How to use Appointment Scanner to find a Global Entry interview
Editor's Note
Global Entry, which gives preapproved, low-risk travelers expedited clearance upon arrival in the U.S. from abroad, is the most popular Trusted Traveler Program run by U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with over 10 million members.
In theory, it's a straightforward process. Perhaps the biggest hurdle is the interview that first-time Global Entry applicants must schedule as the final step of the application process (some renewals may also be required).
Due to appointment availability, scheduling an interview within a reasonable time frame through U.S. Customs and Border Protection's online scheduling tool can be challenging. As such, you may want to consider an appointment finder service such as Appointment Scanner, which takes the legwork out of finding an appointment by doing it for you.
How it works
For $29, users get one month of appointment alerts (up to 25 per day) based on last-minute cancellations and newly released appointments across enrollment centers.
Appointment Scanner does not actually book the interview for you, nor does it sell appointments; it simply alerts users of appointment openings for which the user must sign up for themselves. It also notifies eligible Global Entry renewal applicants of remote interview availability — search "Remote/Zoom options" when selecting your enrollment centers at sign-up.
Appointment Scanner identifies appointments at users' desired enrollment centers by compiling last-minute cancellations and newly released slots as they go online.
If you find an appointment within your first month, your account will automatically expire, and you won't be charged again. Though unlikely, there may not be any appointments available during your first month — in which case, users can purchase a second month of alerts for $29. If you are unsatisfied with your first month of service, the company will refund you within 30 days.
How to sign up for Appointment Scanner
It's fairly easy to register — you provide the service with your email, phone number for texts (optional) and up to three desired Global Entry locations.
"When we find an appointment that fits your requirements, you'll receive a text message or email (or both – your choice)," notes Appointment Scanner. "This alert has a link to the Global Entry scheduler website, where you can log in and claim the appointment."
To complete the sign-up, choose "express checkout" via Google Pay or input your credit card. You should then receive an order confirmation.
From there, select Global Entry enrollment centers based on your desired location.
If you have an interview scheduled but hope Appointment Scanner can find one for you sooner, the system will also ask you to share your current interview date to limit notifications to appointments that open up before that date. If you don't have one, leave it blank; Appointment Scanner will alert you for anything that crops up within a six-month window.
You can also opt in to text alerts to receive notifications for the appointment availability at your selected locations.
The same information is also available to users in the Appointment Scanner dashboard, which shows when your one-month access expires.
Bottom line
Appointment Scanner is incredibly simple and easy to use — and also assists in finding appointments for SENTRI and Nexus interview appointments.
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