How Long Does It Take to Get a Global Entry Interview Appointment?

After your Global Entry application is conditionally approved, the next step is to schedule an in-person interview with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). However, depending on your location, finding an available appointment can take time—sometimes weeks or even several months.

What Affects Appointment Availability?

🔍 Location – Major cities and busy enrollment centers tend to have longer wait times.

📅Time of Year – Peak travel seasons can lead to delays in scheduling.

CBP Staffing and Backlogs – Interview capacity varies by center and may fluctuate.

Some applicants report appointment availability as far out as 6 months or more, especially in areas like New York, Los Angeles, or San Francisco.

Can You Speed It Up?

While there is no way to expedite the process officially, here are a few tips that might help:

Check for cancellations – Appointment slots can open up unexpectedly.

Look at multiple enrollment centers – Some locations may have earlier availability.

📣 Consider “Enrollment on Arrival” – If you’re flying into certain U.S. airports from abroad, you can complete your interview when you land (no appointment needed).

✅ Helpful Tip:

Once conditionally approved, act quickly to book the earliest available interview. You can always reschedule later if an earlier time becomes available.