Global Entry - Interview Process?

[N52939]

Applied July 4th for my GE renewal (you can start renewal 1 year prior to expiration). Still in pending review.

[act1980]

Also, does anyone else think it's ridiculous that you still need a valid ESTA with GE? I can't see the sense of it when surely GE supersedes an ESTA as the checks are obviously far more comprehensive. I guess it's just more money for the US

[Mr Tom Morrow]

Originally Posted by act1980

Also, does anyone else think it's ridiculous that you still need a valid ESTA with GE? I can't see the sense of it when surely GE supersedes an ESTA as the checks are obviously far more comprehensive. I guess it's just more money for the US

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My heart says yes but my head says no. GE links your unique number to your photo and/or Passport. That's what gives you the slip of paper to use the GE line.

UK airlines cannot access that database only the one with ESTA's hence they wont allow travel without one.

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by act1980

Also, does anyone else think it's ridiculous that you still need a valid ESTA with GE? I can't see the sense of it when surely GE supersedes an ESTA as the checks are obviously far more comprehensive. I guess it's just more money for the US

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Hi act - how it makes sense to me, ESTA is permission to travel, GE is permission to enter after GE kiosk approval.

We were B2 visa profiled, someone asked why I thought it didn't include GE, my humble opinion, whilst B2 allows us to remain up to 180 days we remain subject to US immigration entry requirements, and can be denied.

[act1980]

Thanks for the clarification on the ESTA's guys

[walden64]

Well after 23 weeks we can now schedule our interview.
The programmes must be very popular now as I can’t see that the Government shut down caused this length of backlog alone.

[act1980]

Well we finally got approval a couple of weeks ago. Took 6 months in the end. Flying into MCO next month, what can I expect to happen? Do we queue in the normal line or ask upon arrival and get taken somewhere to do the interview?

Thanks!

[Gryff]

Try to,book a back up appointment as it's not always possible to,have it done on arrival a pain I know
Then you just have to ask the first greeter you come to,if it's possible
To have the interview there and then if so you will be taken to the area
Takes about 10mins in total

[Lotso2015]

I did mine in October on arrival (I had a back up just incase). I asked when I arrived and I had to go through normal immigration as they said they would try and find someone. First time ever I didn’t have to answer any questions they just stamped my passport and sent me to speak to another officer who was standing near baggage reclaim. He then told me to get my bags and come back to him. Then once with bags we went back to the immigration kiosks and he closed a whole line for me and I had my interview then. Must say nicest immigration officer ever. My status had also changed to approved before I had left airport.