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Global Entry is a service that allows pre-screened passengers to skip immigration lines when re-entering their country. It’s very useful especially during holidays when airports can get clogged up with returning citizens and foreigners.
For interested applicants, the membership costs $100 which is valid for 5 years, making it $20 per year if you break it down annually. However, applicants need to pass the Global Entry interview first before they are granted full privileges.
Don’t worry because it’s a pretty straightforward interview. We’ll discuss everything that you need to know in this article so you can prepare for it.
Read More: TSA Precheck Renewal Guide
(Image courtesy of Canva Pro).
How To Apply For Global Entry?
You need to create a Trusted Travel Program account first before you can proceed with your Global Entry enrollment. On the homepage, just click the “Get Started” button on the Global Entry option and follow the next steps to proceed with your application.
The application form is very thorough because it will require you to provide personal information such as your address, employment status, criminal history, travel history, eye color, height, language preference, and more.
Once you’ve filled out all the required information, you will be required to pay a fee of $100 and schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center. You can pay for the fee via credit cards, bank transfers, or travel credit cards that have a Global Entry statement credit.
Take note that the fee is non-refundable so you won’t get it back if ever you don’t pass the Global Entry interview. Separate applications are needed for each applicant regardless of age.
Having a Global Entry membership also includes TSA Precheck benefits which let you skip security lines when traveling within the U.S. or from the U.S. You can choose to apply for a TSA Precheck membership separately which costs $85 for five years. However, it’s best that you get Global Entry instead since there’s only a $15 price difference.
Who Is Eligible To Have Global Entry?
There are only three categories that are eligible for a Global Entry membership and they are:
- U.S. Citizens
- U.S. Permanent Residents
- Citizens who belong to the following partner countries (Check the links if you’re a citizen of the said countries:
What about Canadian citizens? Well, Canadian citizens who are members of the NEXUS Trusted Traveler program will also receive Global Entry benefits.
The difference between the two is that Global Entry is run by the US Customs and Border Protection alone while NEXUS is run by both the US Customs and Border Protection and the Canada Border Services Agency.
What To Expect During Your Global Entry Interview?
People think that the in-person interview is the most difficult part of the whole application process but it’s actually not. Once you’ve get a call from Global Entry, it means that they’ve already screened you and they think that you’re not a terrorist, wanted criminal, or someone who’s tied to any organization that can be a threat to the US Government.
What To Bring During The Interview?
Before you go to the interview make sure you bring the following documents with you:
- Invitation letter
- A valid passport or permanent resident card. People with two passports should bring both so the interviewer can include that information in their profile. This also allows you to use either passport at Global Entry kiosks.
- Documents that prove your residency. Examples would be utility bills, mortgage statements, Driver’s licenses, and other documents (aside from your passport and permanent resident card) that have your address on them.
You can check the exact documents that you need to bring on the “Interview Confirmation” link. Usually, the requirements vary depending on your citizenship and the program that you applied for.
Global Entry Interview Questions
The questions are very basic and they’re usually just a revised version of the questions asked on the online application form. They’ll start asking questions about your birthday, address, name, and other biographical information. After that, they’ll ask other background questions such as:
- What countries have you visited in the past?
- What is your purpose in joining Global Entry?
- What do you do for work and who do you work for?
- Do you have any criminal history?
- Did you have any issues with border patrol in the past?
Just relax and answer the questions honestly. Take note that they’ve already screened you before your interview so this is more of a verification process.
Enrollment On Arrival Interviews
The US CBP launched a new program called the Enrollment on Arrival which allows conditionally approved applicants to have their interview done when they arrive in the United States.
This means that applicants must first submit an online application, wait for a call/email to confirm that they’re conditionally approved, and then show up at a designated interview center.
As of now, the EOA is available in the following US airports:
- Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport (PHX)
- Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- Denver International Airport (DEN)
- Philadelphia International Airport (PHL).
The documents that you need to bring for the interview are similar: A valid passport / permanent resident card, proof of residency, and confirmation letter.
Read More:
How To Get Global Entry With Credit Cards
A lot of hotel and travel credit cards come with TSA Global Entry statement credits. This means that you pay for the application fee using your credit card and you’ll get a reimbursement in your account. Here are some credit cards that you can apply for and we’ve grouped them into three categories basing on the type of card they are.
Rewards Credit Cards
- Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
Hotel and Airline Credit cards
- Chase Aeroplan® Credit Card
- IHG® Rewards Premier Credit Card
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- Delta SkyMiles® Platinum Business American Express Card
- United Explorer℠ Card
Business Credit Cards
- Southwest® Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
- The Business Platinum Card® from American Express
Read More: Atlanta Airport Gets A Dedicated Delta TSA Precheck Bag Drop Lobby
Global Entry VS TSA PreCheck VS Nexus
TSA Precheck is for people who want to skip security lines when they are traveling from a U.S. airport whether domestically or internationally. The membership fee is $85 every five years.
Global Entry on the other hand is for people who want to skip immigration lines when they are entering the US from another country. For a membership fee of $100, you’ll get both Global Entry and TSA Precheck benefits for five years.
Now, NEXUS works like Global Entry, however, it only applies to Canada and the US. The membership fee is $50 per five years and it allows you to skip security checks whenever you’re entering Canada or the U.S. Eligible applicants only include membership are U.S. citizens, U.S. lawful permanent residents, Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents, and Mexican nationals.
Bottomline
Having a Global Entry membership is very convenient for people who often travel abroad. For only $20 a year, you get to skip the long security lines that are too stressful to deal with.
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