CBP Extends Global Entry by 18 Months for Pending Renewals
Global Entry renewals have been taking an extremely long time recently. Customs and Border Protection has said that if you’ve submitted your application and its status continues to say “pending,” your privileges will last a year beyond the original expiration date. But now that time-frame has been extended to 18 months. The information comes from an emails sent by Customs and Border Protection.
Here’s the text of the email that was published by Doctor of Credit:
Thank you for contacting the CBP Traveler Communications Center.
We are currently experiencing a backlog in processing times. Processing times vary by applicant, but on average you can expect your application to be processed as follows:
• GE & NEXUS: 7 months or longer
• SENTRI: 12 months or longerAgain, these are average times – unfortunately, we cannot anticipate a date of completion for your specific application at this time.
All applicants should check the Trusted Traveler Program website (https://ttp.dhs.gov/) periodically for updates or status of their application.
Additionally, if you submitted your renewal process before your membership expired, then you may continue using your benefits until the renewal is finalized (up to 18 months after your expiration date). We recommend that you print out a copy of your pending renewal to show the Customs and Border Protection Officer, if requested.
As a reminder, the Department of Homeland Security has suspended Global Entry and several other trusted traveler programs for all residents of New York.
Global Entry
The program costs $100 for five years and gives you two separate benefits. Global Entry is designed to speed your way through Customs upon your return to the United States. Customers check in at a kiosk, complete a questionnaire, have their fingerprints scanned, then are directed to baggage claim and the exit.
It also includes TSA PreCheck, a program of the Transportation Security Administration that lets approved travelers go through security screening without removing their shoes, belt or light jackets or taking their liquids (3.4 ounces or less) or laptops out of their bags. This program alone costs $85 for five years.
You can read more here on how to get these programs for free through credit cards. If you’re looking to sign up, also check out this easy trick to get a quick Global Entry interview.
