Global Entry Introduces Faster Enrollment Process for Travelers

Global Entry enrollment just got easier, thanks to a new program debuted by Customs and Border Protection (CBP) called ‘Enrollment on Departure.’ The program was rolled out in Washington-Dulles International Airport (IAD) in February.

It allows applicants conditionally approved for Global Entry to complete the interview process before boarding international flights.

Photo: Courtesy of CBP.gov

“Customs and Border Protection is excited to partner with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority to be the first airport in the nation to offer Global Entry Enrollment on Departure interviews,” said Marc E. Calixte, Area Port Director for CBP’s Area Port of Washington, D.C.

“Conditionally approved applicants to CBP’s trusted traveler programs can now complete their interviews before boarding a flight leaving the United States. This is great news for those trying to schedule interviews to complete their membership into this critically acclaimed trusted traveler program.”

In the past, the only available options for applicants looking to complete the process were to schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center or to finish enrollment through Enrollment on Arrival at a participating airport upon return from international travel.

Photo: Courtesy of Washington Dulles

For reference, Enrollment on Arrival works the same way as the newly added departure option. The only difference is that passengers complete the interview at eligible U.S. airports after returning from an international flight.

To utilize the new Enrollment on Departure, travelers must head inside the B concourse to gate 41. The office will have Customs and Border Protection staffers from 12 p.m. through 8 p.m. each day.

While there are no set appointments, conditionally approved applicants should arrive earlier to allow ample time to complete the interview process before their international flight departure.

What to bring?

Those looking to complete enrollment must bring a travel document, such as a passport, along with a physical document that provides evidence of their residence. A driver’s license, mortgage statement, utility bill, or other documents showing a current address will suffice. All applicants must also have a same-day airline ticket that proves their upcoming international flight.

Currently, this service will only be available at IAD. It’s only eligible for passengers traveling internationally and is not available for travelers departing on domestic flights. There are no plans to expand the program since officials want to observe how it operates before introducing it at other U.S. international gateways.

Photo: Courtesy of CBP.gov

Last year, over 14.8 million approved travelers used the Global Entry portals to enter the United States. It allows travelers expedited processing through Customs and Immigration when returning to the U.S. from an international flight. Membership costs $100 for five years, which is reasonable given that it can save ample time bypassing long immigration lines.

A record 3.8 million applications were processed into the program last year, so the hope is that ‘Enrollment on Departure’ will help expedite the process for pre-approved, low-risk travelers who have received expedited clearance.

Global Entry has over 12.7 million members. It is operational at 77 U.S. airports and is available at 14 international airports, including Canada, Ireland, The Bahamas, and The United Arab Emirates.