Short answer: During a federal government shutdown, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) enrollment centers close and no new Global Entry interviews are scheduled. After the shutdown ends, centers reopen and previously cancelled slots often reappear in waves—creating a short window of better availability. The best move is to monitor the official scheduler as soon as reopening is announced and to use appointment alerts so you don’t miss new slots.
In this guide
What Happens During a Shutdown
When Congress fails to pass appropriations, many federal agencies operate in a reduced or halted state. CBP is part of the Department of Homeland Security; enrollment centers are staffed by CBP officers who may be furloughed or reassigned during a lapse in funding.
Effects on Global Entry
- Centers close. In-person enrollment centers do not conduct interviews during a shutdown.
- Online scheduling is paused or limited. The Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) scheduler may show no appointments or may not allow new bookings until funding is restored.
- Conditional approvals keep ticking. Your conditional approval validity period does not automatically extend because of a shutdown. If your approval expires before you can interview, you must reapply and pay again.
When and How Centers Reopen
Reopening is not instant. CBP must restore funding, recall staff, and resume operations. Announcements usually come via:
- DHS / CBP press releases and social media
- News coverage of the end of the shutdown
- The official Trusted Traveler Programs site
Once centers reopen, the scheduler is repopulated. Existing appointments that were cancelled during the shutdown typically reappear as available slots, and new capacity is added as staff return.
Why Availability Often Improves After a Shutdown
Right after a shutdown, you often see a temporary spike in open slots for a few reasons:
- Backlog of cancelled appointments. Everyone who had an interview during the shutdown period lost that slot. Those slots re-enter the pool.
- Pent-up demand meets reopened supply. CBP may open blocks of time to clear the backlog, so more dates show up at once.
- Fewer people checking at the exact moment. Not everyone is watching the scheduler the hour reopening is announced. If you are, you can grab slots before they’re taken.
This “recovery window” can last from a few days to a couple of weeks, depending on the center and how long the shutdown lasted.
How to Hunt for Appointments After a Shutdown
Step 1: Know when funding is restored
Follow DHS/CBP announcements and news. As soon as a continuing resolution or full appropriations is signed, start checking the TTP scheduler for your preferred locations.
Step 2: Check multiple enrollment centers
If you can travel, look at several centers—including less busy ones—to increase the chance of finding an earlier date. See our guide hub by airport for location-specific strategies.
Step 3: Use alerts so you don’t miss slots
Slots that reappear after a shutdown can be taken within minutes. Manually refreshing the page is tedious and easy to miss. An appointment alert service like GE Finder monitors the scheduler 24/7 and notifies you when slots open at your chosen centers, so you can book as soon as they’re available.
Step 4: Have your documents and TTP account ready
Log in to the TTP portal, confirm your conditional approval is still valid, and have your ID and any required documents handy so you can complete booking as soon as you see a slot.
If Your Conditional Approval Is Expiring
Conditional approval is usually valid for a set period (often one year from approval). Shutdowns do not extend that period. If your approval will expire before you can get an interview after a shutdown:
- Keep trying for any opening at any center you can reach.
- Consider Enrollment on Arrival if you have an international trip and your return airport offers EOA.
- If you do expire, you’ll need to reapply and pay the fee again; there is no automatic extension.
For more on timelines, see How Long Does Global Entry Conditional Approval Take in 2026?
Frequently Asked Questions
How do government shutdowns affect Global Entry appointments?
During a shutdown, CBP enrollment centers close and no interviews are conducted. The online scheduler may show no availability. After funding is restored, centers reopen and cancelled slots often reappear, sometimes creating a short period of better availability.
Do I get more time if my conditional approval expires during a shutdown?
No. Conditional approval validity is not extended because of a shutdown. If it expires before you complete your interview, you must reapply and pay the fee again.
When is the best time to look for appointments after a shutdown?
As soon as reopening is announced. Slots are repopulated quickly and get taken fast. Setting up appointment alerts before or as soon as the shutdown ends helps you act immediately.
Can I still do Enrollment on Arrival during a shutdown?
EOA happens at ports of entry when you return from abroad. If CBP at the airport is operating (e.g., for border clearance), EOA may still be offered, but during a full shutdown even that can be affected. Check CBP announcements for the specific reopening of services you need.
✅ Key Takeaway
Shutdowns close enrollment centers and pause scheduling. After reopening, cancelled slots often reappear in a short window of better availability. Monitor the scheduler as soon as funding is restored and use appointment alerts so you don’t miss new slots.