Short answer: When someone cancels a Global Entry interview, that slot goes back into the CBP scheduler and becomes available to anyone. It usually shows up again within minutes—sometimes seconds—and is often taken just as fast because thousands of people and alert services are checking. So “cancellations” are the main way new slots appear; the system doesn’t release big blocks of appointments on a set schedule. If you want to catch one, you need to either check very frequently or use an appointment alert so you’re notified the moment something opens.
Why Interview Slots Get Cancelled
Slots disappear from someone’s calendar for normal life reasons:
- Applicant cancels or reschedules: Trip changed, conflict, chose a different center or time.
- No-show: Person didn’t show up; CBP marks the slot as missed and it goes back into the pool.
- Center or system issue: Rarely, a center closes (weather, emergency) or the system drops an appointment; those slots can reappear later.
There’s no single “release” time. The pool refills continuously as people cancel. For more detail on the mechanics, see How Global Entry Appointment Cancellations Actually Work.
When Do Cancelled Slots Reopen?
As soon as the cancellation is processed in CBP’s system, the slot is available again. That can be:
- Within minutes of the applicant cancelling online
- After a no-show is recorded (often by end of day or next day)
- After a batch update (e.g., end of day) in some centers
So there’s no fixed “reopen” time—it’s event-driven. That’s why people say slots “appear and disappear” quickly; you’re seeing real-time churn.
Why Slots Disappear So Fast
Demand is high and supply is limited. When one slot opens:
- Many people are refreshing the scheduler or using “find next available” tools.
- Alert services (e.g., GE Finder) poll the scheduler and notify subscribers as soon as a slot appears at their chosen centers.
- Whoever completes the booking first gets the slot; everyone else sees it as gone.
So “when do they reopen?” = as soon as the cancellation is processed. “When can I get one?” = as soon as you see it and book—which usually means you need alerts or very frequent checking. For timing patterns, see When Is the Best Time of Day to Check for Global Entry Cancellations?
What You Can Do
- Reschedule instead of no-show. If you can’t make your interview, reschedule so you keep your application and someone else can use your old slot.
- Use appointment alerts. A service that monitors the scheduler 24/7 (e.g., GE Finder) can notify you the moment a slot opens at your selected centers, so you don’t have to guess when to check.
- Check multiple centers. If you can travel, add several enrollment centers to increase the chance that an opening matches your schedule. See the guide hub by airport.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens when someone cancels a Global Entry interview?
That slot returns to the pool and becomes available to anyone. It typically appears on the scheduler within minutes and is often taken within seconds by another applicant or an alert-driven user.
Why do Global Entry appointments disappear so fast?
There are far more applicants than slots. When a slot opens, many people and automated tools are checking at once, so the first person to complete booking gets it.
Is there a certain time when cancelled slots are released?
No. Slots appear whenever a cancellation is processed—any time of day or night. That’s why consistent monitoring or appointment alerts works better than checking at a “magic” time.
✅ Key Takeaway
Cancelled interview slots go back into the pool and reopen as soon as the system processes the cancellation. They’re often taken in seconds. To catch one, use appointment alerts or check the scheduler very frequently.