Global Entry UK Background Check
#16
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 143
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
A word of caution regarding Global Entry. I am a LPR since Dec 2018. I applied for GE on 24 June 2019 - still pending review. There is no way to talk to CBP about the application; portal is useless, phone permanently engaged.
Knowing this now I would have simply done TSA pre-check and taken the hit on waiting in line at immigration.
Very frustrated with the glacial pace of the application
Knowing this now I would have simply done TSA pre-check and taken the hit on waiting in line at immigration.
Very frustrated with the glacial pace of the application
#17
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
A word of caution regarding Global Entry. I am a LPR since Dec 2018. I applied for GE on 24 June 2019 - still pending review. There is no way to talk to CBP about the application; portal is useless, phone permanently engaged.
Knowing this now I would have simply done TSA pre-check and taken the hit on waiting in line at immigration.
Very frustrated with the glacial pace of the application
Knowing this now I would have simply done TSA pre-check and taken the hit on waiting in line at immigration.
Very frustrated with the glacial pace of the application
- when ESTA was new and they had coded the input to only allow passports with a max validity of 10 years, i emailed on a Saturday, 6 days later they emailed to say the system had been updated and it worked.
- when my AOS to LPR happened I was out of the country, so I had no GC to show at checking or CBP. I emailed the London embassy the day before travel and got a email response from USCIS in 32 minutes. At first they were going to issue a one time transportation letter, then CBP got looped in and said to use my AP, or visa. I ended up using the visa and the CBP at EWR did not care. I came back 3 or 4 days later after picking up the GC and going on a trip and it was no issue.
I managed to sign up to GE from an internet cafe in Thailand with a picture of my GC. They have to do checking, in general my experience is things move when they move, unless your get Congress involved nothing changes the speed of any of these things, so if you get through on the phone your will likely just get a stock answer, like it’s in process.
do your have travel history to less Western counties?
#18
BE Enthusiast
Thread Starter
Joined: Mar 2017
Location: Austin, TX
Posts: 455
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
I'm not sure if you mean me or not but yes, I have a history of travel to places in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.
My travel history didn't seem to cause me any issue when I applied for my visa, but once I moved here it made for some fantastic first date conversations when I was single!
My travel history didn't seem to cause me any issue when I applied for my visa, but once I moved here it made for some fantastic first date conversations when I was single!
#19
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
I'm not sure if you mean me or not but yes, I have a history of travel to places in the Middle East and the Horn of Africa.
My travel history didn't seem to cause me any issue when I applied for my visa, but once I moved here it made for some fantastic first date conversations when I was single!
My travel history didn't seem to cause me any issue when I applied for my visa, but once I moved here it made for some fantastic first date conversations when I was single!
Last edited by tht; Dec 6th 2019 at 7:25 pm.
#20
Forum Regular
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 143
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
not really, one vacation to Turkey from the UK in 2015, apart from that it's all been UK, USA, France.
I travel a lot both international (US-Europe)a domestic, so the delay is just irritating.
It's getting to the point of raising a claim with my credit card company for a service paid for but not delivered and let VISA deal with the Government. If I've not got approval after 6 months, then that's the plan and just go get Pre-check ( typical time 1-2 weeks)
I travel a lot both international (US-Europe)a domestic, so the delay is just irritating.
It's getting to the point of raising a claim with my credit card company for a service paid for but not delivered and let VISA deal with the Government. If I've not got approval after 6 months, then that's the plan and just go get Pre-check ( typical time 1-2 weeks)
#21
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,156
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
It's getting to the point of raising a claim with my credit card company for a service paid for but not delivered and let VISA deal with the Government. If I've not got approval after 6 months, then that's the plan and just go get Pre-check ( typical time 1-2 weeks)
Has anyone set up trackers on trackitt? That might give you some idea of the current wait times.
#22
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
not really, one vacation to Turkey from the UK in 2015, apart from that it's all been UK, USA, France.
I travel a lot both international (US-Europe)a domestic, so the delay is just irritating.
It's getting to the point of raising a claim with my credit card company for a service paid for but not delivered and let VISA deal with the Government. If I've not got approval after 6 months, then that's the plan and just go get Pre-check ( typical time 1-2 weeks)
I travel a lot both international (US-Europe)a domestic, so the delay is just irritating.
It's getting to the point of raising a claim with my credit card company for a service paid for but not delivered and let VISA deal with the Government. If I've not got approval after 6 months, then that's the plan and just go get Pre-check ( typical time 1-2 weeks)
Did you actually pay for it? 3 or 4 of my cards include it and so did my main airline United, they even provide Clear as well now.
I doubt DHS/CBP/USCIS will give any credit card company the time of day unless it’s via congress, the airlines may have a better shot there, but since it’s security related I doubt even they can do anything.
#23
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,156
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
To my knowledge, you can't actually make an appointment for this; you just show up with your new passport and existing GE card. Someone just needs to scan the PP into the system, so there is no kind of interview that needs to be scheduled. I did this at JFK very easily, but not sure the same works at Bowling Green. Did livinginnyc post about this recently?
#24
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
To my knowledge, you can't actually make an appointment for this; you just show up with your new passport and existing GE card. Someone just needs to scan the PP into the system, so there is no kind of interview that needs to be scheduled. I did this at JFK very easily, but not sure the same works at Bowling Green. Did livinginnyc post about this recently?
#25
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 1,156
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
At JFK, I handed my materials to the security person at the door. She disappeared for a few minutes and came back saying "all done". I didn't have to enter the premises at all, so there was really nothing to make an appointment for. Admittedly, it might be different at Bowling Green, but I strongly suspect you just need to show up.
#26
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
My claim is that you don't need an appointment at all. Have you seen it advertised otherwise?
At JFK, I handed my materials to the security person at the door. She disappeared for a few minutes and came back saying "all done". I didn't have to enter the premises at all, so there was really nothing to make an appointment for. Admittedly, it might be different at Bowling Green, but I strongly suspect you just need to show up.
At JFK, I handed my materials to the security person at the door. She disappeared for a few minutes and came back saying "all done". I didn't have to enter the premises at all, so there was really nothing to make an appointment for. Admittedly, it might be different at Bowling Green, but I strongly suspect you just need to show up.
#27
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
To my knowledge, you can't actually make an appointment for this; you just show up with your new passport and existing GE card. Someone just needs to scan the PP into the system, so there is no kind of interview that needs to be scheduled. I did this at JFK very easily, but not sure the same works at Bowling Green. Did livinginnyc post about this recently?
Bowling green is by appointment only vs JFK/Newark where no appointment is necessary. I believe Bowling green is an actual office vs field offices so federal security is involved.etc
As retzie mentioned above - GE has significantly slowed down due to the government shutdown a while back - they are massively backlogged (it says it all over their site).
For EWR, Subway to Penn, then NJ Transit to Newark Airport, and the airtrain is included in your NJ ticket. that would be about $35 each way.
I have to fly to LA once a month for work, so travel a lot - so those prices I'd say are pretty accurate from the island.
#28
DE-UK-NZ-IE-US... the TYP
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 2,848
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
I did! and like you I just went to an airport (I went to Newark as I figured it would be quieter), and was in/out within 10 minutes.
Bowling green is by appointment only vs JFK/Newark where no appointment is necessary. I believe Bowling green is an actual office vs field offices so federal security is involved.etc
As retzie mentioned above - GE has significantly slowed down due to the government shutdown a while back - they are massively backlogged (it says it all over their site).
If you're in Manhattan (apologies I don't know your location, but you mentioned getting to bowling green) - no way either JFK or EWR are $150 each way. You can ride the E train all the way to Jamaica for JFK and ride the air train which would be closer to $10 each way (it just sucks as thats a long trip), or an off-peak LIRR which would be closer to $30 each way.
For EWR, Subway to Penn, then NJ Transit to Newark Airport, and the airtrain is included in your NJ ticket. that would be about $35 each way.
I have to fly to LA once a month for work, so travel a lot - so those prices I'd say are pretty accurate from the island.
Bowling green is by appointment only vs JFK/Newark where no appointment is necessary. I believe Bowling green is an actual office vs field offices so federal security is involved.etc
As retzie mentioned above - GE has significantly slowed down due to the government shutdown a while back - they are massively backlogged (it says it all over their site).
If you're in Manhattan (apologies I don't know your location, but you mentioned getting to bowling green) - no way either JFK or EWR are $150 each way. You can ride the E train all the way to Jamaica for JFK and ride the air train which would be closer to $10 each way (it just sucks as thats a long trip), or an off-peak LIRR which would be closer to $30 each way.
For EWR, Subway to Penn, then NJ Transit to Newark Airport, and the airtrain is included in your NJ ticket. that would be about $35 each way.
I have to fly to LA once a month for work, so travel a lot - so those prices I'd say are pretty accurate from the island.
#29
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 10
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
TSA Pre works just great as a UK citizen with GE. Additionally, if you have others on your booking who dont have TSA Pre, they get to come with you (their boarding pass gets the mark). Saves so much time and aggravation at US airport security!
#30
Just Joined
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 10
Re: Global Entry UK Background Check
Just to clarify, UK citizens with GE do get TSA Pre. It's all good!