A Revolutionary Global Entry on Departure Program Might Change the Game

Once you’re signed up for the customs-fast-tracking service Global Entry, the experience is fantastic. However, travelers have frequently expressed frustration over the lengthy wait for a coveted Global Entry interview—applicants often endure weeks or even months to complete the process, with the current processing time averaging four to six months.

Fortunately, a new initiative launched by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the agency in charge of Global Entry, aims to streamline this process. It’s called Enrollment on Departure, and here’s how it operates.

Understanding How Global Entry Enrollment on Departure Functions

Currently, the inaugural Global Entry Enrollment on Departure program is available exclusively at Dulles International Airport in Washington, D.C. The Enrollment on Departure office is situated in the B concourse at gate B41 and operates daily from noon to 8 p.m., with no appointment necessary.

“Applicants conditionally approved for CBP’s trusted traveler program can now finalize their interviews before boarding a flight leaving the United States,” stated Marc Calixte, area port director for CBP in Washington, D.C. “This is fantastic news for those seeking to arrange interviews to finalize their membership.”

“Conditionally approved” travelers refer to those whose applications and background checks have been successfully cleared. They must bring their passport and a physical document verifying their residency. Acceptable documents include a driver’s license, a mortgage or rental payment statement, a utility bill, or any other paperwork confirming a current address (proof of residence is not required for minors). Additionally, they will need to present their airline ticket for their international flight, as this program is not available for passengers leaving Dulles on domestic flights.

CBP advises travelers to “allow sufficient time to complete this interview process before their international flight departs.”

The potential expansion of Enrollment on Departure to other U.S. airports will depend on its performance in the nation’s capital. Currently, CBP has no concrete plans to extend the initiative beyond D.C., though this may change in the future.

If you're not flying out of D.C. for your global adventures, you can schedule an interview at an enrollment center (and there’s also a clever way to secure an interview more quickly) or opt for Global Entry’s Enrollment on Arrival option. This alternative works similarly to Enrollment on Departure but is intended for those re-entering the country and is available at over 50 airports nationwide.

The Benefits of Global Entry

For those unfamiliar, Global Entry offers participants expedited passport screenings at 77 airports both in the United States and internationally. This program typically enables travelers to navigate through security in just minutes, avoiding the often lengthy queues faced by passengers arriving on international flights who are not enrolled.

The application fee for Global Entry is $100, and once approved, your membership remains valid for five years. Additionally, Global Entry includes TSA PreCheck as part of the benefits (another trusted traveler program that lets pre-approved flyers access expedited TSA security lines at most U.S. airports, keeping their shoes on and allowing electronic devices to stay in their bags). TSA PreCheck on its own usually costs $78 for a five-year membership. Some credit cards offer to waive the Global Entry fee as a perk for cardholders.