Not always. CBP's FAQ answers the question "Will I need to be interviewed again when I renew my program membership?" with: "An interview for program membership renewal may not be necessary." Whether you need one depends on your renewal, and your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) account is where CBP tells you.
How to find out if you need an interview
Submit your renewal and fee in your TTP account, then follow the instructions it gives you. If an interview is required, your account will tell you to schedule one. CBP's FAQ answer does not spell out who is called in, so your account's instructions are the reliable answer, not a rule of thumb from a forum.
If you do need an interview
A remote interview by video
Some renewing Global Entry members who are conditionally approved can finish the interview by video through CBP's Remote Interview Pilot. CBP says you must be at least 18, have a photo on file with CBP taken within the past 10 years and after you turned 14, and have submitted fingerprints to CBP before. If you are eligible, your TTP dashboard shows a "Scheduling Your Remote Interview" link. CBP says the interview takes about 15 minutes and runs on Zoom, so you need a device with a working camera and microphone. Our guide to scheduling a remote Global Entry interview covers the full process.
An in-person appointment
If you are not offered a remote interview, book an appointment at an enrollment center. Waits vary widely, so compare centers on our live wait-time page. If every nearby slot is taken, Snapslot texts you the moment a cancellation opens at the centers you choose.
Enrollment on Arrival
CBP describes Enrollment on Arrival as a way for conditionally approved Global Entry applicants to complete the interview when they arrive in the United States, with no enrollment center appointment. Read our guide to Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival to see if it fits your travel plans. For the full list of no-appointment routes, see whether you need an appointment for a Global Entry interview.
Renewing NEXUS, FAST, or SENTRI
CBP says renewals for those programs "will be integrated into the pilot through a phased approach" and gives no timeline, so check your TTP account after conditional approval.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Global Entry renewal always require an interview?
No. CBP's FAQ says an interview for renewal "may not be necessary." Your TTP account shows whether you need one after you submit your renewal.
Can I renew Global Entry without going to an enrollment center?
Possibly. If an interview is not required, you do not need to go anywhere. If one is required, some renewing members who are conditionally approved can do it by video, so no trip is needed.
What if I am not offered a remote interview?
You will need another route, such as an in-person appointment or Enrollment on Arrival. Our remote interview guide explains why you might not see the remote option and what to do instead.
Can first-time applicants skip the interview?
Plan on an interview as a first-time applicant. CBP says first-time applicants are not yet eligible for the remote interview pilot, and CBP's application steps tell conditionally approved applicants to schedule an interview.
