Global Entry is a must-have for any international traveler. It gets you a quick trip through airport security with a TSA PreCheck membership and a fast pass through customs and immigration when returning to the U.S. from abroad, too.
But Global Entry enrollment (as well as other traveler programs like NEXUS and SENTRI) has been put on hold throughout the coronavirus pandemic as the federal government paused in-person interviews, the final step in signing up. After six months on pause, that's set to change next week.
Customs and Border Protection (CBP) announced Friday that enrollment centers will reopen Tuesday, Sept. 8. And that means you can reschedule your Global Entry interviews and finalize registration at many centers across the nation. Keep reading for a look at appointment availability at some major locations.
But changes are in store. CBP warns that in-person appointments will be reduced or staggered. They'll use plexiglass barriers, additional cleaning processes, and more social distancing policies.
Read the full guide to signing up for Global Entry!
Appointment Availability
If you've already been conditionally approved for Global Entry, now's your time to slide back into an interview slot and finalize your enrollment. And there's solid interview availability at many major airports and enrollment centers nationwide.
See the full interview schedule on the Global Entry site!
As promised, Minneapolis-St. Paul (MSP) has plenty of interview slots available starting Sept. 10.
Denver-based travelers can slide into an appointment straight away on Sept. 8.
The same is true at Miami (MIA), where appointments are wide-open.
And now that New Yorkers are able to sign up for Global Entry once again, they can schedule appointments starting Sept. 10.
The list goes on. These interview slots may fill up fast, so be sure to schedule yours ASAP if you're looking to finalize Global Entry enrollment (or renewal.)
Bottom Line
After six months on hold, Global Entry enrollment will start back up again next week. And although international travel will be hard for the foreseeable future, it's still a welcome change.
I have a long standing appointment in ATL on July 10. Do you think I should check before I go? It really seems almost impossible to try to call their office at the airport. I’ve been expired since December and first applied for renewal 1 year ago!! I would have just done it in customs, but all my trips have been cancelled. lol
As it happens, my husband and I had submitted applications for Global Entry and had received conditional approval with appointments prior to a trip to the UK in early March. We came home early – on 20 March, through JFK and tried to do the on the spot interview, and even though there were many TSA agents just sitting there-it was the slowest I have ever seen it – they refused. I continue to get multiple emails weekly about doing the unscheduled interview upon entry – not sure why. But I actually have an interview that had been scheduled for 7 July at SLC. I just checked and it has not been cancelled, so it looks like they are still planning to resume.
We saw the windows were opened and snagged an appointment at a location near us!