The Department of Homeland Security is urging travelers who mostly fly domestic to use TSA PreCheck instead of Global Entry due to the delay in application processing.
“If you do not travel multiple times per year internationally, we recommend applying for the TSA PreCheck Program,” the agency said on its website. “Most TSA PreCheck applicants can schedule an appointment in less than two weeks and, if approved, can receive a Known Traveler Number (KTN) about 3 to 5 days after the appointment.”
Federal officials are struggling to keep up with the Global Entry applications. The program is offered to pre-screened international travelers so that they can skip the customs line.
During the pandemic, there was a five-month closure, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection confirmed.
The Global Entry program has nearly 8 million memberships and is available at 61 U.S. airports and 15 international preclearance locations.
According to DHS, “application processing delays” for Global Entry and other expedited programs such as SENTRI, NEXUS, and FAST are taking up to 6 to 18 months to process.
The agency noted that some Global Entry applications are reviewed quickly, but it still encourages “applicants to check interview appointment availability at a preferred Enrollment Center before applying.”
Another option offered to applicants who have been conditionally approved is the agency’s Enrollment on Arrival program, which allows arriving international passengers to complete their interview upon arrival at a participating airport.
The Global Entry program has become increasingly popular since its launch. As of March, more than 10 million people had enrolled in one of CBP’s Trusted Traveler Programs. According to Travel+Leisure, TSA PreCheck, included with Global Entry, is an expedited airport security process with separate security lines and doesn’t require passengers to remove things like their shoes and laptops.
“Global Entry offers many benefits, and it’s certainly something international travelers eligible for the program should consider,” Michael Millich, the director of CBP Trusted Traveler Programs, said in a statement. “We have had a large demand for TTP enrollment, especially over the past several months, and we’ve identified different solutions to try to address this.”
