You got the email: your Global Entry application is conditionally approved. That means you're one step away — but you still have to complete an in-person interview. Here’s exactly what to do next: schedule at an enrollment center or use Enrollment on Arrival, what to bring, and how to grab an appointment before slots disappear in 2026.

What conditional approval actually means

Conditional approval means U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reviewed your application and you've passed the initial background check. You're not done yet.

You must complete an in-person interview before you can use Global Entry. At the interview, a CBP officer will verify your identity, review your documents, and ask a few questions.

Only after that can you be fully approved and get your Known Traveler Number (KTN) for TSA PreCheck and Global Entry kiosks.

Your two options: schedule interview or Enrollment on Arrival

After Global Entry conditional approval, you have two ways to complete the process:

1. Schedule an interview appointment at an enrollment center (airport or other location). You pick a date, time, and place on the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) site. This is what most people do when they don’t have an international trip soon.
2. Enrollment on Arrival (EoA). If you're returning to the U.S. from abroad, you can do your interview when you land at a participating airport — no separate appointment. You go through the normal CBP inspection; the officer can conduct your Global Entry interview there. See Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival 2026 for full details.

Choose “schedule” if you want to get it done soon without traveling internationally. Choose EoA if you have an international trip coming up and your arrival airport offers it.

Step-by-step: schedule your interview appointment

Step 1: Log into the Trusted Traveler Programs site

Go to https://ttp.dhs.gov/ (or ttp.cbp.dhs.gov) and sign in with the email and password you used for your application.

Open your Global Entry application — it should show “Conditionally Approved” and an option to schedule your interview.

Step 2: Open the scheduler and pick a location

Click Schedule Interview (or the equivalent link in your dashboard). You’ll see a list of enrollment centers — airports and sometimes other locations. Select the center where you want to interview. You can choose any center with availability; you’re not limited to your home airport.

Step 3: Choose a date and time

The system will show available dates and times for that center. In 2026, many popular centers have very few open slots, and when one appears it’s often taken within minutes.

Pick the first slot that works for you and confirm. You’ll receive an email confirmation — save it and add the appointment to your calendar.

Step 4: Bring the right documents to the interview

On the day of your interview, bring:

• Passport (valid, not expired)
• Driver’s license or other government-issued ID
• Proof of residency if your current address isn’t on your license (e.g. utility bill, lease)
• Permanent resident card (if you’re a lawful permanent resident)

You may also get a reminder from TTP with a document checklist — follow that. Arrive a few minutes early. The interview itself usually takes about 10–15 minutes. For common questions officers ask, see common Global Entry interview questions.

Step-by-step: Enrollment on Arrival

If you’re flying back into the U.S. from another country, you can complete your Global Entry interview during CBP inspection at many major airports. No separate appointment needed.

When you reach the CBP officer, tell them you’re conditionally approved for Global Entry and would like to complete Enrollment on Arrival. They’ll direct you (often to a secondary area) to finish the interview.

Bring the same documents you’d bring to a scheduled interview (passport, ID, proof of address if needed). Not all airports offer EoA; check the CBP list for participating locations. For a full walkthrough, read Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival 2026.

What we've observed about interview availability in 2026

In practice, availability changes throughout the day as enrollment centers update their schedules and applicants cancel or reschedule. Across many centers, the picture is the same: slots come and go.

At busy centers, openings can be claimed quickly once they appear. Many applicants notice new availability at unpredictable times — early mornings, evenings, or after weekends when people change plans.

Seeing "no appointments available" on the TTP site does not mean a center is permanently booked. It means nothing is open at that moment. Checking back at different times and monitoring for openings is part of how many applicants eventually secure an interview appointment.

Why slots disappear (and how to get one)

When someone cancels or reschedules a Global Entry interview, that slot is released back into the TTP scheduler. The same pool of slots is shared by everyone looking at that center.

At popular enrollment centers, new openings can be claimed often within minutes — sometimes in just a couple. If you hesitate or wait to decide, someone else may book the slot. The official DHS site does not hold slots while you complete the form.

Practical steps that help:

• Check multiple enrollment centers — if you can travel, look at nearby or less busy locations. See Global Entry wait times 2026 for which centers tend to have shorter waits.
• Act as soon as you see a slot that works — book it, then reschedule later if your plans change (no fee to reschedule). Securing any appointment is often the hardest step.
• Check the scheduler at different times — early morning, late evening, and after weekends often see new openings as cancellations post.
• Use monitoring or alerts — tools that watch for new openings can notify you when a slot appears so you can log in and book through the official TTP site immediately.

Common mistakes after conditional approval

• Waiting too long to schedule — conditional approval can expire if you don't complete your interview within the allowed window. Schedule or plan Enrollment on Arrival as soon as you can.
• Only checking one enrollment center — availability varies by location. If your preferred center shows nothing, try others within driving or flying distance.
• Not considering Enrollment on Arrival — if you have an international trip coming up, EoA can let you complete the interview when you land with no separate appointment. See Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival 2026.
• Forgetting required documents — bring passport, government-issued ID, and proof of residency if needed. Showing up without them can mean a wasted trip.
• Assuming wait times are fixed — "no appointments available" reflects current supply, not future supply. Cancellations free up slots; checking back or using alerts can surface openings.
• Not acting quickly when a slot appears — at busy centers, openings are often taken within minutes. If you see something that works, book it; you can reschedule later if necessary.

What happens after the interview

If the officer approves you at the interview, your status will change to fully approved. You’ll get your Known Traveler Number (KTN) in your TTP account and can add it to airline reservations for TSA PreCheck and use Global Entry kiosks when entering the U.S. from abroad.

If something is still under review, the officer will tell you; in rare cases, final approval can be denied after the interview. For more on that, see does Global Entry ever get denied after the interview.

Frequently asked questions

What does conditional approval mean for Global Entry?

It means CBP has preliminarily approved your application. You still must complete an in-person interview at an enrollment center or via Enrollment on Arrival. Only after the interview can you be fully approved and use Global Entry.

How long do I have to schedule my Global Entry interview after conditional approval?

Check your TTP dashboard and any email from CBP — the notice usually states how long you have to complete the interview. If you don’t schedule and complete it in time, your conditional approval can expire and you may need to reapply. Don’t wait; schedule or plan EoA as soon as you can.

Can I do my Global Entry interview when I return from international travel?

Yes. Enrollment on Arrival lets you complete your interview when you land at a participating U.S. airport after an international flight. You do it during the normal CBP inspection — no separate appointment needed.

Where do I schedule my Global Entry interview?

Log in at ttp.dhs.gov (or ttp.cbp.dhs.gov), open your Global Entry application, and use the Schedule Interview option. Choose an enrollment center, then pick an available date and time. Slots fill quickly, so book as soon as you see one that works.

What if no appointments are available?

Many centers show no availability because slots are snapped up quickly. Check back often, try different centers if you can travel, or use an alert service that notifies you when a slot opens so you can book through the official site right away.