Global Entry Interview Wait Times: A Faster Way to Get Approved

The Cost of Waiting for Global Entry

• ✈️ The speaker highlights the significant wait times for Global Entry interviews, comparing an hour-long customs line at DFW to a 20-minute car transport through a Swiss mountain tunnel.
• 💰 The Global Entry program costs $120, with some travel reward credit cards offering reimbursement.

Personal Experience with Global Entry

• ✅ The speaker shares a positive experience using Global Entry for expedited entry into the US after a trip to Costa Rica, getting through customs in about a minute.
• ⏳ Many individuals who have paid the fee and received conditional approval are facing long waits, with some being told it could take 12 to 14 months for an interview.

CBP's Explanation and a Workaround

• 📉 Customs and Border Protection (CBP) attributes the delays to catching up after COVID, not budget or staffing cuts.
• 🗓️ Current average wait times for Global Entry interviews are reported to be 6 to 12 months.
• 💡 A workaround for those awaiting interviews is to request Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival when returning from an international trip, which CBP assures can be done on the spot.