www.CostaRicaTicas.com

I've traveled to CR a couple of time now and have scheduled another trip in late August. I decided to apply for Global Entry last month and received an email for conditional approval and need to set up an appointment for an interview. The earliest interview in St. Louis is for the morning I'm flying to CR! I can go to different airport and get the interview completed in mid-July. Does anyone know how long it takes from this interview to get final approval so I have the GE in place when I make the August trip?

Thanks for you expertise,

Blackjackguy

I just went back and searched my posts on this. I applied on a Friday online, and got a conditional approval on Monday and interview on Tuesday. I was approved at the interview, and was told that I could start using it the next day. The card arrived on Friday (3 days after interview), but the card is not needed for air travel. It's used to cross from Canada and Mexico. Your passport is in the system, and that's what you use.

BTW- mine was at JFK

viewtopic.php?f=4&t=38484&p=452551#p452551

Same here...they gave me my number at the interview and said it was active. Card arrived a week or 2 later, but the card is not necessary. You just update your airline reservation to include the number.

Best to get the interview done ASAP. I drove an extra 2 1/2 hrs to DTW to make sure mine got approved before my trip. Interview took 20 mins. I did not get my number at the interview. 4 days later I got the approval message with my number on the GE site and the Card arrived 1 week later.

Neighbor went to one of the Chicago airports around the same time for his interview. He did not get his number at the interview. His approval took 3 weeks before he got his number.

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If you see me at the bottom, please bring me my running shoes!

You don't need the number (nor card) to enter the country using GE. Your passport is in the system once approved. The number is only to add to your itinerary so you can get TSA Pre-check. It may or may not help you clear security faster.

I got lucky and was at my appointment in Chicago very early. They were not busy and took me next. Interview took 15 and instant approval. I should mention that some airports like Houston Hobby has automatic machine approval without Global Entry and it is just as fast. The last time I walked off the plane it took me 5-6 minutes and I was out of the door on to my next flight! I think the best part of it is the TSA precheck.

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I am NOT a Cien Boy!!

Thanks for your input. I signed up online a couple of weeks ago and received an email today notifying me of a change in status on the GOES website. I logged in and found out the application had been conditionally approved and a link was provided to schedule the interview. Checking different airports within a few hour drive, the best choice was St. Louis on the day I'm flying to CR in late August. Nashville, TN and Cincinnati, OH were showing December for the first available interview dates.

The letter associated with the email has my new GE membership number on it and states that if the account is approved, this will become my Known Traveler Number.

Blackjackguy