I'm not sure if - strictly speaking - this is the correct forum for this, so happy for the admins to move it if necessary.

Basically I'm in the process of applying for Global Entry, and have submitted my information to the UK Government in order to obtain the background check and the UK Access Code.

The website stated that this will take up to 10 days, however I'm curious as to what it is that they are actually going to DO?

I have a clean Police record and was able to obtain my visa without issue, however some of the questions that the background check asked were a bit unusual, focusing more on things like customs violations and immigration breaches.

Is the UK government basically just doing a glorified PNC check here, similar to a "disclosure" that you would do to work with vulnerable groups?

Like I said I don't have any reason to think that the background check will return anything other than a favorable result, but I'm just curious as to what they are actually going to be doing for my 42 quid!

Making sure you’re not on a watchlist.

Mine came through in less than 12 hours, so it must have been a quick background check.

However, it's been nearly two months sat in "pending conditional approval" - looks like I won't be able to benefit returning to the US after Christmas

I'm not sure why they specifically need to go out to the UK for that, or why that wouldn't have been checked as part of my original visa application process.

Either way I don't have any particular need for Global Entry, but as far as I'm aware it's the only way that I can currently get TSA Pre without being a Permanent Resident.

You may be disappointed - in my experience, even with Global Entry, TSA Pre is restricted to US citizens/permanent residents and Canadian citizens (with Nexus). IMBW though.

Because you’re a British citizen. They can check their own watchlists but they need to ask to check the UK’s.

Global Entry is a Trusted Traveller Programme and any Customs or Immigrations infractions would usually never show up on any Police check unless an arrest is involved.

I sure hope not - that (and the fact that my employer is paying for it) is pretty much the only reason I actually want it!

Yup, that right there is the problem.

I don't have my Green Card yet, so I'm not able to sign up directly for TSA Pre or any of the other programs.

It's a real pain, as I do a significant amount of domestic travel for work.

Yep the problem is that even though GE "includes" TSA Pre, the qualification criteria for TSA Pre still applies. So you get GE as a British citizen but you don't qualify for TSA Pre as you don't meet their qualification criteria.

Ahh well.

We're currently awaiting PERM, so if I sign up now will I be eligible to get a KTN once I complete AOS?

Just to add to the mixed messaging, I've had TSA Pre on my boarding pass before when travelling on the same booking as my USC partner (who has TSA Pre), so I wish they could make their mind up as to whether I'm a risk or not

No idea where you've heard that but it's wrong, if you are approved for Global Entry you'll be given a KTN and get TSA Pre.

The only thing that non LPR/US Citizens don't get is the Global Entry card for land borders.