Global Entry Process and How to Have the Least Delay for the Interview Process

Even though Sam’s Passport is not authorized to step in and assist with the Global Entry Process, we still like to help in any way we can. We’ve been fielding numerous calls on the extensive delay on the Interview Appointment Process for the Global Entry Program (one gentleman has been waiting 8 months!) so we decided to make a few calls and we received some valuable information and would like to share it with you.  

To summarize the Global Entry Program and the benefits associated with it, this is a government program that allows approved travelers to use the automated kiosk at customs counters and skip the line. There is a nonrefundable $100 application fee to initiate your online portal to start the process and there are a many credit cards out there that reimburse this fee.  

Current wait times for the in-person interview are in some locations not even being accepted at this time. Below are three ways to counteract this hurdle and get your appointment completed before your next out of country itinerary.  

  1. Call your local appointment offices on Monday and ask if there have been any cancellations for this upcoming week and if you can sub in for that appointment time 
  2. Go into your profile and widen your search for local offices for available dates and times for the appointment 
  3. Call other offices within what you consider a comfortable driving distance and see if they have an appointment. We phoned the office in Mission, Texas and they had multiple appointments available, as an example.  

Here are some helpful links for everything to know about Global Entry: 

We hope this information helps! Call us and let us know if you were able to get your appointment pushed up or if you are still facing delays. We love any and all feedback! Hopefully this advantage will get your vacation / business endeavor started hours earlier rather than standing in a customs line!