How to Schedule a Remote Global Entry Virtual Interview
If you're applying for Global Entry, you might be wondering if it's necessary to schedule an in-person interview.
Unfortunately, if it's your first time applying for Global Entry, you'll have to conduct the interview in-person.
However, you may be eligible for a virtual interview if you're renewing your Global Entry membership benefits.
In this article, we will go through how to schedule a Global Entry interview conducted over Zoom.
How to know if you’re eligible for a remote interview
Remote interviews are currently only offered to Global Entry members who are renewing their membership.
According to the US CBP, the criteria for remote interview eligibility are:
- Be conditionally approved for a Trusted Traveler Program renewal
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a photo on file with the Customs and Border Protection agency that was taken within the last 10 years and taken when you were at least 14 years old
- Have previously submitted fingerprints to CBP
The simplest way to see if you are eligible is to log in to your account and see if the “Scheduling Your Remote Interview” button appears.
How do you choose to have a virtual interview?
If you are eligible for a virtual interview, your dashboard on the official Trusted Traveler Program website will display a button to schedule a remote interview.
If you don't see the option, you may not be eligible for a virtual interview and will need to schedule an in-person interview at a Global Entry enrollment center.
Requirements for the remote interview
The remote interviews are conducted using Zoom. Make sure you have a computer, phone, or tablet with a camera and microphone and capable of running Zoom.
Also, make sure you have somewhere private, quiet, and where the internet is stable enough for you to complete the Zoom call uninterrupted.
The following documents are required for the interview:
- A valid passport. If you have more than one, make sure you have them all available.
- Documents that provide proof of residency. For example: a driver's license, mortgage statement, rent statement, or utility bill that shows your current home address.
- Permanent Resident card. If you are a non-US citizen.
How does the remote interview work?
You can join the Zoom waiting room 15 minutes before your interview starts by logging into your account on the official Trusted Traveler Program website.
You can also do this via the CBP OneTM Mobile Application (available for free on the Apple App Store or Google Play Store).
The interview process is straightforward and interview times may be approximately 15-30 minutes.
Are remote interviews available for NEXUS or SENTRI?
At the time of writing, remote interviews are only offered for the Global Entry Program.
Candidates that are renewing SENTRI, FAST, or NEXUS programs will need to do their renewal interview in person.
Remote interviews are still considered a pilot program and the US CBP website states, “Renewing NEXUS, FAST and SENTRI members will be integrated into the pilot through a phased approach.”
Keep an eye on the official guide for updates.
Scheduling a remote interview
Once you are conditionally approved, you can log into to the Trusted Traveler Program website and see the upated status of your Global Entry application.
You can now schedule your interview. Click the “Scheduling Your Remote Interview” button on your dashboard. If you don't see this option, it’s because you’re not eligible for remote interviews and you’ll need to do an in-person interview to complete your application.
How can you get a remote interview faster?
Due to the extremely high demand for interview appointments, it might be difficult to book a remote interview even if you are eligible.
Remote interview time slots are released on a different schedule than the in-person interview schedule.
Appointments are typically only available a week or two into the future, and there aren't many cancellations.
Get alerted when appointment slots open up
As with scheduling the in-person interviews, the CBP website will usually say there are no appointments available because these interview slots are in such high demand.
To give yourself an advantage, use an alerting service like AppointmentScanner to get text alerts whenever an interview slot becomes available at your chosen Global Entry enrollment center.
Create an account and when setting up your alerts, select “Remote / Zoom” as the enrollment center, and a 'cutoff date' which is the latest date you want an interview.
After completing your notification settings, you’ll be alerted whenever a new appointment slot opens up.
