Short answer: Global Entry interviews are cancelled by CBP for reasons such as staffing shortages, facility closures, weather or emergencies, system outages, or operational changes. When CBP cancels your appointment, they typically notify you by email and the slot is removed from the scheduler. Your conditional approval remains valid—you're not penalized. You need to log into the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) portal and schedule a new interview before your 365-day conditional approval window expires. Cancelled slots often reappear in the system for others to book, which is why appointment cancellations are a major source of new availability.
If your appointment was cancelled, act quickly to reschedule: open slots from cancellations can fill fast. Using appointment alerts or checking the best times to check for cancellations can help you secure a new date.
In this guide
Common Reasons CBP Cancels Interviews
- Staffing or scheduling changes. Officers may be reassigned, on leave, or needed elsewhere. The center may reduce or cancel interview blocks.
- Facility issues. Building maintenance, security incidents, or temporary closure can force cancellations.
- Weather or emergencies. Severe weather, natural disasters, or other emergencies can close enrollment centers.
- System or technical issues. Scheduler or system outages can lead to bulk rescheduling or cancellations.
- Government shutdowns. During a lapse in funding, enrollment centers close and appointments are cancelled. See Appointment Hunting After a Government Shutdown for what happens next.
CBP does not usually specify the exact reason for each cancellation in the email; you'll just see that your appointment is no longer valid.
What Happens When Your Interview Is Cancelled
When CBP cancels your appointment:
- You receive an email from Trusted Traveler Programs stating that your appointment has been cancelled.
- The appointment disappears from your TTP dashboard and from the scheduler.
- Your conditional approval is unchanged—you are not penalized for the cancellation. Your 365-day window does not extend, so you still must complete an interview before that deadline.
- The slot (and possibly others from the same block) may re-enter the pool and become available for anyone to book. That's why cancellation waves often create a burst of availability; see Why Do Global Entry Interview Slots Get Cancelled—And When Do They Reopen?
What to Do When Your Interview Is Cancelled
- Check your email and TTP portal. Confirm the cancellation and note that you need to reschedule.
- Reschedule as soon as you can. Log into the TTP portal and look for a new appointment. Cancelled slots and new openings can be taken quickly.
- Expand your search. Check multiple enrollment centers and date ranges. Tracking multiple centers or using appointment alerts can surface new slots faster than checking one center manually.
- Watch your 365-day deadline. If your conditional approval is close to expiring, prioritize getting any available interview at any center you can reach. Consider Enrollment on Arrival if you have an international return through a participating airport.
Can You Avoid Cancellations?
You can't prevent CBP from cancelling. You can reduce the impact by:
- Rescheduling quickly when a cancellation happens
- Using alerts so you're notified when new slots open (including those from cancellations)
- Having a backup plan (e.g., another center or EOA) if you're close to your approval deadline
Frequently Asked Questions
Will I get a refund if CBP cancels my interview?
The application fee is not refunded when CBP cancels an interview. Your conditional approval remains valid; you just need to book a new appointment.
Does a cancellation extend my 365-day approval window?
No. The one-year window is from your conditional approval date. A cancellation does not extend it. You must complete an interview before that date.
How will I know if my appointment is cancelled?
CBP sends an email to the address on your TTP account. Check your spam folder and keep your contact information current in the portal.
✅ Key Takeaway
CBP cancels interviews for staffing, facilities, weather, systems, or shutdowns. You're not penalized—your conditional approval stays valid. Reschedule quickly, check multiple centers, and use alerts to grab a new slot before your 365-day window expires.