Global Entry - how long from interview to full approval?

[Anonymous]

We are all conditionally approved. How long from our interviews until when we can fully use the service - anyone want to share how long it took for them? Do we get a physical card or just a number? How does it work? Thx.

[Anonymous]

Just one day after the interview for the status to be changed to fully approved. Then our cards arrived about a week later.

You don’t need the cards though, just the PassID number. Once you put that number on your travelers profiles for the airlines you are all set.

[Anonymous]

Right away, I think. They gave me a piece of paper at the interview and said I was approved and (I think) that I could use it immediately. Though I didn't use it for a few weeks. The card came in the mail a bit later.

You don't actually need to use/show the card coming back, which I didn't realize.

[Anonymous]

99% of the time, you get the email before you get to your car. In my case, it was 1.5 years (end of the pandemic, they put my application in the wrong pile, human error).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Right away, I think. They gave me a piece of paper at the interview and said I was approved and (I think) that I could use it immediately. Though I didn't use it for a few weeks. The card came in the mail a bit later.

You don't actually need to use/show the card coming back, which I didn't realize.

FYI, yes this is true for airport as your point of re-entry to the US- don't need the physical card. But for ground and sea crossings/ports, you do need the card to use the GE line. Saved us over an hour re-entering the US at the border between Vancouver and Seattle a few summers ago.

[Anonymous]

Can you share what the whole process is for getting the Global Entry? How do I apply? Where? Interview? Where?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Can you share what the whole process is for getting the Global Entry? How do I apply? Where? Interview? Where?

Google Global Entry. If you can’t figure it out on your own, how are you even buying plane tickets? Figure it out.

[Anonymous]

One week, maybe two? I did my interview at the airport after a return trip after giving up trying to schedule an interview time online.

I might have gotten lucky but it was super easy. Actual interview was 5 minutes, but had to wait about 15-20 minutes as there was 1-2 in front of me. Card arrive in the mail 1-2 weeks later.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:One week, maybe two? I did my interview at the airport after a return trip after giving up trying to schedule an interview time online.

I might have gotten lucky but it was super easy. Actual interview was 5 minutes, but had to wait about 15-20 minutes as there was 1-2 in front of me. Card arrive in the mail 1-2 weeks later.

Your account becomes active and usable before the card arrives

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you share what the whole process is for getting the Global Entry? How do I apply? Where? Interview? Where?

Google Global Entry. If you can’t figure it out on your own, how are you even buying plane tickets? Figure it out.

+1

So annoying

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We are all conditionally approved. How long from our interviews until when we can fully use the service - anyone want to share how long it took for them? Do we get a physical card or just a number? How does it work? Thx.

Did interview on departure at IAD. By the time I sat down at my gate I had my approval and known traveler number. By the time I returned from my 10 day trip I had my card. I used my known traveler number for entry into the US. The end. Very easy and efficient.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are all conditionally approved. How long from our interviews until when we can fully use the service - anyone want to share how long it took for them? Do we get a physical card or just a number? How does it work? Thx.

Did interview on departure at IAD. By the time I sat down at my gate I had my approval and known traveler number. By the time I returned from my 10 day trip I had my card. I used my known traveler number for entry into the US. The end. Very easy and efficient.

OP here. Will be similar for us. So how exactly do we use the number on our return if we haven’t been home yet to get the cards from the mail? Thanks.

[Anonymous]

Same day. Did “interview” on way back from Mexico at Dulles. Went through global entry line without an appt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are all conditionally approved. How long from our interviews until when we can fully use the service - anyone want to share how long it took for them? Do we get a physical card or just a number? How does it work? Thx.

Did interview on departure at IAD. By the time I sat down at my gate I had my approval and known traveler number. By the time I returned from my 10 day trip I had my card. I used my known traveler number for entry into the US. The end. Very easy and efficient.

OP here. Will be similar for us. So how exactly do we use the number on our return if we haven’t been home yet to get the cards from the mail? Thanks.

You don't need the KTN for entering the US at an airport. Your GE profile will be linked to your passport and to the face scan you do at the GE interview. Just go to the GE kiosks when you reenter the US, it will scan your face and find you in the system. Worst comes to worst you scan your passport.

As for the KTN, it's actually in your conditional approval letter, or was for us years ago. Should be at the top of one of the pages. You only need that to put into your plane reservations to ensure you get PreCheck on your boarding pass

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are all conditionally approved. How long from our interviews until when we can fully use the service - anyone want to share how long it took for them? Do we get a physical card or just a number? How does it work? Thx.

Did interview on departure at IAD. By the time I sat down at my gate I had my approval and known traveler number. By the time I returned from my 10 day trip I had my card. I used my known traveler number for entry into the US. The end. Very easy and efficient.

OP here. Will be similar for us. So how exactly do we use the number on our return if we haven’t been home yet to get the cards from the mail? Thanks.

You don't need the KTN for entering the US at an airport. Your GE profile will be linked to your passport and to the face scan you do at the GE interview. Just go to the GE kiosks when you reenter the US, it will scan your face and find you in the system. Worst comes to worst you scan your passport.

As for the KTN, it's actually in your conditional approval letter, or was for us years ago. Should be at the top of one of the pages. You only need that to put into your plane reservations to ensure you get PreCheck on your boarding pass

The KTN should be listed as "PASSID" in the letter. Same thing.