Don’t Wait Months! Here’s Another Clever Shortcut to Getting a Same-Day Global Entry Interview!

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Having a Global Entry membership is a fantastic way to save time and reduce frustration at the airport.  It’s a simple process to apply online.  But you’ll also have to attend an interview at an enrollment center before you’re approved.

Getting a Global Entry interview appointment can take a long time depending on where you schedule it.  Sometimes months!

But with Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival, you can get a same-day Global Entry interview if you’re flying to the US.  And it’s recently been expanded to include a total of 16 airports.

Dont Wait Months Heres Another Clever Shortcut To Getting A Same Day Global Entry Interview
There’s a New Option for Global Entry Interviews! But You’ll Have to Be Traveling Into Certain US Airports to Get in on the Trick!

I’ll show you how (and where) you can get a Global Entry interview when you enter the US.  No appointment needed!

Don’t Wait Months for a Global Entry Appointment – Enroll on Arrival Instead!

Link:   Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival

Link:   Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival Expansion

Savvy travelers know Global Entry is a terrific time-saver at the airport.  With Global Entry, you won’t have to wait in a long line at customs when you return to the US.  And when you’re flying on a participating airline, you’ll usually save time at airport security because you’ll almost always get TSA PreCheck.

Many folks have experienced frustration with getting a Global Entry interview appointment (including me!), because at some locations the wait time can be 6 months!  At certain spots, it’s been possible to get a walk-in, same-day interview if you’re willing to wait, but folks report mixed success.

Dont Wait Months Heres Another Clever Shortcut To Getting A Same Day Global Entry Interview
Global Entry Is Worth the Effort! It’s a Huge Time Saver Both at Customs and Airport Security

But there’s a workaround that’s now even better than before.  Earlier this year, Global Entry introduced the Enrollment on Arrival program at 5 airports.  And they’ve just expanded to 11 new locations (for a total of 16 airports).

With Enrollment on Arrival, folks who’ve been conditionally approved for Global Entry do NOT need an interview appointment.  Instead, if you’re entering the US, you can stop in and get an interview right at the airport!

How Does Enrollment on Arrival Work?

To get a Global Entry interview through Enrollment on Arrival, you must have already applied and been conditionally approved for Global Entry.  The interview is the final step in the process.

You do NOT need to schedule an interview.  Instead, when you arrive at the airport to clear customs, look for the signs directing you to Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival.  You’ll just need your regular travel documentation (passport) and any other additional documents that were requested in your approval email (court documents, address change, etc).
Dont Wait Months Heres Another Clever Shortcut To Getting A Same Day Global Entry Interview
You’ll Need Your Passport and Any Other Supporting Documentation Global Entry Has Requested to Complete an Enrollment on Arrival Interview

A Customs and Border protection officer will complete the usual primary processing for arriving into the US.  And will also do the Global Entry interview, photographs, and fingerprints.

Here are the current participating airports:

  • Austin (AUS)
  • Dallas – Fort Worth (DFW)
  • Denver (DEN)
  • Detroit (DTW)
  • Houston (IAH and HOU)
  • Minneapolis – St. Paul (MSP)
  • San Jose (SJC)
  • Philadelphia (PHL)
  • Phoenix (PHX)
  • Salt Lake City (SLC)
  • San Diego (SAN)
  • San Francisco (SFO)
  • Seattle (SEA)
  • Toronto (YYZ)
  • Vancouver (YVR)
Note:   You’re able to do Enrollment on Arrival at Toronto and Vancouver because you pre-clear US Customs and Immigration before departing to the US.

If you already have a Global Entry interview appointment scheduled, you can still use Enrollment on Arrival.  After completion of the interview, they’ll cancel your future appointment.

I don’t have personal experience with this method, so I’m not sure how long the typical wait time is.  If you’re connecting through one of these airports, it’s best if you leave yourself a lot of time (or ask about the wait time first) before committing to the interview process!

This is an extra convenient way to get a Global Entry interview if you’re already traveling into the US.  But if you don’t have travel plans, check out this exclusive deal for Million Mile Secrets readers that can help you get a Global Entry appointment faster!

Applying for Global Entry?  Use the Right Credit Card!

Global Entry costs $100 and is valid for 5 years.  But if you use certain cards, you’ll be reimbursed the application fee after you apply.

These cards offer a Global Entry fee credit:

Depending on the card, you can get a fee credit every 4 or 5 years.  And if you’ve already got Global Entry, you can use the credit for a friend or family member’s application instead!

Bottom Line

If you’ve been conditionally approved for Global Entry but are frustrated with the wait time to get an interview, there’s another option!

With Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival, folks arriving by air into the US at certain airports can get a walk-in interview.  No appointment needed!  And the program has recently expanded to a total of 16 airports, which now include Dallas, Denver, Minneapolis, Salt Lake City, and Philadelphia.

This is a nice workaround if you’d otherwise be waiting months for an interview and already have travel plans back into the US.  But don’t forget to check out this exclusive deal that can help you get an appointment sooner if you aren’t traveling through a participating airport!

Have you used Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival?  I’d love to hear about your experience!

Editorial Note: We're the Million Mile Secrets team. And we're proud of our content, opinions and analysis, and of our reader's comments. These haven’t been reviewed, approved or endorsed by any of the airlines, hotels, or credit card issuers which we often write about. And that’s just how we like it! :)

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