Short answer: The fastest legitimate ways to get a Global Entry interview are: (1) use an appointment alert service so you're notified the moment a slot opens at your chosen centers; (2) include at least one border or lower-demand enrollment center in your search so you're competing for slots that open more often and are taken more slowly; (3) monitor 2–3 centers at once (via alerts or manual checking) to increase the chance that an opening appears somewhere you can go; and (4) use Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) if you have an international return through a participating airport—you complete the interview when you land, with no advance appointment. There are no secret back doors or paid "expedite" options from CBP; these strategies work because they align you with when and where slots actually appear. For a step-by-step combo, see How to Stack Multiple Strategies to Find an Interview Faster.
People who get interviews "fast" are usually doing one or more of these things—not refreshing one busy center at random times. Below is a concise breakdown.
In this guide
1. Appointment Alerts
Alert services monitor the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) scheduler 24/7 and email you when a slot opens at one of your selected enrollment centers. You don't have to be online—you just book when you get the notification. That way you're in the game the moment a slot appears instead of discovering it by chance. Most people who get interviews "quickly" are either using alerts or checking at the right times; alerts remove the need to guess when to check. See Using Automation to Find Global Entry Appointments and Why Paying for Global Entry Monitoring Is Worth It.
2. Border and Lower-Demand Centers
Demand at major airport centers (JFK, LAX, Miami, etc.) is so high that the next available slot can be many months away. Border and smaller enrollment centers have much lower demand—fewer people search for them, so slots stay open longer and new openings appear more often relative to applicants. If you can travel to one of these centers, you can often get an interview in weeks instead of a year. You're allowed to use any U.S. enrollment center; your address doesn't restrict you. See The Most Overbooked Global Entry Centers in 2026 to see which centers to avoid if you want the soonest date.
3. Multiple Centers at Once
Checking or monitoring 2–3 centers at once (instead of just your local airport) multiplies your chances. When one center has no availability for months, another might have something in weeks. Alert services typically let you select 2–3 centers; when a slot opens at any of them, you're notified. See How to Track Multiple Enrollment Centers at Once and How to Monitor Global Entry Appointments Across Multiple States.
4. Enrollment on Arrival
Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) lets you complete your Global Entry interview when you return from an international flight at a participating U.S. airport. You don't schedule in advance—you go through the EOA line after clearing customs. If your return airport offers EOA, this can be the "fastest" way in the sense that you don't wait months for an in-center slot; you use your next international return. See How to Combine Enrollment on Arrival with Regular Scheduling.
What Doesn't Work (Or Isn't Legit)
- Paying someone to "expedite" your application. No third party can speed up CBP's review or get you a special slot. Only CBP decides approval and scheduling.
- Submitting multiple applications. You can only have one active application at a time. Duplicate applications can complicate your case.
- Refreshing one busy center 100 times a day. That can lead to scheduler lockouts and rarely beats alerts + multiple centers. See Why Most People Miss Global Entry Appointments Even When They're Checking.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast can I get an interview if I do all of this?
There's no guarantee—slots depend on cancellations and CBP releases. Many people who use alerts + 2–3 centers (including a low-demand one) get a slot within weeks to a few months. EOA can give you an interview on your next international return if your airport offers it.
Is it worth paying for an alert service?
For most people, yes. It saves hours of manual checking and increases the chance you'll see a slot when it appears. See Why Paying for Global Entry Monitoring Is Worth It and Case Studies: How Users Found Appointments in Under 7 Days.
What if I can't travel to a border center?
You can still use alerts and multiple centers within your travel range. Even 2–3 centers (e.g., your local airport plus one or two nearby) improve your odds over checking only one. EOA remains an option if you have an international return.
✅ Key Takeaway
The fastest legit ways to get a Global Entry interview: use appointment alerts, include a border or lower-demand center, monitor 2–3 centers at once, and use Enrollment on Arrival if you have an international return. There are no paid shortcuts from CBP—these strategies work because they match how and where slots actually open.