US Global Entry Program
Discussion
I’ve got a short stopover when flying from Heathrow to Miami then on to Barbados.
I applied to & got a UK access code but unsure if I can use the US Global Entry Program ($100ea)? There seems to be 4 or so different programs & unsure if I can access them now. I just need to expedite my entry to catch the next flight thus the application.
Any experience of this would be appreciated.
I applied to & got a UK access code but unsure if I can use the US Global Entry Program ($100ea)? There seems to be 4 or so different programs & unsure if I can access them now. I just need to expedite my entry to catch the next flight thus the application.
Any experience of this would be appreciated.
Someone will confirm, but I think for your first Global Entry visit you have to have an interview so that might not help shorten your timeline. I haven't used it yet, but for my next trip I've downloaded the CBP MPC app where you submit passport info when you arrive which should streamline things. Returning visa waiver travelers are eligible, if that applies to you.
ewolg said:
Yes I’ve read the interview can be on entry & will have done the ESTA form beforehand. I’m still not sure I am eligible though (& not wanting to waste $200!)
https://ttp.dhs.gov/This tell you which Trusted Traveller Program to apply for depending on your Nationality and circumstances.
Generally speaking you have to book an interview in advance at a specific time and location. Mine took 5 mins but was not at an airport.
Post Covid there were far fewer interviews available and in some areas none at all. There are interview desks at most major airports as well as other govt buildings but from when I was looking some were permanently closed.
My wife managed to get her interview at airport passport control but that was the general non US queue not the GE queue and only because it was very quiet at the time. You might get lucky but if it’s busy they might not want to hold up other GE passengers and aircrew who use the same lane.
Post Covid there were far fewer interviews available and in some areas none at all. There are interview desks at most major airports as well as other govt buildings but from when I was looking some were permanently closed.
My wife managed to get her interview at airport passport control but that was the general non US queue not the GE queue and only because it was very quiet at the time. You might get lucky but if it’s busy they might not want to hold up other GE passengers and aircrew who use the same lane.
If you want to expedite clearing for one trip then Global Entry is not the answer. The interview may only be 10+ minutes but you will almost certainly have to queue for the interview (1-2 hours wait is not unheard of, depending on location/time of day) and IIRC it is not immediately available after interview so you would then need to queue at passport control anyway. It's great if you make regular trips but it's not designed to be of use for a one-off.
Wife and kids got their global entry at Newark airport. We went through the normal line and then went to the GE queue. It took a couple of minutes for the people in front of my kids and then a minute for my kids. My wife did it a different time and her experience was the same.
We travel a lot though as a family. That makes it worthwhile for us. If it’s a single visit then it’s only going to delay you. Also, the cost was covered for all of us by credit cards.
I did clear as well. My wife refuses to sign up even though it’s free to us.
We travel a lot though as a family. That makes it worthwhile for us. If it’s a single visit then it’s only going to delay you. Also, the cost was covered for all of us by credit cards.
I did clear as well. My wife refuses to sign up even though it’s free to us.
tim0409 said:
I’ve signed up for Global Entry and I’m flying to Miami tomorrow so will update you with my experience/wait time etc. I have gone with interview on arrival so no appointment required (although you can book one if you want).
That would be very helpful, thanks! Pre booking a time might not be the best idea for us as you are dependent on flight arrival time which of course may be delayed.
Miami is not a great destination for global entry if it’s your final destination.
It’s one of the few airports I use that has baggage is prior to passport
I did my interview in JFK a couple of years ago, just asked on entry, didn’t wait long and took about 20 mins.
Worth noting, it only covers you, so if your travel with family they won’t have global entry or TSA pre
It’s one of the few airports I use that has baggage is prior to passport
I did my interview in JFK a couple of years ago, just asked on entry, didn’t wait long and took about 20 mins.
Worth noting, it only covers you, so if your travel with family they won’t have global entry or TSA pre
ewolg said:
That would be very helpful, thanks!
Pre booking a time might not be the best idea for us as you are dependent on flight arrival time which of course may be delayed.
We landed at Miami at 2.40pm today, and were off the plane by 3pm. There was a shortish walk to passport control, where we headed to Global Entry; we spoke to a chap briefly who checked our passports and took our fingerprints, stuck a note on our passports; we waited at a segregated area where the main luggage belt passes through - our luggage was there within a few minutes so we picked it up and followed the arrows to the desk where you are interviewed.Pre booking a time might not be the best idea for us as you are dependent on flight arrival time which of course may be delayed.
We were told to wait our turn (there was only one person in front of us and her interview took around 20 minutes. We were then called and after a fingerprint scan and a few brief questions we were told that it was all done. It probably took less than 15 mins for both my wife and I. In the time we were there I didn’t see anyone else waiting to be interviewed. The process took around 35-40 mins.
I should note that immigration control was obviously working well today because I could see people on the same flight collecting there bags at the same time as us
All in all it was painless and we were driving out the airport by 4pm (Alamos “skip the counter” is a god send!).
The Leaper said:
tim0409 said:
(Alamos “skip the counter” is a god send!).
So is Avis Preferredewolg said:
Ok thanks for the update, useful info. We are transiting to Barbados so I’m told if it’s the same booking number, the bags get put on that flight (hope!).
I guess I’ll have to weigh up if it’s quicker to go through normal immigration of take the interview as our flight is at 1740.
Just to add, as others have said, I don’t think I would be using GE in your circumstances. When we got to the area where they do the interviews there were 5/6 members of staff but only one interviewing. If there had been any sort of queue you would be in for a long wait and you can’t exactly back track to immigration. I’ve always found the border staff to be friendly and polite, but let’s just say I don’t think they would respond favourably to a request to jump the line so you could catch your flight…. I guess I’ll have to weigh up if it’s quicker to go through normal immigration of take the interview as our flight is at 1740.
tim0409 said:
Just to add, as others have said, I don’t think I would be using GE in your circumstances. When we got to the area where they do the interviews there were 5/6 members of staff but only one interviewing. If there had been any sort of queue you would be in for a long wait and you can’t exactly back track to immigration. I’ve always found the border staff to be friendly and polite, but let’s just say I don’t think they would respond favourably to a request to jump the line so you could catch your flight….
Thnaks,I've also read that you have to go through normal immigration & mention about GE at the desk. If I have to do that then I won't go on to GE in that case.
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