As of February 12th, Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport (IAD) has become the first airport to offer Global Entry interviews for travelers departing the U.S. for international flights. This new service allows conditionally approved applicants to complete the final step of the Global Entry application process ahead of their international flight at IAD. Previously, this service was only available for candidates returning to the U.S.
Enrollment on departure will be available daily at IAD’s Gate B41 in Terminal B from noon to 8 p.m. To qualify for this service, travelers must have been conditionally approved for Global Entry and be at the final step of the application process, which is completing an in-person interview.
This new feature at IAD provides an additional convenient option for travelers to complete their Global Entry interview. Previously, travelers could participate in Enrollment on Arrival, which allows conditionally approved applicants to complete the Global Entry enrollment interview as part of the immigration process at the airport upon returning to the U.S. from abroad. Enrollment on Arrival is currently available at more than 60 airports globally.
Both services, Enrollment on Departure and Enrollment on Arrival, are particularly helpful for travelers as they provide convenient interview options, especially when interview appointments remain hard to secure. Global Entry is a U.S. Customs and Border Protection program that provides expedited arrival into the U.S. for pre-approved, low-risk travelers via automatic kiosks at 75-plus airports across the U.S. and select pre-clearance locations abroad.
When entering the U.S. at participating airports, Global Entry members present their machine-readable passport or U.S. permanent resident card, place their fingers on the scanner for fingerprint verification, and complete a customs declaration. Some airports even use facial recognition technology, making the process even quicker by eliminating the need to show a printed receipt to an officer before exiting the baggage claim area.
A Global Entry membership is valid for five years and includes a TSA PreCheck membership, which provides expedited security screening at participating airports. Before applying for Global Entry, it’s important to note that there are credit cards available that reimburse cardholders for the $100 application fee associated with Global Entry. This can help offset the cost of the program and make it more accessible to frequent travelers.
In conclusion, Washington, D.C.’s Dulles International Airport is leading the way by offering Global Entry interviews for travelers departing the U.S. for international flights. This new service provides an additional option for conditionally approved applicants to complete their Global Entry interview before their international flight. With Enrollment on Departure and Enrollment on Arrival services available, travelers now have more convenient options to expedite their entry into the U.S. and make their international travel experience smoother.