CBP Restarts Global Entry Processing
Most Trusted Traveler enrollment facilities are reopened, except those at northern and southern borders will remain closed or limited
US Customs and Border Protection says it is reopening most of its Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment centers to the public on Sept. 8. The centers had been shut down since mid-March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Travelers who have been conditionally approved for the Global Entry program will be able to complete in-person interviews at most Trusted Traveler program enrollment centers in the United States. The interviews must be scheduled in advance; travelers can do so by logging into their accounts on the Trusted Traveler Programs website.
However CBP warns interview availability will vary by location, and with the prolonged shutdown of the enrollment centers, the backlog of Global Entry applicants may mean a long wait before interviews can be conducted.
As an alternative, CBP is encouraging travelers who have been conditionally approved for Global Entry to complete their interviews upon their return to the United States. The Enrollment on Arrival program eliminates the need for the Global Entry applicant to schedule an interview at an enrollment center to complete the application process.
Instead, if you’re a returning passenger, you can complete the Global Entry interview with a CBP officer during your admissibility inspection. These are the documents you must have in your possession:
• A valid passport. If you travel using more than one passport, please bring them all to the interview so that the information can be added to your file. This provides you with the ability to use multiple passports at the Global Entry kiosk.
• Documentsproviding evidence of residency, such as a driver’s license with a current address, a mortgage statement, rental payment statement, utility bill, etc.
• A permanentresident card if applicable.
According to CBP, the plans to reopen the enrollment centers were developed in consultation with health and safety experts and are designed to minimize the risk of exposing travelers and CBP personnel to COVID-19.
Because of the temporary restrictions on nonessential travel at US land borders, CBP says NEXUS and US-Canada FAST interviews at US and Canadian enrollment centers will remain suspended until further notice.
SENTRI and FAST-South enrollments on the southern border may also be limited. CBP reminds all travelers that crossing a US land border for the purpose of visiting a Trusted Traveler Programs enrollment center is considered nonessential travel.
