How to Schedule and Prepare for Your Global Entry Interview

What happens at a Global Entry interview and how to book one

A Global Entry interview is a one-on-one meeting with a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer who reviews your application and decides whether to approve your membership. The interview usually lasts 15 to 30 minutes. You will answer questions about your background, travel history, and why you want Global Entry. The officer may also ask about your employment, finances, and any criminal history.

You schedule the interview through the CBP's official scheduling system, called the Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program portal. You cannot book an interview until CBP has reviewed your initial application and sent you a conditional approval notice. Once you receive that notice, you log into the portal, select an enrollment center near you, and choose from available appointment times. Some locations fill up months in advance, so you may need to check back regularly or travel to a different center if your preferred location has no openings.

The interview itself is straightforward if you come prepared. Bring your passport, any travel documents CBP asks for, and proof of your current address. Answer questions honestly. The officer is not trying to trick you — they are verifying the information you submitted and assessing whether you are a low-risk traveler. Most people who show up on time with the right documents are approved on the spot or within a few days.

Key Takeaways

• You can only schedule an interview after CBP sends you a conditional approval notice following your initial application review.
• Interviews are booked through the CBP's Global Entry Trusted Traveler Program portal, where you select an enrollment center and time slot.
• Bring your valid passport, proof of address, and any documents CBP listed in your conditional approval notice.
• The interview typically lasts 15 to 30 minutes and covers your background, travel history, and reasons for wanting Global Entry membership.
• Most applicants are approved immediately after the interview or within a few business days if additional verification is needed.

Finding an enrollment center and checking appointment availability

CBP operates enrollment centers at airports, border crossings, and some other federal facilities across the United States. The portal shows you every center within a reasonable distance and tells you which ones have open slots. If your nearest center is fully booked, you have two options: check back frequently (cancellations happen regularly), or travel to a center farther away that has availability.

Appointment slots vary widely by location and season. Urban airports and major border cities often book solid three to six months out. Rural or smaller airports may have openings weeks or even months sooner. If you are flexible on location, you can sometimes get an interview within two to four weeks by choosing a less popular center. The portal updates in real time, so checking at different times of day may reveal newly opened slots.

Some enrollment centers operate by appointment only, while others accept walk-ins during specific hours. The portal will tell you which type each center is. If you book an appointment, arrive 10 to 15 minutes early. If you are using a walk-in window, go during the first hour it opens to avoid long waits.

Documents you need to bring to your interview

Your passport is non-negotiable. It must be valid for the entire duration of your Global Entry membership (typically five years). Bring the physical passport, not a copy. CBP will scan it and verify it against federal databases during your interview.

Bring proof of your current address. A utility bill, lease, mortgage statement, or government-issued ID with your current address all work. The document should be dated within the last 60 days. If you recently moved and your ID does not reflect your new address, bring both your old ID and a recent utility bill or lease showing your current address.

Check your conditional approval notice for any additional documents CBP may have requested. Some applicants are asked to bring employment verification, tax returns, or documentation related to their travel history. If CBP asked for something specific, bring it. If you cannot locate a document, bring a written explanation of why and what you did to find it — officers understand that some records are hard to retrieve.

Do not bring originals of documents you are not sure about. If CBP needs something beyond your passport and proof of address, they will tell you in the conditional approval notice. Bring copies of anything else you think might be relevant, but the officer will ask for originals only if they need them.

What to expect during the interview itself

You will check in at the enrollment center and wait to be called. An officer will take you to a private or semi-private area and begin by verifying your identity using your passport. They will then walk through your application, asking you to confirm or clarify information you submitted online.

Common questions include: Why do you travel frequently? What is your occupation? Have you ever been arrested or convicted of a crime? Have you ever been denied entry to a country? Do you have any financial ties outside the United States? Have you ever been involved in smuggling or trafficking? The officer is checking your answers against background databases and looking for inconsistencies or red flags.

Answer directly and honestly. If you do not know an answer, say so. If you made a mistake on your application, correct it now — the officer will discover it anyway, and correcting it yourself looks better than being caught in an error. If you are nervous or need a moment to think, that is fine. Officers conduct hundreds of these interviews and are used to people being a bit anxious.

At the end, the officer will usually tell you whether you are approved. If they need to verify something further, they will say so and give you a timeline for when you will hear back. Approval typically comes within a few business days if additional verification is needed.

After your interview: approval, denial, and next steps

If you are approved, you will receive a Global Entry card in the mail within one to two weeks. Your membership is active immediately, even before the card arrives — you can use your Known Traveler Number (KTN) at airport kiosks and border crossings right away. The KTN will be provided to you at the end of your interview or sent via email shortly after.

If you are denied, CBP will send you a letter explaining the reason. Common reasons include criminal history, inconsistencies in your application, or concerns about your travel patterns. You can request reconsideration by submitting additional information or clarification, but the process is slow and the outcome is uncertain. If you are denied, you keep your membership fee — it is not refunded.

If the officer asks you to provide additional documents after your interview, they will give you a deadline and instructions for submitting them. Submit everything they ask for before the deadline. Missing the deadline can result in denial.

Rescheduling or canceling your appointment

If you need to reschedule, log back into the portal and cancel your current appointment. This immediately frees up that slot for someone else. You can then book a new appointment at a different time or location. Cancellations are free and can be done at any time.

If you cancel and then cannot find another appointment for several months, consider whether a different enrollment center is worth the travel. Some people drive two or three hours to a less-booked center to get an interview sooner. The time and gas cost are usually worth it compared to waiting six months.

If you miss your appointment without canceling, CBP may deny your application. If this happens, you will need to reapply and pay the fee again. If you know you cannot make your appointment, cancel it as soon as possible.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I reschedule my interview if I get sick or have an emergency?

Yes. Log into the portal and cancel your appointment, then book a new one when you are ready. There is no penalty for canceling. If you miss your appointment without canceling, CBP may deny your application, so cancel as soon as you know you cannot attend.

What if I do not have a valid passport yet?

You cannot schedule a Global Entry interview without a valid passport. If your passport is expired or will expire before your Global Entry membership would end, renew it first through the State Department. Then complete your Global Entry application and schedule your interview once you receive conditional approval.

Do I need to bring my children to the interview if they are on my application?

Yes, if you applied for a family membership, each family member must attend their own interview. Children as young as infants can be included in Global Entry, but they must be present. Schedule separate appointment slots for each person or ask if your enrollment center allows multiple interviews in one visit.

What happens if I move before my interview?

Update your address in the portal before your interview. Bring proof of your new address to the appointment. If you move to a location far from your scheduled enrollment center, you can cancel and rebook at a center closer to your new home.

Can I use Global Entry before my card arrives?

Yes. Once you are approved, you receive your Known Traveler Number (KTN) immediately. You can use this number at airport kiosks and border crossings right away. The physical card is just a backup — the KTN is what matters.