No one likes waiting in airport security lines. Many people are looking for ways to get through security faster, like with Global Entry, which gets you into the faster TSA PreCheck lines at U.S. airports.
However, you may have to wait months before you can get at interview at the nearest Global Entry center. It may be hard to get an interview, but some enrollment centers accept walk-ins when you are arriving from an international flight.
Here’s everything you need to know about how to get a walk-in interview, where to get it and how to get your Global Entry fee reimbursed.
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What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agency program that allows low-risk travelers expedited clearance through customs upon returning to the U.S. through select airports. To qualify, you’ll have to complete a Global Entry application and have an in-person interview. Once you’re approved for the program you can breeze through customs by heading to the Global Entry kiosks and scanning your passport or U.S. permanent resident card, scanning your fingerprints and then completing a short U.S. customs form.
The Global Entry application fee is $100, but you can get that reimbursed with any of the top credit cards with Global Entry fee credits.
Why you should get Global Entry?
Not only can Global Entry save you from waiting in long lines to clear U.S. customs, but you’ll have access to TSA PreCheck expedited security benefits. I’ve found that nothing improves my mood at the airport more than entering the short TSA PreCheck line and not having to remove my belt or take out my laptop when going through the checkpoint.
Plus, Global Entry is valid for five years (just like TSA PreCheck) and you can renew a Global Entry membership up to one year before it expires.
How to qualify for a walk-in Global Entry interview
First you must apply for Global Entry and receive conditional approval before scheduling an interview. With many U.S. Customs and Border Protection agents assigned to the southern border, many locations are scheduling Global Entry interviews months in advance.
If you can’t secure an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center nearest to your home, you can try to schedule an interview at a center farther away or you might be able to get an interview on arrival from an international flight at select locations listed below.
Here is how you qualify for an interview on arrival:
- You must already have received conditional approval
- You must be returning from an international trip
- You’ll need to bring your passport, documents providing evidence of residency: a driver’s license with your current address, mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill or a permanent resident card (if applicable)
When you arrive, follow signs directing you to the Customs and Border Protection officers for your Global Entry interview.
What’s the difference between TSA PreCheck and Global Entry?
TSA PreCheck and Global Entry are very different.
TSA PreCheck gives you an exclusive lane when passing through most domestic airport security checkpoints. You won’t have to remove toiletries or your computer from your bag. You won’t even need to take off your shoes, jacket or belt. It’s a fantastic upgrade to the entire airport experience — and it’s far more convenient than Global Entry to enroll. Read our TSA PreCheck enrollment review.
Just as TSA PreCheck speeds along your domestic travel, Global Entry speeds along your international travel, as you won’t have to wait in the immigration line. Anyone who travels abroad even a couple of times each year could end up saving hours at customs when re-entering the U.S. Plus, Global Entry comes with TSA PreCheck.
How to get your Global Entry fee reimbursed
When you apply for or renew Global Entry you pay a $100 fee, but you can be reimbursed if you pay with certain credit cards, such as:
- Southwest Rapid Rewards® Performance Business Credit Card
- The Platinum Card® from American Express
- The Business Platinum® Card from American Express
- Chase Sapphire Reserve®
- Capital One® Spark® Miles for Business
- Citi® / AAdvantage® Executive World Elite™ Mastercard®
- Bank of America®️ Premium Rewards®️ Visa®️ credit card
- Hilton Honors Aspire Card from American Express
- Marriott Bonvoy Brilliant™ American Express® Card
- Capital One® Venture® Rewards Credit Card
- United℠ Explorer Card
The top credit cards for Global Entry have annual fees, but cards like the United℠ Explorer Card and Capital One Venture card have the annual fees waived for the first year. You can get Global Entry for free if you open either card to pay your fee, and that’s in addition to the rewards you can earn. For example, the Capital One Venture currently has an offer for 50,000 bonus miles (worth at least $500 in travel) after you spend $3,000 on the card in the first three months of account opening.
Many of these cards have made our list of the best credit cards for travel and have perks that easily make it worth paying the annual fee because they have benefits above and beyond a Global Entry fee credit. If you want airport lounge access, free checked bags or just a big introductory bonus, you can get those perks (with many of these cards) on top of your Global Entry fee reimbursement.
Global Entry enrollment centers that accept walk-ins
These Global Entry Enrollment Centers accept walk-ins. However, you might have to wait — sometimes only minutes and other times hours — there’s no guarantee you will be seen at all.
Domestic airports
Alaska
Ted Stevens Anchorage International Airport (ANC)
- On arrival from an international flight
Arizona
Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport
- 11 a.m. – 2 p.m.
California
John Wayne Airport (SNA)
- 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX)
- 6 a.m. – 9 p.m. (Tom Bradley Terminal)
- 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. (Terminal 2)
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Terminal 4)
- 11 a.m. – 7 p.m. (Terminal 7)
Norman Y. Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC)
- 8:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Oakland International Airport (OAK)
- 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Sacramento International Airport (SMF)
- 6 p.m. – 2 a.m.
San Diego International Airport (SAN)
- 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
San Francisco International Airport
- 6 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Terminal G)
- 9 a.m. – 1 a.m. (Terminal A)
Colorado
Denver International Airport (DIA)
- Monday – Friday 10 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Florida
Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport (FLL)
- 10 a.m. – 8 p.m. (Terminal One)
- 5 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Terminal Four)
Orlando International Airport (MCO)
- 6 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Airside One)
- 6 a.m. – 12 a.m. (Airside Two)
Orlando Sanford International Airport (SFB)
- 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Tampa International Airport (TPA)
- 9am – 10pm
Miami International Airport
- 4 a.m. – 11 p.m. (North Terminal, Concourse D)
- Open 24 hours (South Terminal, Concourse J)
Georgia
Atlanta Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport
- 1 p.m. – 9 p.m. (E Concourse)
- 5 a.m. – 9 p.m. (F Concourse)
Hawaii
Honolulu International Airport (HNL)
- 8 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Illinois
Chicago Midway International Airport (MDW)
- On arrival from international flights
Chicago O’Hare International Airport (ORD)
- 8 a.m. – 8 p.m., Monday – Friday (Enrollment on arrival available at Booth 58 if returning from foreign)
Kentucky
Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport (CVG)
- 1 p.m. – 3 p.m. (daily)
- 11 p.m. – 1 a.m. (Sunday, Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday)
Louisiana
Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport
- On arrival from an international flight
Maryland
Baltimore-Washington International Airport (BWI)
- 2:15 p.m. – 5 p.m.
Michigan
Detroit Metropolitan Airport (DTW)
- 9:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m. (McNamara Terminal)
- 10 a.m. – 5 p.m. (North Terminal)
Minnesota
Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport (MSP)
- On arrival from an international flight (Terminals 1 and 2)
Missouri
Kansas City International Airport (MCI)
- 2 p.m. – 10 p.m.
St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL)
- 12 p.m. – 10 p.m.
New Jersey
Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
- 5 a.m. – 10 p.m. (Terminal B)
- 12 p.m. – 8 p.m. (Terminal C)
New York
John F. Kennedy International Airport
- 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 a.m. (Terminal 1)
- 24 hours (Terminal 4)
- 6 a.m. – 10:30 p.m. (Terminal 5)
- 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (Terminal 7)
- 6:00 a.m. to 12:00 a.m. (Terminal 8)
Buffalo Niagara International Airport (BUF)
- Seasonal international flight arrivals with varying times
Nevada
McCarran International Airport (LAS)
- 10 a.m. – 7 p.m.
North Carolina
Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT)
- 1 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Ohio
John Glenn Columbus International Airport (CMH)
- On arrival from international flights
Oregon
Portland International Airport (PDX)
- 9 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Pennsylvania
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)
- 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Texas
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS)
- On arrival from international flights
Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport (DFW)
- 5 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Houston George Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAH)
- 5 a.m. – 12 a.m.
San Antonio International Airport (SAT)
- 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
William P. Hobby Airport (HOU)
- 7 a.m. – 9 p.m.
Utah
Salt Lake City International Airport (SLC)
- 12:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Virginia
Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD)
- 9 a.m. – 11 p.m.
Washington
Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA)
- 6 a.m. – 10 p.m.
International Airports
Aruba
Aruba Queen Beatrix International Airport
- When arriving from an international flight
Bahamas
Grand Bahamas International Airport
- During international departures
Lynden Pindling Nassau International Airport
- During international departures
Bermuda
L.F. Wade International Airport
- 6:30 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Canada
Calgary International Airport (YYC)
- 4:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Edmonton International Airport (YEG)
- 4:30 a.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YYC)
- 5 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Montréal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
- 4:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Ottawa Macdonald–Cartier International Airport (YOW)
- 4:30 a.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport (YWG)
- 5 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
- 6 a.m. – 8 p.m.
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)
- 6 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Ireland
Dublin International Airport
- 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. (Friday, Saturday, Sunday and Monday)
Shannon International Airport
- During international departures
United Arab Emirates
Abu Dhabi International Airport
- During international flight processing
Bottom line
Many Global Entry Enrollment Centers accept walk-ins upon arrival from an international flight, though some have special conditions. Bring a book, because you might have to wait.
But if you have a Global Entry center nearby, or are traveling through an airport on the way back to the U.S. from an international trip, it’s worth checking for a walk-in appointment if you’d otherwise have to wait months to schedule an interview.
Let us know about your experience obtaining a Global Entry interview as a walk-in.
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Featured image by Jacob_09/Shutterstock.
Any updates from anybody on Boston Logan International taking walk-ins ?
does logan allow walk ins
Did you find out?
Can I walk in appointment for an interview at San Jose Airport? I have conditional approval for my renewal of Global Entry but I need to get an interview
@Michael Freitas – were you able to get walkin at SJC?
Orlando (MCO) enrollment center should be back at the main terminal starting February 24th. Hopefully.
Appointments ONLY for new and renewal interviews.Current GE members requiring updates do not need appointments.
Phone:407 825-4366
email: mcoglobalentry@cbp.dhs.gov
I applied for global entry last year and paid the fee. I am still waiting to be contacted for an in person interview. I applied last October (2019). This doesn’t seem right. However, I’m not sure how to proceed. Can you please advise what to do?
Thank You
Be patient. When you get to the conditionally approved status you can book an appointment…look often for cancellations
NO…most enrollment centers do NOT accept walk-ins…they are appointment only and booked solid for MONTHS.
This is a very popular program.
As stated many times before…this article is about enrollment on arrival after an international flight… NOT about walking in to an enrollment center.
Most enrollment centers are by appointment ONLY except for changes to existing accounts.
I work at Oakland International Airport and would like you to know that the only way someone can obtain a Global Entry Interview is when they arrive on an international flight. OAK does not accept walk-ins, and I’m the guy who has to give applicants the bad news, so please change your website information. Thanks.