Short answer: CBP does not publish official “fastest states” for Global Entry. What actually varies is interview slot availability by enrollment center: centers in less populated or less tourist-heavy areas (e.g., some border states, smaller airports) often show shorter wait times for the next available slot than major hubs like JFK, LAX, or MIA. So “fastest” usually means “where can I get an interview soonest?”—and that’s driven by center demand, not by your state of residence. If you can travel, consider adding less busy centers to your search or using appointment alerts for multiple locations. See The Most Overbooked Global Entry Centers in 2026 and our airport guides.
Why “State” Isn’t What CBP Reports
Global Entry processing has two parts: (1) application review and conditional approval (handled centrally), and (2) in-person interview (at an enrollment center you choose). CBP doesn’t publish state-by-state approval times or “fastest states.” Your state of residence doesn’t determine which center you use—you pick any center you can get to. So “fastest” for you means: which enrollment center has the soonest available interview slot?
Where Slots Tend to Be Sooner
Centers in high-demand areas (major international airports in big cities) often show no availability for months. Centers in less busy locations—e.g., some border crossings, regional airports, or smaller states—can have openings in weeks. So “states” with relatively faster availability are often those with fewer applicants per center or more centers per capita. Use the official scheduler to check “next available” at several centers you can reach; or use an appointment alert service (e.g., GE Finder) to monitor multiple centers and get notified when a slot opens at any of them.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which states have the fastest Global Entry approval times?
CBP doesn’t publish “fastest states.” What varies is interview slot availability by enrollment center—less busy centers (often in smaller or border areas) can have openings sooner than major hubs like JFK or LAX.
Can I use a center in another state?
Yes. You can choose any enrollment center you can get to. If you can travel, monitoring 2–3 centers (including less busy ones) increases your chance of getting an interview sooner.
✅ Key Takeaway
“Fastest” means where you can get an interview soonest—driven by center demand, not your state. Use multiple centers or appointment alerts to find the soonest slot.