TexasCHLforum.com

I do a fair amount of international travel (few times a year), and do not like waiting in the immigration/customs lines upon return...especially if it's a Saturday in the Summer at DFW...wow...been there, done that, 1.5 hours later I finally walked out the door...so, enter the Global Entry Program. Cost is $100 for the application fee, non-refundable if you don't get approved, good for 4 years. When returning from international travel you essentially just go to a Global Entry kiosk, answer a few questions, provide biometric info, etc. and move on through (ie - head of the line, no waiting). It also gives you access to the TSA Pre-Check / Trusted Traveler security checkpoints, in other words, faster/expedited screening and less-intrusive screening. I travel enough for this to be worth it.

Just applied last night, took the better part of an hour trying to document the countries I have been to in the past five years, all my info, etc...sort of like filling out the TX CHL App! Has anyone else here done that? There is an interview as well before final approval Just wondering if I'll be denied due to any of my political views (ie - the shirts I ordered yesterday...."President's Enemy List - Official Member" and "I'll Keep My Guns, My Freedom and My Money - You Keep The Change"). One of denial reasons is The applicant has been identified on a government watch list...hmmmm...I wonder if that includes everyone on this site?

Here's the full listing:

An applicant may not qualify for participation if any of the following risk factors are applicable:
The applicant provides false or incomplete information on the application;
The applicant has been arrested for, or convicted of any criminal offense or has pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants;
The applicant has been found to be in violation of any customs, immigration, or agriculture regulations, procedures, or laws in any country;
The applicant is the subject of an investigation by any Federal, State, or local law enforcement agency;
The applicant is inadmissible to the United States under U.S. immigration laws and regulations, including applicants with approved waivers of inadmissibility or parole documentation;
The applicant cannot satisfy CBP of their low-risk status or meet other program requirements; or
The applicant has been identified on a government watch list.

Pucker,
I have already filled out the form online and have been "conditionally approved", just pending my NEXUS interview, which is scheduled for the end of the month - in DETROIT...
yes, you can schedule your own, but for NEXUS, they only do it on the Canadian Border, so here we are..

A fellow forum member and my brother in law, NordicTexan has his Global Entry and when he is coming from Canada, as well as other countries (as long as he is not with his family) he has talked about how quick the entry process is now and is well worth going through the process (which is why I am in the process now).

Another benefit, once you have your Global Entry approval, there is the TSA PreCheck program.
If you are not familiar with it, you can read about it here: http://www.tsa.gov/what_we_do/escreening.shtm" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;
Basically, once you have your approval, PreCheck is just a formality.
When you have your PreCheck in place, at certain airports (or even certain terminals within an airport) you can go through security without removing shoes, jacket, belt, laptop from the case and the 3oz or less liquids from your bags, so basically making a quick entry through security (you still have to stand in line up to the point TSA reviews your boarding pass and ID, but after that, the PreCheck takes effect.

One thing I see that I question is the below...notice that is says "arrest"...along with "or"....meaning that if you have just been arrested (but not convicted)....

The applicant has been arrested for, or convicted of any criminal offense or has pending criminal charges or outstanding warrants;


So, gotta see how this plays out. I was arrested over 20 years ago for UCW, charges dropped a few days later.

PUCKER wrote: I was arrested over 20 years ago for UCW, charges dropped a few days later.

My guess is it will be similar to Texas DPS with respect to the CHL.
You may have been arrested, doesn't mean you are a bad person, since charges were dropped.

PM Sent

The interview was almost a formality. They made sure I understood what the program was and wasn't. Then they scanned my fingerprints and retina.

recaffeination wrote:The interview was almost a formality.

Did you have to go to a NEXUS interview, near the Canadian border, or is there any locations down here that you are aware of?

If you travel a lot, the GEOs program is totally worth it especially for trying making tight connections from International to domestic flights as well as passing through the mega inbound airports like LAX, EWR, ORD, etc.

Is there an expiration on the Global Entry membership? In other words, would I have to renew it (or reapply) every so often, like my passport?

Teamless wrote:

recaffeination wrote:The interview was almost a formality.

Did you have to go to a NEXUS interview, near the Canadian border, or is there any locations down here that you are aware of?

http://usa.immigrationvisaforms.com/tra ... -locations" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Hmmm.. page does not allow me to copy/paste... Another government success...

DFW Terminal D, M-F 08:00 to 15:00, Phone 972-973-9972

Please keep us posted Pucker. I'm on the fence about the process re: cost, hassle vs. reward. If my international travel increases any, I'll probably do it. I must fit some profile. I get "randomly chosen" for secondary screening all too frequently.

LikesShinyThings wrote:Is there an expiration on the Global Entry membership? In other words, would I have to renew it (or reapply) every so often, like my passport?

http://www.globalentry.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.globalentry.gov/faq.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Didn't find anything about expiration in the FAQ...

RoyGBiv wrote:

LikesShinyThings wrote:Is there an expiration on the Global Entry membership? In other words, would I have to renew it (or reapply) every so often, like my passport?

http://www.globalentry.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.globalentry.gov/faq.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Didn't find anything about expiration in the FAQ...

Yeah, I've been all thru the FAQ as best as I can and saw nothing about an expiration on it, or lifetime validity or... ???? I'm hoping someone who actually has one can save me the grief of calling and calling thru the various offices again until I can find someone who will answer the phone and answer my question.

LikesShinyThings wrote:

RoyGBiv wrote:

LikesShinyThings wrote:Is there an expiration on the Global Entry membership? In other words, would I have to renew it (or reapply) every so often, like my passport?

http://www.globalentry.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.globalentry.gov/faq.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Didn't find anything about expiration in the FAQ...

Yeah, I've been all thru the FAQ as best as I can and saw nothing about an expiration on it, or lifetime validity or... ???? I'm hoping someone who actually has one can save me the grief of calling and calling thru the various offices again until I can find someone who will answer the phone and answer my question.

The FAQ refers to "renewals" and the OP says 4 years.... Sketchy, but, I'm betting you need to renew every 4 years.
The FAQ says that a follow up interview MAY not be required for renewal.

Please post it if you find a definitive answer..

RoyGBiv wrote:

LikesShinyThings wrote:

RoyGBiv wrote:

LikesShinyThings wrote:Is there an expiration on the Global Entry membership? In other words, would I have to renew it (or reapply) every so often, like my passport?

http://www.globalentry.gov/" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

http://www.globalentry.gov/faq.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

Didn't find anything about expiration in the FAQ...

Yeah, I've been all thru the FAQ as best as I can and saw nothing about an expiration on it, or lifetime validity or... ???? I'm hoping someone who actually has one can save me the grief of calling and calling thru the various offices again until I can find someone who will answer the phone and answer my question.

The FAQ refers to "renewals" and the OP says 4 years.... Sketchy, but, I'm betting you need to renew every 4 years.
The FAQ says that a follow up interview MAY not be required for renewal.

Please post it if you find a definitive answer..

Argh. Right in front of my face, if I had bothered to read a little closer. Thanks, RoyGBiv. That 4 years and "renewal" was the part I was looking for. I do not like when I'm that blind.
Of course, now I'm wondering what the renewal fees are. But I think I need to check with my husband if he's even willing to consider it at $100 for 4 years and probably pretty limited usefulness for us just yet. I wish they had the program implemented at more airports/airlines.

I got a NEXUS card when I was crossing the border frequently for work and it was well worth it. The ability to breeze through immigration was great. However, the new job has minimal travel, so I doubt I will renew in 2014.