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-   -   Global Entry approval is lightning fast these days (https://www.fodors.com/community/united-states/global-entry-approval-is-lightning-fast-these-days-1722056/)

starrs May 28th, 2024 09:36 AM


Originally Posted by starrs (Post 17564260)
In case this info is helpful to anyone -

I applied online in mid-March and received conditional approval. There was no option for a scheduled interview and instructions were to have the interview the next time I entered the country.

Today my flight from London arrived at 4:55 pm. There were no long lines and absolutely no one ahead of me in the MPC (Mobile Passport Control) line. I walked one station/ desk over and was the 4th person in line for the "interview". The interview consisted of handing the agent my passport, reading an instructional page (in a plastic holder), doing my fingerprints and taking a photo.

The agent said I would be updated with the results in 1 to 3 days.

I just checked my email. I was approved at 5:25 pm, which was probably immediately. Certainly before I exited the airport.

Thrilled it was so fast and easy. I've used MPC before with good results. Looking forward to Global Entry on future trips.

Update - my card arrived via USPS today.
I had my "interview" at the airport on May 20th. Received an email almost immediately that I had been approved.
Received the card on May 28th.
8 days. That's fast!

scrb11 May 28th, 2024 11:01 AM

That's a new application, not a renewal?

ekscrunchy Oct 1st, 2024 02:36 PM

Two updates:

1. I applied to renew my global Entry (applied two weeks after original had expired). My renewed GE card arrived the last week in August, just a few days before I left for Sicily.

2. Yes, the beagles are still patrolling at JFK and found one maracuya and one peach that had inadvertently forgotten to eat on the plane. The handler was very friendly and told me that this little dog could even sniff out meat commercially sealed in a can! The dog goes home with the handler every night and will retire to that home when the handler retires.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fod...d0b5cae44.jpeg
He will receive a nice treat after finding my fruit. As soon as he finds the forbidden item, he sits down beside the suitcase containing it so the handler can take everything out of the bag to inspect.

sassy27 Oct 1st, 2024 03:46 PM

Regarding the beagle, there is also one at Newark airport. I used to love seeing it and was happy he/she returned as it hasn't been around since before the pandemic. As the beagle came over to me last week, I spoke to it and it got so happy. The handler asked if I had anything like fruit or powder in my purse. I didn't, only swedish fish that I didn't finish eating and actually brought from home but didn't eat while away. She didn't want my purse as I offered it to her. I think the beagle got excited to due to my sweet talking to it.

ms_go Oct 1st, 2024 04:04 PM

I had the chance to sit in international baggage claim at O'Hare for about an hour in early January, as we cleared Global Entry almost immediately but then had to wait for daughter and partner, who do not have Global Entry. The passport control lines were huge, so bags were being lined up between carousels. I watched the handler and beagle walk among the bags - and it was exactly as you describe. When the beagle fixed on a bag, the handler would open it and look through it, then close it up and put it back. If she found something, the beagle got a treat. I expect the bag owners probably didn't even realize their bags had been searched until they got them home.

And thanks for the reminder. I need to check when our Global Entry memberships are up for renewal again.

ekscrunchy Oct 2nd, 2024 05:35 AM

Yes, do it soon..I forgot to mention that I applied in early December and the renewal came in late August.
I was not wearing my glasses and when I looked at the envelope it came in, I thought the return address read "1600 Pennyslvania Avenue, DC."
I assumed it was a request for a donation and put it in the trash!!!!

Thank goodness, I looked again before I threw it out....it comes from (I think) 1700 Pennsylvania Avenue and it is in a non-descript envelope.

TDudette Oct 2nd, 2024 05:36 PM

Cool, eks!

scrb11 Oct 3rd, 2024 12:18 PM

I applied back in April, as my GE was going to expire in October.

They charged the credit card right away but it didn't come through until August. I think the physical card came a couple of weeks later.

I can't recall now but I think my KTN changed so I had to change my United profile.

They say you can apply for renewal up to a year before.

ekscrunchy Oct 3rd, 2024 01:34 PM

Good to know...DO NOT WAIT until your card has expired....renew before that date.
I was amazed last week to see the very long lines for US citizens at immigration in JFK....I wonder if those people either knew nothing about Global Entry, or were denied?
We saved what I imagine must have been almost an hour of waiting on line, by having the GE card.
They took us through the line reserved for "diplomats."


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