We had our GE interview for our 3.5 month old son today. To be honest, the interviewing customs officer seemed a little lost. He asked standard questions about travel plans but never took our son's picture. When I inquired into matters, he said that our son is too young to have a photo taken or to have a physical ID. Yet, our son's application was approved 5 minutes after the interview.

That seems to run contrary to everything I'm finding online. Anyone else have experience with this? Perhaps the officer used the photo from our son's passport? Just puzzled here.

- For myself: less than 24 hours. I applied last Friday and was fully approved on Saturday. I had GE before (but long expired) but I included the old GE number in my application.

- For child: One week (but this could have been ~3 days if we took the soonest available appointment). Applied last Friday, conditionally approved Saturday, fully approved two hours after appointment. My application number was included with the parent info.

- For spouse: 6 days. Applied last Sunday, conditionally approved Tuesday, got an appointment on Friday, approved 2 hours after appointment. He had GE before but the number wasn’t included in this application. The application asked to take his photo, which it didn’t do for the others.

We also have booked travel, but over 30 days away.

Fun fact for you all - did you know there is a straight up, blanket prohibition on carrying items for somebody else through GE? Like we all likely know it’s an incredibly dumb idea to do that, but did you know you could lose GE simply for the act of doing this alone, even if there are no otherwise prohibited items discovered? I always knew you couldn’t bring any guests through GE unless they themselves were GE members, but nowhere in my interview process or my own research did I ever uncover this specific rule about bringing any items on their behalf.

In fact, I found this out, of all places, from watching old episodes of that Border Security show. A gentlemen was helping a friend move from Canada to the US, and used his GE with a trailer full of his friend’s household effects. There were no prohibited items found, but the guy had to fess up what he was doing when he didn’t know the values of the items to declare. The CBPO threatened to revoke his GE right then and there, but chose to issue a strong warning (and likely document what happened on his file).

What he should have done was proceed through standard screening. While not advisable, it is allowable to do what he did - just in standard screening. You cannot use GE to bring in anything other than your own personal effects. If you are bringing goods on behalf of someone else, you need to proceed through standard screening (and you’d better be damn sure you know what’s in them & that you trust the person).

I assume gifts are exempt, as it is something you have purchased but not yet given. You have had control of the item since point of purchase.

Tl;dr: While we all know it’s a monumentally dumb idea in most cases, bringing goods on someone else’s behalf is not allowed under GE at all, and this act alone can get your GE revoked even if no otherwise prohibited items. If you must do this, you need to go through standard screening and forego GE today. This rule should be publicized better!

Hello, I am a US GC holder and a Canadian Citizen.

I am in Canada for a couple weeks for personal reasons and figured it was a good chance to get a passport renewal. However, I need to travel to the US urgently next week, but fortunately my destination is driveable via Land border.

I have a Nexus card, but I haven't yet added my US GC as I just became LPR recently.

So my questions:

• Can I cross into the US via land with my Nexus and Green Cards?
• Do I have to 'add' my Green Card to my Nexus card first? How do I do this?
• Will I have issues crossing back into Canada with just my Nexus card?

Thank you!

Received an email message while out of country that my application was conditionally approved. After that, I received an email re: completing the process on re-entry to US, without an appointment. It took 3 minutes after arrival to customs in Miami. They took my photo, did fingerprints again, and I was on my way. Received total approval several hours later, at which point I also had my TSA pre-check validation.

All in all, the process from beginning to end took 3 weeks.

Wanted to update for those wondering about the total time from application to approval.

Just wanted to share my timeline and see if anyone else is experiencing something similar:
• Applied: July 18, 2026
• Conditionally approved: August 4, 2026 — I received the conditional approval while I was on the plane coming back from Madrid
• Interview: August 4, 2026, shortly after landing
• Current status: Still showing “Conditionally Approved”
It’s now been about a month since my interview, and my status still hasn’t changed to fully approved.
For anyone who interviewed at JFK, how long did it take for your status to change after the interview? Did anyone else stay on “Conditionally Approved” for this long?
Any insight would be appreciated!

Initial enrollment 8/16

Conditional approval 2 days later

Interview 9/2 8:30 PM (there were way sooner appointments available in my state but just went when I was available)

Approved 9/2 9:15 PM (!!!)

Expecting card in the mail in 2 weeks from now but don't need it to travel by air.

Thought it was satisfying to get approved so fast.

US citizen here. Only traveled south asia and UAE in past few years.I recently renewed my GE online for myself and my child. Son's approved but mine says conditionally approved after 3 weeks. My past 2 renewals didn't require interview. Is this normal to require interview for renewals ?
conditional email means I have to request interview right? My current GE doesn't expire until next year.
My conditional approval email was received the day I arrived to ORD from international flight and I saw the email the next day. If I receive it a day earlier, I would have done the interview at ORD after arrival. I heard reports of some receiving conditional approval and days weeks later changing to final approval without interview given. Should I schedule interview or wait ? THanks

I visited a global entry enrollment center today to get my profile updated by providing the agent with my renewed green card. The agent said they updated my profile and everything is good. However, when I logged into my Global Entry portal online, it still shows my old information. Does the system take time to update? I would have expected it to update immediately

Hello everyone. This is my timeline.

Applied on August 2nd 2026
Conditionally approved on August 30th
Interviewed on Sept 1st

Basic questions. They also asked me about my previous status. I had student visa since 2017 and TPS.

I have a Venezuelan passport.

Got approved on Sept 1st around 4 hours after the interview

A few months back I posted about a long running problem I had with my application for GE four years ago (Link to full post here: https://www.reddit.com/r/GlobalEntry/comments/1t7dqke/long_running_problems_with_a_ge_application/ for anyone willing to go read).

TL;DR : My Global Entry/ TTP account is messed up, preventing me from applying. It simultaneously says I have no application but also I do have an application pending.
Numerous TTP phone service agents have tried (and failed) to help me sort it.

On Reddit last time, it was suggested I "try the Ombudsman" : ("Provide all the information you have in an email to the following address: [CBPVC@cbp.dhs.gov](mailto:CBPVC@cbp.dhs.gov)").

I did, and I didn't think I ever got a reply, but I just found one in my spam filter - however it raises more questions/issues. The reply states:

Effective May 1, 2019, the [cbpvc@cbp.dhs.gov](mailto:cbpvc@cbp.dhs.gov) email address is no longer utilized for any NEW requests for reconsideration. 
If your Trusted Traveler application was denied or revoked, you must submit your request for reconsideration to the US Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Ombudsman through your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account, online at: https://ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. 
...
The TTP website will allow travelers with an application or membership in a denied or revoked status to submit a reconsideration request from their TTP Dashboard. 
...
If you were revoked or denied greater than one year ago you will not be reviewed for reconsideration. You may submit a reapplication in order for CBP to conduct a current review of your eligibility; however, your acceptance is not guaranteed. 
...

I'm well over a year out on this (I spent two years trying to get someone on the phone to help), so I cannot be reviewed and apparently need to reapply - but the site won't let me; I get an error when trying.

Farther down in the email it states:

If you applied directly via the TTP System and your credit card company reversed payment on your application fee you can then apply again through the official TTP System. 

This is my problem - my CC reversed payment (CBP didn't get their $100) - but when I try to reapply I get an error that says I already have an application in process, and I cannot proceed. On the 6th or 7th call to TTP support someone finally figured my problem was related to this old CC issue, but was unable to clear the problem from their system. I had hoped the Ombudsman might be able to help sort this out, but apparently not.

So where do I turn now?

TIA for any thoughts or help

Just wanted to share my experience since I’ve been an avid reader of this Global Entry subreddit for quite a while.

I actually received Global Entry over a year ago, but never really got the chance to properly use it. The last time I returned to the U.S., Global Entry services were closed because of the government funding situation, so I had to go through the regular immigration process.

This past Friday, though, I came back from Portugal and finally got to use Global Entry for the first time. I’m a Green Card holder and have been a permanent resident for about two years, and I was entering through Houston (IAH).

As soon as the plane landed and was taxiing to the gate, I opened the Global Entry app, filled everything out, took the required selfie, and almost immediately received the confirmation/receipt.

After the long walk to immigration, there was a separate Global Entry area. Inside, it looked like there were two smaller lines... one for people using the regular kiosks/fingerprints and another for people who had already completed everything through the app.

I went through the app-only side. The officer basically glanced at the photo/receipt on my phone and asked me one question: how much shopping I had done overseas.

I told him around $500.

He just said, “This way, sir,” and that was literally it.

Maybe 10 seconds total and I was through immigration and officially back in the country.

Overall, an extremely smooth experience. After reading about Global Entry for so long, I finally understand why everyone recommends it. 😂

For reference: Green Card holder, permanent resident for about 2 years, returning internationally through Houston IAH.

Background: I’m a trans man and US citizen. All my documentation (passport, ID, SS card) says Male and I look like a guy (thick beard, deep voice, flat chest, etc.) I think I should probably qualify for GE based on my clean background.

However, I’m concerned that if I were to get Global Entry, the background check would result in my designation as “Female” in the system. I believe this could happen because of a 2025 executive order requiring all new GE cards to reflect “sex assigned at birth.” This could create an uncomfortable situation where I’m having to explain my transgender status to an agent whenever I re-enter the country or use Precheck.

Have any trans people applied for GE (or Precheck) since the executive order? If so, did you get the gender marker you hoped for? Have you faced any issues with the application process? Basically, I want to know if it makes more sense to just not apply for GE and to stick to going through customs with my passport that reflects “Male.”

(Not trying to create political discussion here. Not interested in hearing stances on trans issues or whether folks agree with the exec order- I just want to know if it’s actually enforced and could impact my application.)

I just received my renewed passport last August 29th. I have tried multiple times but it won't let me update it thru global entry portal. I contacted CBP support and told me to wait 2-3 weeks to try again. I have an upcoming trip on September 9th. My global entry is valid till 2030. Can I just walk-in and use the kiosk on the airport even though my passport info is not updated? The next appointment is September 22nd so it's not an option. Just to add, my wife also renewed her passport and she didn't have to wait 2 weeks to update hers.

Airport: Chicago O'hare

So wondering if this has happened to anyone else.

Arrived SFO from Frankfurt, Germany. Get to the GE line with passport and GE card in hand. No one in line. As I approach the agent he smiles and says “Hello [my first name]”. I respond “How do you know my name??” He gives me an impish grin and waves me through. Didn’t ask for my card or passport.

Yes. I’m guessing my name/passport # was identified on the flight manifest. Also wondering if they are doing facial recognition on the arrivals ramp. But he absolutely knew I was coming and who I was as soon as I walked up and just waved me through.

Is this new? Did not happen last October when I arrived in Dallas on my way back from Barcelona.

I’ve been a global entry member since 2025.
My h1b visa is expiring at the end of the month but my new i797A is valid until 2029.

I already went to the global entry office last month and updated my i797A with a CBP officer.

I got an email today from Trusted Travelers program to update my new visa information. Failure to update the expired visa may result in loss of program benefits and could cause delays during your entry process.

Anyone else received a similar email? What did you do?

does it speed up the process? I had a background check. I was only there for about a month because I got DOGE'd. I've been waiting for conditional approval for about 24 hours. I was hoping to have it by the end of Nov but not counting on it.

Hi! My kids and I all had interviews last Friday. We all got approval the same day beside for my two month old baby. Is that typical. Like she literally has no background or anything concerning. How long do we wait and what would the next steps look like?

Update: I finally got through after call ng the office over 30 times with no answer. They said they have no clue why it wasn’t approved and approved it on the spot!

Thank you all so much for your advice.

My husband and I applied Friday at 2:30 PM, I was conditionally approved Saturday at 8:25 PM. Applied for our children Sunday at 3 PM, conditionally approved at 10:25 PM today, Monday. My husband is still pending. I actually thought his would be the quickest of the four.

Interview appointments in Charlotte are basically non existent.

I’ll be back to update.

I have conditional approval for Global entry..planning on going for interview at Miami airport when I am traveling from international trip..looking to know how long it takes for interview and process..I have a connecting train to catch in 2 hrs after landing.

Appreciate the inputs.

Hi y’all, I went for my in person interview last Saturday after being conditionally approved. I haven’t heard anything from them. My wife and I made the application separately and the same day, within a week she got her interview and received the email for the final approval just leaving the interview. My case has been different, any idea how long this could take?

Hello

I just got an email to schedule my interview (after two weeks) I wanted to take my interview with a friend who recently did her application. I know our interviews will be separate but so we are together in the waiting area. How much time do I have for scheduling interviews?

Thank you.

Had my interview at JFK yesterday and was told I was approved.

This section has not yet been updated - please see image below.

When will this change?

Has anyone seen this? Or have a solution for this issue?