Why Global Entry?
Before I get into my (slightly embarrassing) story of applying for Global Entry, I need to set the scene… After years of immigration kerfuffles, holding different visas, and the paralyzing anxiety of re-entering the US knowing I would be grilled by border patrol officers every time (which I always have been), I was finally eligible for Global Entry!
Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) program that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. It also includes TSA Pre-Check, a program that expedites traveler screening through participating TSA security checkpoints. Did I need this in my life? You bet.
Applying – The Big Mistake
I like to think I’m careful when I browse the internet. For anything immigration-related, I’ve always triple and quadruple-checked for fear that one small mistake written on a form would cause my deportation. I’ve visited the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website numerous times over the years and am very familiar with its classic color scheme and layout.
So, WHY oh WHY did I simply Google “Global Entry application” and click on the first (paid-for) result when it came time for me to apply for Global Entry?
What happened next is where I am not totally sure that I was “scammed” (although it certainly felt like hoodwinking). I ended up on a site with an almost identical layout and color scheme to the Official site. It used the same language and terms that had become familiar to me and the application process seemed accurately extensive (Hello government forms!), with prompts to upload my identification, previous addresses and immigration documentation – everything I would expect for a Global Entry application. Except it wasn’t a Global Entry application.
Sigh. $149 (and a prompt that said I would still have to pay $100 for the actual Global Entry application) later, I was properly in a panic wondering what the heck I’d just paid for, not to mention, who I’d just given my data to.
Getting My Money Back
It turns out that this company has a team of people, or so they say, who prepare Global Entry applications and check to ensure that the information submitted is accurate and will not get rejected by the United States CBP. Who actually needs this service? My guess is… No-one. Global Entry is a trusted traveler program for low-risk travelers – it’s pretty unlikely you would need assistance with the application given that those applying are safe and uncomplicated. However, if you do need help from a company like this, please research first.
Note: While I don’t want to say the company’s name here, they’re easy to find. Despite reporting their sponsored listing to Google, they still remain the first listing when you search ‘Global Entry Application’. This post ONLY contains links to the Official US Customs and Border Protection site!
While several Reddit threads confirmed that I was not alone in my mistake, I felt so stupid. I emailed the company within five minutes of submitting my ‘application’ requesting a refund, citing their refund policy. I received an email back swiftly from ‘Global Entry’ saying that they would be willing to offer me a refund of 25% of the $149 due to “the work that had started on my application prep already by their team”. After back-and-forth emails for almost a week, and me pointing out that there was no way work had started on my application preparation in under 5 minutes by a human, they increased their refund offer to a generous 50%. Don’t worry, I pushed and pushed, and finally got the whole thing refunded. What happened to my info? I will probably never know for sure.
The Real Global Entry Application
It’s a flat $100 for starters. It took me a couple of days to finish simply because I couldn’t remember a couple of my previous US addresses (I’ve moved around a lot) and had to upload my immigration documents. But it’s straightforward, and the best part is, that I got the $100 application fee covered with my Capital One Venture rewards card!
The true site for Global Entry will always show cbp.gov in the URL. At the time of writing, there is a gray header bar across the top of the page (on Desktop) with the words “An official website of the United States government”. On mobile, it’s blue. It’s small, but it’s there. There is a drop-down you can click on which tells you “how you know” it’s a US gov site. This is how it looks:
Use this site to determine whether or not Global Entry is right for you and worth it. If you can get the fee covered by your credit card, it’s definitely worth it, even if you are a US Citizen and plan to re-enter the US once in the next 5 years.
Overall, it was a swift process. I applied in March and by a stroke of luck, was conditionally approved on May 19th, the day before I was due to fly back to Los Angeles from the UK. This was incredible timing, as it meant that I could interview on arrival to the US. You can only do this at select US airports. The interview stations are placed beyond baggage claim, meaning you still have to go through the usual Customs process to get to it, which on that day, was 3 hours long. It was at that point I knew Global Entry, if I was approved, would save my sanity from here on out.
There were 4 people ahead of me waiting to be interviewed. I waited about 15 minutes. The interview was easy-going and took roughly 5-10 minutes. The officer commented on how we were “neighbors” as he lived in the same city, asked me some questions about why I originally came to the States and took the worst picture of me known to humanity (it wasn’t his fault, I looked rough after traveling for almost 20 hours). He approved me on the spot and I was a very happy bunny! I got my card (which is only needed if driving into the US from Mexico or Canada, not if you fly) a week later.
One of the best things about Global Entry is that you do not have to be a US person (citizen or permanent resident). Citizens of the following countries can apply for US Global Entry: Argentina, Brazil, Bahrain, Dominican Republic, India, Colombia, United Kingdom, Germany, The Netherlands, Panama, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Taiwan and Mexican nationals. There may be other fees associated with your country’s government when applying, so double-check the Official US CBP site for more information about eligibility if you are not a US person.
Note: There may be additional requirements you must meet depending on your country of citizenship. To find out if additional requirements must be met, select an International Arrangement and your country of citizenship.
Conclusion
Global Entry can be a game-changer for frequent travelers, saving time and reducing the stress of re-entering the United States. However, as my experience shows, it’s crucial to be vigilant when applying. Always use the official U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) site to avoid scams and unnecessary fees. Despite the mishap, I ultimately navigated the real application process smoothly and reaped the benefits of expedited travel clearance.
Remember, while the internet can make processes easier, it also opens up opportunities for deceit. Always double-check URLs and avoid sponsored links for official applications. If you’re eligible, I highly recommend Global Entry. The peace of mind and convenience it offers are well worth the effort.
By sharing my story, I hope to help others avoid the same pitfalls and confidently take advantage of the true benefits of Global Entry. Safe travels, and may your journeys be smooth and scam-free!
