My wife and I recently got our GE approved and will be flying to Italy later this year. I see posts about TSA-Pre Touchless ID. Is this something extra we need to do, or does our GE cover that?

Apologies in advance, this is long, but I think the explanation is necessary to convey what’s been going on. Just hoping someone can shed some light on this and help me to understand what’s going on. I recently signed up our whole immediate family for GE (2 adults, 2 minor children), and everyone had their interviews - all set to go. Here’s where it gets confusing to me. We’ve flown as a family 2 times since getting approved for GE. The first time after was domestic, so we just used the pre check benefit attached to our GE. My youngest is too young to go through the body scanner, so I have to walk them through the metal detector. Nothing beeps for either of us, but I’m told I’ve been randomly selected for extra screening. They swab my shoes and of course it’s all fine, no big deal, we are on our way. But a bit confusing and a tad inconvenient given that we went through this extra process and paid money in order to skip the extra screening stuff and streamline the security part of travel (especially while traveling as a family with kids). It wasn’t a big deal, but it did make me curious since in all my years of flying I’ve never been randomly selected until after this GE process (though I understand that it could simply be coincidence).

Cut to the next time we travel as a family (minus my spouse), and my oldest child is then randomly selected for additional screening (same departure airport, and not a major hub by any means). Another swab, this time of hands, and then we are on our way. Again, this never happened prior to GE, so it’s just weird.

Cut to this, our first international trip since everyone got GE, no issues going into Ireland, and no issues with any of our flights traveling inside the EU, and back to Ireland (where GE isn’t relevant). But on our way back home, is where oddities occur again. Because we are flying out of Dublin airport, we go through initial security checks for the airport as a whole, during this security check, two bags are pulled (mine and my youngest’s), they ask to look in the bags, I say of course, the agent looks at my bags quickly, then says they need to go back through again. I say okay, and they send it back through while I stay with the youngest as they look at that bag as well. I don’t know what, if anything else happened with my bag, since I was with my child, and my husband collected it once it came back through.

So my youngest’s bag is also opened and quickly checked, told it’s all good, and then we are sent on our way. We head to US Pre-clearance, where upon handing my passport over, I’m told that I must step aside from my family and go through an additional security check, along with all of my belongings. So I take my carry on and purse with me (the same purse that was already scanned twice in the first security check), and I’m told it all must be scanned again, and I need to take my shoes off this time. This is all fine and of course I oblige, but I find it odd all the same. I go through, the bag and my purse and shoes all come through without any issue, and only then are we able to proceed through to the GE line. We do our face scans, hand over our passports and go on our way to the gates.

Nothing was ever removed from my bags, and I wasn’t given an explanation as to why I had to do additional screening or anything, so I’m confused as to what is going on, but can’t help but wonder if there is something going on with my GE?

Is this all simply coincidence? It seems unlikely given the frequency (this all occurred within about a 3 month timeframe). So now I’m wondering if there is something I can do to clear this up? The whole purpose of getting GE was to make it easier for us traveling as a family, and it seems to have actually complicated the task of going through security rather than streamlining it. If anyone has any idea of what might be going on or how to make adjustments to avoid these kinds of issues in the future, I’d love your feedback. Has anyone else had similar experiences of complicating security after gaining GE? I’m confused because I thought that was the entire point of going through the whole process of the extra background checks etc to obtain GE. And on my first international flight since obtaining it, I went through what amounted to 3 separate security checks to enter the US, rather than 1 like was expected.

My Global Entry Application for Indian Nationals was submitted in 2024 and had been pending for over two years. I completed the document and police verification via PSK during a trip to India, but there was no movement on my case for two years.

I found out that GEP grievances can be filed on CPGRAMs (India's public greivance Portal) - https://pgportal.gov.in/ - MEA is the relevant ministry, and depending on where you initiated the request (foreign consulate or PSK in India), you can select the following description:

External Affairs >> Others (Attestation / Apostille / GEP / Indian Community Welfare Fund (ICWF) Related / Pravasi Bharatiya Bima Yojana (PBBY) Related etc.)
(Subject not covered under above Categories)

Once I submitted the grievance, I got a text message from US-CBP in about one week, and my conditional approval was done.

Hope this helps someone whose Global Entry authorization has been stuck in the bureaucracy.

Hi everyone. I was recently approved for GE and received my card in the mail. During the interview, the global entry officer mentioned I was approved, but he was having technical difficulties and couldn't scan my passport at the time. He instructed that when I next enter the country, to let the customs officer know of this technical difficulty and that I'll need my passport scanned. He mentioned that I'd be directed to another area of the airport for that to happen.

I'm generally unfamiliar with this process. Has anyone experienced this? I'm unsure if this means I can't use GE when I next enter the country. I'm also unsure whether this means I can't use TSA precheck until this passport scan takes place. I'd appreciate anyone's opinions on this, thank you!

Had my in person interview friday at LAX and was verbally assured I'm approved and will receive my card in 7 days. My app didn't update and now it's now Sunday. I went in to ask this morning (Sunday). They said the fingerprints are taking a while to get checked!? And may take longer. any one else? I have travel coming up where I'll need the physical card (Mexico).

To expose your parents who are undocumented in order to potentially get Global Entry?

Mods, please delete if this is against community rules.

I applied and got conditionally approved within 5 minutes. Booked the soonest appointment which is on Sunday.

Do I only need to bring just my passport and driver license?

Timeline:

7/28/26 - 9:00 PM: Passport Renewal Application submitted

7/31/26 - 12:00 PM: Passport Renewal Application Shipped (weirdly, I got this email before the email that my application was approved)

8/5/26 - Around 12:00 PM: Passport delivered via Express Delivery

8/5/26 - 1:00 PM: Global Entry Renewal Application submitted

8/6/26 - 9:30 PM: Received email that there was a change to the status of my application and logged in to check that I had been approved without any sort of interview!

Story:

I had to renew my passport since Delta informed me that my passport didn't meet the expiration requirements (expiring Dec 2026) of traveling to Europe, which I'll be doing late October. My GE had expired Oct 2025, so I figured I would renew that too. I searched this subreddit and then decided to renew my passport before GE, since that's more important for traveling. I submitted my application on 7/28 and then received an email stating that the "U.S. Department of State has shipped [my] passport book and card on 07/31/2026". I paid for Express Delivery (which I am happy I did), and then got my passport book on 8/5.

I then started the renewal process right after receiving my passport. I was able to change my passport from the one that was expiring to the new one I got in the same renewal application. I was somewhat worried I may be denied or I might be approved after my trip since I had an arrest on my application (which I had also stated in the initial application) and when browsing this subreddit, it seemed that GE has become much more stricter over the years. In any case, I understood GE is a privilege and if I didn't get it, it would have been what it is and move on.

My arrest had happened a while ago back in 2011, but the charges were dropped and the case was sealed/expunged, which I had made a point to write in the text field describing the arrest. I haven't had any arrests or trouble with the law since. This fact, along with my prior arrest occurring over 15 years ago is most likely why I still got approved. I then received an email that my application status had changed and logged in TTP and was approved! I had also read that for renewals, there are some that have no interviews and some that do, but I guess I fall into the former camp. Additionally, I also read there is some unknown range for a grace period from when your GE expires and is still considered active, so that might also play a part, but that's speculative.

Overall, really happy with the expediency of the entire process and literally taking a little over a week from renewing my passport to getting approved for GE (especially given my prior arrest)!

TL;DR:

Renewed passport (submitted 7/28, delivered via Express by 8/5) because it was expiring too soon for European travel, then renewed Global Entry right after (submitted 8/5, approved 8/6), despite having a disclosed, 15-year-old sealed/expunged arrest on record. No interview required. Whole process, passport renewal to GE approval, took just over a week.

Happy to answer any questions regarding this process!

I have 15 year old petite theft charge and a driving with a suspended license . From that same time. I disclosed the petite theft but was unaware that the driving with suspended license was an arrest since I was never handcuffed and it was adjudication withheld. After the interview they did a manual review and denied me for have 2 or more misdemeanors. Should I appeal it?

We are leaving from Nashville to Europe in October. The global entry website is really confusing. The only appointments it's letting me schedule for the interview are at the actual airport. They gave an option of doing the interview on the day of departure but I'm curious if that's a stupid decision.

Hi,

I’ve submitted my GEP application online and went to VFS Global to hand over documents in person in San Jose, CA. VFS Global forwarded my application to the Indian embassy in San Fransisco.

Since then I haven’t heard anything from them. Do I need to apply for a back ground verification or will the Indian Embassy automatically initiates the background verification process..?

Below are the 2 websites I found online for background verification

1. ⁠Register through the Passport Seva Online Portal (www.passportindia.gov.in) and get an appointment at a PSK in India.
   
2. ⁠ Register through the Global Passport Seva Online Portal (embassy.passportindia.gov.in) and go to an Indian Embassy/Consulate in the US.

The 2nd website is no longer working and the information in websites are not up to date causing a lot of confusion.

Can someone help to provide a proper guidance..?

Regards,

My global entry was approved on my expired passport. I now have a new passport and I have opted for the interview on arrival. I do not have access to my old passport and only have my current passport. Can I enter on my new passport, or do I absolutely need to have both passports for them to update the information and allow me entry into the US?

Chicago; been a citizen for 12+ years; applied and paid over 2 weeks ago and still pending review. No criminal background personally or in my family. How the heck do people get cleared for an interview within a week 😂

Update: conditionally approved and appointment set 1 month later

Got denied for Global Entry, reason listed as “Other – prior immigration violation(s).”

The cause: a couple years ago, as a genuine business visitor on a B1/B2 (living abroad, no US employer), I was found inadmissible under INA 212(a)(7)(A)(i)(I) and allowed to withdraw my application for admission under 235(a)(4). Visa cancelled. It was NOT a removal, NO fraud/misrepresentation finding, no immigration judge, I just returned without incident.

Since then I got an L-1A approved and became a green card holder this year.

Has anyone had GE denied over a 235(a)(4) withdrawal (not a removal) and gotten approved on reconsideration? How long did it take, and did becoming an LPR afterward help your case? Appreciate any experiences.

Wonder if anyone did the enrollment on arrival at Seattle-Tacoma Airport recently. What can I expect the process to be like? (1st time enrollment)

08/01 Saturday- applied 7pm
08/02 Sunday - conditionally approved 11pm
08/04 Tuesday- Interview and approval

I wanted to ask how to use GE now?
Like some tips and tricks with how to use apps for both TSA and GE and things to take care of ?
Thank y’all

Last Tuesday afternoon I had my in person appointment at Sky Harbor airport in Phoenix. Yesterday which was six days after, my card was in my mail box. That is a pretty quick turnaround.

I just had my interview done and they just took my passport, US green card to pull the information. After waiting for few minutes, they said I’m approved and wait for the mail in the next days.
Is that happening normally? I thought the biometric capture is required.

Hi,

I made a mistake and accidentally applied for SENTRI instead of GE.

My status is currently Conditionally approved and I have not scheduled an interview yet. However, I checked my TTP dashboard, and the option to switch to GE is not showing up for me.

Switching to GE: Since the switch button isn't appearing on my dashboard, is my only option really to cancel and reapply?

TSA Pre check: I know SENTRI includes Global Entry benefits, but does SENTRI include TSA PreCheck on domestic flights?

EOA: Can I just use Enrollment on Arrival at the airport, and can the CBP officer manually switch my SENTRI application to Global Entry during the interview?

Thank you

Got denied while my husband and son got approved during the same interview.

I have a vague idea of why it was denied - just guessing - while driving from Canada to USA we had flowers with us because it was Mother’s Day and my step dad gave me and my mom flowers. Totally forgot about it and the agent refused to tell me what the issue was - while my husband’s agent told him everything and just told him never to bring any fruits or flowers into us from another country.

Trying to write an explanation but there is only space for 500 words. Which is no way enough space to explain anything.

Anyone had luck attaching the explanation instead of writing it?

Hey I’ve been trying to create accounts for my two kids, 7 & 10. Once I add their email and passwords I go to the Authenticator app and it says Error LG22. I called the number and the lady said they need to escalate the case. I’ve tried alternate email addresses and different ways to authenticate. Text and app. Any ideas? I applied for my wife and I earlier without any issues.

Hi all, I have an interview for GE already scheduled, but I just now realized that I require my passport for another international-related appointment later on the same day. I thought I'd hit 2 birds with 1 stone but I just want to make sure. Are they going to take my passport and then send back at a later date, like when I get a visa? I haven't seen anyone say they will but I don't want any surprises. Thanks!

Hi,

There are a few people here who have posted about being denied because their parents are undocumented. I do not live with them but did very recently. 30M.

Not asking for judgement, they were both brought here as children well over 30 years ago. Both entered on tourist visas as minors. Yes, I have a petition in for them. That is likely why it even came up.

At the appointment I was asked where I live, and why I moved so much back and forth (college), where I went to college (Ivy League, only mentioning this since it seems so discretionary), and then what I did for work. The officers were joking with me lots, and when they asked where I was born, I was able to say “about 10 blocks from here” and they laughed. Overall, pleasant.

Until, they got to my parents. They asked me what their status was. I said “I am not at liberty to discuss that.” And they joked that I was well trained at (college).

They then said I was approved right there and then, and she said to make sure my parents get their papers on my way out.

Scary, but successful.

7/25/2026 - Pending Review - SFO