Usually yes, but not always. Once you are conditionally approved, your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account instructs you to schedule an interview at an enrollment center, and CBP says each applicant must schedule a separate interview. A few routes skip the appointment, including Enrollment on Arrival, Enrollment on Departure, and some walk-in offices. Every one of them still requires conditional approval first.
When you need an appointment
A standard in-person interview means booking a time slot at an enrollment center through your TTP account. Because each applicant books separately, everyone applying needs their own slot. Slots are limited and waits differ a lot from one center to the next, so check our live Global Entry wait-time statistics before you pick a center. If the centers near you are booked out, an alert service such as Snapslot can text you the moment a cancellation opens, and the routes below can get you interviewed without waiting for a slot at all.
Ways to get interviewed without an appointment
Enrollment on Arrival
CBP's Enrollment on Arrival (EoA) program lets conditionally approved Global Entry applicants complete the interview when they arrive in the United States, with no enrollment center appointment. You go to the EoA booth in the CBP Federal Inspection Services area after you land. CBP's page lists more than 60 participating airports in the U.S. and abroad, and hours vary by airport. If you already booked an enrollment center appointment, CBP says it is canceled automatically once you complete EoA. Read our guide to Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival for the details.
Enrollment on Departure
At Miami International (MIA) and Detroit Metro (DTW), CBP lets conditionally approved applicants finish the interview at the airport before a same-day flight, again with no appointment. See our guide to Global Entry Enrollment on Departure for where each office is and how it works.
Walk-in enrollment offices
CBP's FAQ says travelers passing through domestic airports can check whether the airport has an enrollment center that can "immediately accept conditionally approved persons to complete walk-in enrollments." Others require an appointment, so verify before you go. One recent example: in October 2026 CBP opened a walk-in Global Entry office at Detroit Metro's McNamara Terminal. CBP's announcement says no appointment is required, interviews are first-come, first-served, and availability depends on CBP staffing, so an interview is not guaranteed on any given visit.
Remote interview for some renewals
Some renewing Global Entry members who are conditionally approved can interview by video through CBP's Remote Interview Pilot. You still schedule a time through your TTP dashboard, but you skip the trip to an enrollment center. First-time applicants are not yet eligible. See our guide to scheduling a remote Global Entry interview.
Quick comparison
| Route | Appointment needed? | Who it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Enrollment center | Yes | Any conditionally approved applicant |
| Enrollment on Arrival | No | Conditionally approved applicants arriving in the U.S. at participating airports |
| Enrollment on Departure | No | Conditionally approved applicants flying out of Miami or Detroit the same day |
| Walk-in office (for example, Detroit McNamara) | No, but not guaranteed | Conditionally approved applicants at participating offices |
| Remote interview | You still schedule a time | Some renewing members who are conditionally approved |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I walk in to any Global Entry enrollment center?
Not reliably. CBP says some airport enrollment centers can accept conditionally approved applicants for walk-in enrollments, while others require you to schedule an interview. Check CBP's information for your center, and plan on booking an appointment unless you know the office takes walk-ins.
Do I need an appointment for Enrollment on Arrival?
No. CBP says Enrollment on Arrival removes the need to schedule an interview at an enrollment center. You need conditional approval first, and the program is available at participating airports only.
Can I do my interview before I am conditionally approved?
No. Every route in this guide is for applicants who have already received conditional approval. Complete your application online and wait for CBP's decision in your TTP account first.
What if I cannot find an appointment?
Compare nearby enrollment centers on our wait-time page, consider Enrollment on Arrival if you are flying back into the U.S., and set up SMS alerts for cancellations. Our guide to what to do when there are no available appointments walks through each option.
