months (I didn't) just check back a day later around noon.
Next please do a post about the current state of NEXUS renewals. I'm at the 20 month mark since I applied and was conditionally approved. Some FTers are nearing the point at which the grace period will run out, with no communication from NEXUS yet whether it will be further extended. Canada's CBSA has refused to restart their component of the interviews, even on Zoom. There were a few days last fall where slots were...
Next please do a post about the current state of NEXUS renewals. I'm at the 20 month mark since I applied and was conditionally approved. Some FTers are nearing the point at which the grace period will run out, with no communication from NEXUS yet whether it will be further extended. Canada's CBSA has refused to restart their component of the interviews, even on Zoom. There were a few days last fall where slots were opened up at one or two locations, then Canada shut everything down again due to Omicron. No appointments available anywhere IRL or remote as of now.
It beggars belief that they can't get their act together for the Zoom option. It would also make the program significantly more accessible since most interview locations were inconvenient unless you're based near one of Canada's major international airports, or one of the rural land border stations (of which there are now only four, total).
Indeed! We have 3 people all applied for Nexus renewal in August 2019. Wife and son got approved and had new cards in 2 weeks. I was flagged for an interview. Then Trump and Cuomo disagreed about CBP having DMV access, so Trump canceled all application in late 2019. My fee was refunded, the I applied again for renewal. Then Covid hit and I've had 5 interviews canceled. No interview centers are open. I'm 25...
Indeed! We have 3 people all applied for Nexus renewal in August 2019. Wife and son got approved and had new cards in 2 weeks. I was flagged for an interview. Then Trump and Cuomo disagreed about CBP having DMV access, so Trump canceled all application in late 2019. My fee was refunded, the I applied again for renewal. Then Covid hit and I've had 5 interviews canceled. No interview centers are open. I'm 25 months after expiration and 17 months since the second renewal application. I've been meaning to ask my congressman's office for help.
Global entry and pre check worked in December. I'll find out again next week going to ZRH.
What happens if I become a US Citizen and change my name? What is the process?
Both require an in-person visit to an "enrollment" center, which, as far as I can tell, is impossible to do at the moment. Enrollment centers currently do not allow walk-ins, and the reservation system is only set up to handle new applications. Honestly, if anyone can figure out a way to make an appointment for non-renewal/non-application issues like this, that would be tremendously helpful! My husband naturalized and we have had no luck trying to...
Both require an in-person visit to an "enrollment" center, which, as far as I can tell, is impossible to do at the moment. Enrollment centers currently do not allow walk-ins, and the reservation system is only set up to handle new applications. Honestly, if anyone can figure out a way to make an appointment for non-renewal/non-application issues like this, that would be tremendously helpful! My husband naturalized and we have had no luck trying to update global entry to his new US passport.
I just want to note that, at least at some airports, you don't even have to scan your fingerprints, enter passport/permanent residency info, and complete a customs declaration (or at least I didn't).
I entered LAX in November from India via London, and they just scanned my face. After that I just walked through. I am not sure if I accidentally missed a step, but that's all I did to enter through customs. Took me a grand total of a few seconds.
@JBR. Yes, in most US airports now the Global Entry kiosks have facial recognition capability as well. The last 5 times I entered the US I just looked into the camera, and was on my way. However, on 2 occasions, there was no dedicated Global Entry lane open, and we were all ushered to a regular lane, where the CBP officer asked all kinds of questions from all of us. Made no difference to him that we all had the Global Entry printed out slip.
I need to change my name on my Global Entry due to a legal name change. This requires an in-person appointment. The FAQs says to go to your dashboard and click "biographical update" to submit for an appointment. This option does not exist.
There is no way to request an appointment since appointments are prompted by submitting and paying for an application. I have tried to call but I can't get to a live...
I need to change my name on my Global Entry due to a legal name change. This requires an in-person appointment. The FAQs says to go to your dashboard and click "biographical update" to submit for an appointment. This option does not exist.
There is no way to request an appointment since appointments are prompted by submitting and paying for an application. I have tried to call but I can't get to a live person. I've left several messages, but no response. They refuse walk-ins. My local office is BWI. Any suggestions???
Filed for renewal this January, just about 11 months after expiration. Got the $100 Amex credit and conditional approval. Needed to schedule an interview. Earliest available date anywhere on that day was DFW airport in April, so I took that.
Logged in the next day at noon to find a ZOOM APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE IN ONE HOUR. Took that, Zoomed with an officer at JFK, got asked only about muslim countries I'd visited (and no...
Filed for renewal this January, just about 11 months after expiration. Got the $100 Amex credit and conditional approval. Needed to schedule an interview. Earliest available date anywhere on that day was DFW airport in April, so I took that.
Logged in the next day at noon to find a ZOOM APPOINTMENT AVAILABLE IN ONE HOUR. Took that, Zoomed with an officer at JFK, got asked only about muslim countries I'd visited (and no other countries of the dozens listed) and then was immediately approved.
New card arrived about 10 days later in the mail.
--> REMEMBER TO CHECK BACK DAILY FOR ZOOM APPOINTMENT AVAILABILITY DUE TO CANCELLATIONS
I recently renewed my Global Entry and I was able to schedule an interview over Zoom, so no need to go to the airport at all. Was a very easy process. Initially all the timeslots were booked for months but I found that just checking once or twice a day I found plenty of open times soon and was able to re-schedule the interview no problem.
Exactly what happened here. Found a Zoom interview suddenly available an hour later and took it. Worth checking the website multiple times for last-minute cancellations like this.
Interestingly out of the dozens of countries visited the prior five years the officer was only interested in knowing about three of them - all of which were heavily-touristed majority-muslim countries (eyeroll)
I submitted my application last October and it's still "Pending Review." I understand it may take longer than renewal because this is my first time but it's really frustrating.. I doubt if it'll ever be approved this year.
I applied for renewal December 23 and got approved December 25!
I keep a list of all of my destinations for when we renew next year.
Do they ask about just the places you've been to, or also the places you've transited?
If you only transited you technically did not visit those countries. No need to list them.
Thank you
Just went through this process myself last month. The entire process from submitting the application to actually getting the GE card in the the mail took about three weeks I was pleasantly surprised. Didn’t get automatic approval but fortunately MIA has lots of appointments available during weekdays even on a short notice so was able to get the interview completed right after conditional approval.
The one annoying part about the application process is that...
Just went through this process myself last month. The entire process from submitting the application to actually getting the GE card in the the mail took about three weeks I was pleasantly surprised. Didn’t get automatic approval but fortunately MIA has lots of appointments available during weekdays even on a short notice so was able to get the interview completed right after conditional approval.
The one annoying part about the application process is that page where you select the countries visited in the last 5 years keeps timing out so you pretty much have to have that list prepared ahead of time.
Ben, about being approved automatically. My husband and I renewed our global entry at roughly the same time last summer. Mine was approved automatically but he needed to go in for an interview. We both had the same set of foreign countries visited.
And the person interviewing him told him that everyone had to come in for an interview. Obviously. not the case.
I attempted to apply for GE, it was more invasive than the background check for NSA employment. Not worth giving up your privacy when I've never had to wait more than 10mins at immigration
Lmao, what privacy? The DHS & TSA know everything about you before you even step foot in the airport. Folks that talk about privacy crack me up. Probably got an Iphone or Alexa haha.
As GE doesn't include an in-person visit from an FBI agent for you and all of your references, not sure your statement that it's more invasive than the NSA background check is entirely true...
Da heck are you talking about. I also did my first GE in 2021 and I have worked at the DOD with secret clearance. Night and day comparison. The amount of info secret clearance requires is ridiculous AND they follow up. My top 5 references got calls from the state department validating everything I reported.
I work for a government agency, and even the lowest level of the clearance is substantially more invasive than Global Entry. You don't need to provide no where near as much information about you, and no one from DHS/TSA will visit/call your neighbors, previous employers, friends, etc...
"Fortunately that’s an easy enough process, as you can just attend an interview when passing through an immigration facility while returning to the United States."
Your mileage may vary.
Staffing (at SFO) has made this anywhere from trivial (no line, walk up, done in two minutes), to impossible ("sorry, we're not staffed to do renewals right now, come back another day") for the members of the Doubt family.
At least at SFO, you cannot...
"Fortunately that’s an easy enough process, as you can just attend an interview when passing through an immigration facility while returning to the United States."
Your mileage may vary.
Staffing (at SFO) has made this anywhere from trivial (no line, walk up, done in two minutes), to impossible ("sorry, we're not staffed to do renewals right now, come back another day") for the members of the Doubt family.
At least at SFO, you cannot *plan* to have it done on any given day by the re-entry walk up method.