Short answer: When you work full-time, the best way to find a Global Entry appointment is to use an appointment alert service. Alerts monitor the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) scheduler 24/7 and email you when a slot opens at your chosen centers—so you can book from your phone or computer when you get the notification instead of refreshing during work. Choose 2–3 centers you can reach (e.g., near home or on your commute), including a lower-demand center if possible, and set a date range that fits your schedule (e.g., weekends or days you can take off). When you get an alert, book immediately—slots can be taken in minutes. If you have an international trip, Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) lets you complete your interview when you return, with no advance appointment. For more on limited availability, see Global Entry Appointment Hunting When You Have Limited Availability.
Full-time work doesn't have to block you. Alerts and EOA do the "checking" for you so you only act when something is actually available.
In this guide
Use Alerts So You Don't Check at Work
Appointment alert services (e.g., GE Finder) check the TTP scheduler continuously and send you an email when a slot opens at one of your selected centers. You don't need to be on the site during work hours—you just need to respond when you get the email. That way you're not refreshing the scheduler at the office or missing slots because you're in meetings. See How to Find Global Entry Appointments Without Checking All Day and Using Automation to Find Global Entry Appointments.
Choose Centers That Fit Your Schedule
Pick 2–3 enrollment centers you can realistically get to:
- Near home or on your commute so you can do the interview before work, after work, or on a day off without a long drive.
- Include a lower-demand center if you can travel there on a weekend or day off. Border and smaller centers often have availability much sooner, so you may get an alert for a slot that fits your schedule. See How to Monitor Global Entry Appointments Across Multiple States if you're open to a short trip.
You're not limited to one center—monitoring 2–3 increases the chance that an opening will appear at a time or place that works for you.
Use a Date Range That Works for You
If your alert service allows you to set a date range (e.g., only weekends or only dates when you can take time off), use it. You'll get notified only for slots in that range, so you're not getting alerts for dates you can't make. That reduces noise and keeps you focused on bookable slots.
Act Fast When You Get an Alert
Slots can be taken within minutes. When you get an alert:
- Open the TTP portal (or the booking link) as soon as you can—from your phone during a break or from your computer.
- Complete the booking immediately. Don't wait until the end of the day.
- If the slot is gone by the time you click, keep your alerts on; another one may open soon. See How Often Global Entry Appointments Actually Open (Patterns Explained).
Enrollment on Arrival as a Backup
If you travel internationally for work or vacation, Enrollment on Arrival (EOA) lets you complete your Global Entry interview when you return through a participating U.S. airport. You don't schedule in advance—you go through the EOA line after clearing customs. That way you're not hunting for an in-center appointment that fits your work schedule; you're using a trip you're already taking. See How to Combine Enrollment on Arrival with Regular Scheduling.
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I get an alert during a meeting?
Book as soon as you can—even a few minutes later from your phone. If the slot is gone, your alerts will keep monitoring; another slot may open. Setting a date range for days you can take off or weekends can help so you're not getting alerts for weekdays when you're in back-to-back meetings.
Can I do the interview on a weekend?
Some enrollment centers have weekend hours; others don't. Check the TTP site or CBP for each center's schedule. If you set your alert date range to weekends only, you'll only be notified for slots that fall on those days (where the center is open).
I travel for work. Can I do my interview at an airport I'm passing through?
You need a scheduled appointment at that center (or EOA when returning from abroad). You can't just walk in. If you have a layover or meeting in a city with an enrollment center, you could set that center as one of your alert locations and try to get a slot that aligns with your trip. See Global Entry for Remote Workers and Frequent Flyers for more.
✅ Key Takeaway
Use appointment alerts so you don't have to check the scheduler during work. Choose 2–3 centers you can reach (including a lower-demand one if possible), set a date range that fits your schedule, and book as soon as you get an alert. Use Enrollment on Arrival as a backup if you have an international return.