topic Global Entry Pass - Finalized Process Today! in Travel

Global Entry Pass - Finalized Process Today!

World Traveler — Mon, 04 Sep 2017 21:44:12 GMT

As many of you know, I finally got around to applying for a Global Pass. Why I haven't done that earlier is beyond me! All these years of traveling and I am now just getting around to it.

I mentioned on our Travel Chat thread in Among Friends that the process to apply required answering a lot of online questions, for obvious reasons. I started that process on February 26, 2017. On March 9 I received tentative approval. Not sure if that is the normal length of time to get approval or not. Perhaps having to check with each country I have been to, to make sure I wasn't a troublemaker, lengthened the process. Although I must say, that wasn't really so long to wait.

What really surprised me is that the two closest places to go (one is 200 miles north of me and the other is 200 miles south of me) for the personal interview do not have openings until mid July! Since I am leaving on my trip mid June, that is not good news. I was hoping to go for the in-person interview sometime this month, as I wasn't sure how long it took after that personal interview to receive the final okay.

I won't even be in the United States in mid July, so there is no rush now to get it done. I will have to wait until I get back from Europe the beginning of August.

I am curious though. What has been the experience of any of you who have applied for a Global Pass. @JudyL @Alter Ego @Stray, do you have Global Passes? I think you told me you do. If so, what has been your experience with applying for it? I meet people all over the place who have them and LOVE how easy it is to use them.

For those of you who are interested in applying, it is $100, and I believe it is good for five years. $20/yr is worth it for me.

Re: Global Pass

Alter Ego — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 02:54:48 GMT

I do NOT have it, but I really should get it. I should be getting my new passport shortly, so you may be inspiring me to apply.

Would love to hear other's experiences with the interview!

Re: Global Pass

Stray — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 13:00:35 GMT

Some of my friends applied and the process was painless and all went to Liberty Airport in NJ. They report that the application was the longest part but the actual interview was less than 10 mins. between the wait and interview. I imagine the experience is different if there is a question about any answers....none did

I dont feel I need it. I live closer to Liberty but fly in and out of JFK because the airport is more efficient. I fly mostly international and very little domestic travel. I am on TSA pre check and "Clear" from delta plus I use the passport app when necessary. I don't think global access gives me any advantage. I don't spend any more than 20 mins from landing and stepping into the car. I feel that airports are getting more efficient and are using technology to their advantage and the process is much better going through customs. The passport app is great because you can avoid using the terminals to fill out your customs form and do it on board.

Re: Global Pass

KLm — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 18:26:45 GMT

@Stray, could you give more info on the passport app? Did you just download it from the app store? Is there one you recommend over another? Pardon if it's a ridiculous question but I have never heard of this and would be interested in it. TIA....all of this is helpful info, thanks to all....

Re: Global Pass

hanea — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 21:00:08 GMT

Hi! I applied for Global Entry at the end of January. It took about two weeks to receive the notice to make my interview appointment at the airport about 20 minutes from my home. Luckily, I was able to make an appointment for the interview for the next day. The interview took about 10 minutes and then I had to watch a 5 minute video. I've had my Global Entry card now for about two weeks.

The officer said that in larger cities the wait for an interview was often 6-8 months. He had passergers schedule a longer layover here so they could do the interview during their layover instead of waiting so long at their "home" airport.

Re: Global Pass

World Traveler — Mon, 13 Mar 2017 22:17:57 GMT

@hanea Thank you for your reply. Wish I would have started sooner. 😩 So glad you got yours faster.😆 The two places that are closest to me are definitely large cities. Bummer!

Re: Global Pass

Stray — Tue, 14 Mar 2017 01:58:04 GMT

@KLm wrote:
@Stray, could you give more info on the passport app? Did you just download it from the app store? Is there one you recommend over another? Pardon if it's a ridiculous question but I have never heard of this and would be interested in it. TIA....all of this is helpful info, thanks to all....

@KLm- you can download it from the App Store....it's called mobile passport ....it will say its officially approved by customs and border control.

Re: Global Pass

KLm — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 20:43:49 GMT

Thanks so much, @stray! Very helpful.

Re: Global Pass

granddi — Wed, 15 Mar 2017 22:16:00 GMT

The April 2017 issue of Money Mag describes another option called Mobile Passport. This is a free government authorized app called Mobile Passport. You will provide basic personal information and passport details. You also take a selfie that will be saved to your profile.

When you arrive in the US at one of the 21 participating airports, log on to the app and answer a few questions about yur trip. The app then generates a QR code that will take you to a dedicated Mobile Passport line and show to a CBP agent with your passport.

Don't have any knowledge or experience to say good or not. But if you cannot make the deadline for Global Entry this could be an option.

Re: Global Pass

Stray — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 15:17:17 GMT

@granddi wrote:
The April 2017 issue of Money Mag describes another option called Mobile Passport. This is a free government authorized app called Mobile Passport. You will provide basic personal information and passport details. You also take a selfie that will be saved to your profile.

When you arrive in the US at one of the 21 participating airports, log on to the app and answer a few questions about yur trip. The app then generates a QR code that will take you to a dedicated Mobile Passport line and show to a CBP agent with your passport.

Don't have any knowledge or experience to say good or not. But if you cannot make the deadline for Global Entry this could be an option.

@granddi- mentioned upthread....but, I've been using the mobile passport for over a year. I fly into JFK and follow the sign you see on the app itself and the last time I flew in from Europe, my driver told me that from landing and meeting him, it took 22 mins and most of that was taxiing, deplaning and the long walk....customs was a breeze....i travel a lot and since using the app., I see no need for Global Entry....actually, the global entry line as longer than mobile passport as not as many people know about it. I live closer to Liberty but feel JFK is more efficient....I probably lose time commuting from JFK to my home in NJ depending on my arrival time...but I'm not driving, no plane to catch and it doesn't bother me...but it's a good app

Re: Global Pass

World Traveler — Sun, 26 Mar 2017 17:53:01 GMT

@Stray I know you have mentioned the Mobile Passport before and so I tried it coming in from Ireland last summer, and it did not work for me. I tried entering the information while we were taxing up to our gate, and the whole time I was standing in the "regular line," still trying to make it work, I saw all these people speeding thru the Mobile line. Grrrr!

@granddi I had already taken care of the selfie and other information prior to leaving for Ireland. But trying to get back into Customs using the faster line, for some reason the process would not complete/confirm on my app, and thus I never got the QR code. Very frustrating. Am quite sure it was something I was not doing correctly, even though I kept trying to start over with regard to my flight number, etc., and followed directions/prompts.

Update on Global Pass initial post. The nearest major city near me (200 miles from home) doesn't have an opening until end of August. It was July a couple of weeks ago, but I'll see be overseas. And since I am leaving mid-June, there was no rush any more.

Since I work and their days and hours do not include weekends, the first free week day I have available is on Monday, Labor Day. So glad they will be open!

I do want to try the Mobile Passport again this mid-June for summer trip, but will have the Global Pass as a backup for future trips. Will see what happens! I may not need the GP if I can figure the MP out!

Re: Global Pass

Stray — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 04:48:51 GMT

@World Traveler- I don't know what could be wrong....you had battery power... I use my iPad rather than my phone because it drains too fast....I've had no trouble at all with the app...

Re: Global Pass

Stray — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 13:49:41 GMT

Ps @World Traveler- were you sure you were connected to airport wifi?

Re: Global Pass

Lainie T — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 16:49:23 GMT

@World Traveler, thanks for mentioning the Mobile Passport App! I don't know how I missed that bit of info, but now I've added it to my phone. It might (if I can get it to work) come in handy next time we travel outside of the U.S.

Re: Global Pass

World Traveler — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 17:06:58 GMT

@Stray wrote:
@Ps @World Traveler- were you sure you were connected to airport wifi?

@Stray Hmmmmm........I am quite sure I was on AT&T once I landed, and remained so while in the airport. But.......maybe you just figured it out! That would be a big DUH on my part if that is what the problem was. Good catch! I'll make sure next time.

Re: Global Pass

Stray — Mon, 27 Mar 2017 22:27:36 GMT

@World Traveler wrote:
@Stray wrote:
@Ps @World Traveler- were you sure you were connected to airport wifi?
@Stray Hmmmmm........I am quite sure I was on AT&T once I landed, and remained so while in the airport. But.......maybe you just figured it out! That would be a big DUH on my part if that is what the problem was. Good catch! I'll make sure next time.

@World Traveler- yes, you have to land and then connect to airport wifi It's good for 4 hours

Re: Global Pass - Finalized Process

World Traveler — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 00:47:31 GMT

Hi, everyone! I am dredging up this thread that I started on March 12, 2017 and I also copied/pasted the even older (February 26, 2017) post that I put in our original Travel Chat thread (before the Travel Forum was created), that the Moderators kindly have given us access too, because I completed the process today, Labor Day. YAY!!!!! If you are interested in doing the same thing, you might want to read my February entry below (in red).

It took me four hours to drive one way to the closest place for the final stage of the process today...face-to-face meeting with the Customs and Border Protection unit. And as some of you have pointed out, it really did only take FIVE MINUTES with the officials to take care of the final process. They sat down and talked with me (does she look like a threat or not? ha!), finger printed me, took my photo, and sent me on my way. They did update the countries I have visited, because since the time I started applying for this pass, I have been to an additional ten countries. So the guy entered that information.

I was not prepared for the photo taking; didn't even occur to me. So I had no makeup on. Not that those type of photos are portrait-quality; however, I would like to have not looked like I had just come out from under a rock after hibernation! Dread looking at the photo when it comes in the mail.

The other thing was that I didn't expect them to fingerprint me. Not a problem, but they have all my records on file, including the fingerprinting that was done some years ago when I went for my TSA Pre-Check clearance. And they knew of the various places I have worked and many of those required I be fingerprinted, due to the confidentiality of some of my jobs. So my fingerprints and record are accessible to anyone in law enforcement or homeland security. Oh, well.....

Here is my original post showing what questions are asked when you apply online:

Well, I just completed the online application for getting a GE pass for traveling. Should have done this a long time ago. Not sure why I haven't.

If you have not done this and you travel a lot, I suggest you consider it. The pass will mean you do not have to go thru any processing lines, no paperwork, access to expedited entry benefits in other countries, reduced wait times, etc. It is good for five years. This is different from the PreCheck pass that is for the United States only, I believe. The Global Entry is international.

The process, for me at least, took quite some time online. They want to know EVERYTHING about you, and for good reason. They say that "there is no expectation of privacy when you use this computer system" when logging onto the Department of Homeland Security computers.

There are 16 screens/pages you need to fill out online, and each page has several things to respond to:

Personal Information
Other Names Used
Date and Place of Birth
Contact Information
Citizenship Information
Admissibility Documents (if it is different from your passport)
Primary Residence
Driver's License
Current Address
Address History
Current Employment Status (includes address and phone number)
Employment History
Travel History (name ALL the places you have been to in the last five years; they have a list of countries to select from; you don't include Canada or Mexico; I listed 52)
Additional Information (convictions, violation of customs laws, etc.)
Conveyance Information (something to do with SENTRI applicants who will travel from Mexico to the US in a vehicle; that vehicle must be registered if you use the SENTRI lanes)
Final Review and $100 payment

I got a reply that my credit card payment had been accepted and that the application is now pending review. They notify of approvals and appointment scheduling, and it is recommended that I check the site every few days for updates.

I hope there will be a choice of dates and times, along with which major airport I can choose from. Any way I look at it, it will be a four-hour drive for me to get to a major airport that is on their approved list in my state.

Here is the online address: cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/how-apply, or just Google it.

You must register first on GOES (Global Online Enrollment System), then you can fill out the application.

Those of you who already have the Global Pass, let us hear from you as to how well (or not!) it works for you. Thanks in advance!

Re: Global Pass - Finalized Process

gacat123 — Tue, 05 Sep 2017 16:05:48 GMT

@World Traveler

YAY! (Here, have a slice of Global Pass Cake)

How many years is this GP good for?

DH has the Pre-Check which is helpful with his in USA business flights. I can tag along on his Pre-Check when we travel together which is a good thing with the faster lines.

LOOK OUT JAPAN, HERE COMES MISS WT WITH HER NEW GLOBAL PASS!!!!

Keep Calm and Travel On,

CAT

Re: Global Pass

gacat123 — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 00:02:29 GMT

@World Traveler

Did you use the MOBILE PASS on your last travel adventure?

Now you have your GLOBAL PASS all lined up for Japan. <G>

I was telling DH about the Mobile Pass and it is free! I think we have to get on the airport WI-FI to make it work? If you used it did it work out for you? TIA

Keep Calm and Travel On,

CAT

Re: Global Entry Pass - Finalized Process Today!

Alter Ego — Sun, 10 Sep 2017 01:43:28 GMT

Well - you finally prompted me to fill out the application. Honestly- I had no idea some of the dates! I've technically worked for the same person forever, but the companies have changed. They'll probably be confused that the addresses and phone numbers are the same.

Probably won't get in time for November, but at least I finally did it!!