Only if you're renewing. CBP's Remote Interview Pilot lets some renewing Global Entry members who are conditionally approved complete their renewal interview by video call instead of visiting an enrollment center. First-time applicants are not yet eligible and must interview in person, at an enrollment center or through Enrollment on Arrival. If you qualify, a "Scheduling Your Remote Interview" link appears on your Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) dashboard.
Can Global Entry interviews be done virtually?
Yes. CBP runs a remote (virtual) interview option for Global Entry as an alternative to the traditional in-person interview at an enrollment center. Instead of driving to a CBP facility, you complete the interview over a video call with an officer from wherever you have a reliable internet connection, camera, and microphone.
The catch is eligibility. This isn't a replacement for in-person interviews: CBP runs it as a pilot for some renewing Global Entry members, and is adding renewing NEXUS, FAST and SENTRI members in phases. If you're applying for the first time, plan on an in-person interview.
Who qualifies for a remote Global Entry interview
Renewing members
If you already hold Global Entry (or another Trusted Traveler Program membership) and you're renewing, you're the group most likely to be offered a remote interview. CBP already has your fingerprints, background check history, and prior travel record on file, which reduces what an in-person interview needs to establish.
To be eligible, CBP says you must:
- Be conditionally approved for a Trusted Traveler renewal
- Be at least 18 years old
- Have a photo on file with CBP taken within the past 10 years, and after you turned 14
- Have previously submitted fingerprints to CBP
New applicants
First-time applicants are not yet eligible for remote interviews. A new enrollment needs fingerprints and a photo captured in person, so you'll interview at an enrollment center, or on your return from an international trip through Enrollment on Arrival.
How to check if you're offered one
After you submit your application and receive conditional approval, log in to your Trusted Traveler Programs account. If you're eligible, your TTP dashboard shows a "Scheduling Your Remote Interview" link. If you only see in-person options, a remote interview isn't available for your application.
How to schedule a remote Global Entry interview
Submit your Global Entry renewal application and wait for conditional approval to post to your TTP account.
Log in to your TTP account once conditionally approved and open the interview scheduling section.
Select "Scheduling Your Remote Interview" on your dashboard. If the link isn't there, you'll need to book an in-person appointment (our Global Entry enrollment center locations page can help you find one with earlier availability).
Pick a date and time and confirm the appointment through your TTP account.
Prepare your equipment and documents ahead of the scheduled time (see the checklist below).
What's different about a virtual vs. in-person interview
The substance of the interview is the same either way — an officer verifies your identity, reviews your application, and asks about your travel history. What changes is the format:
Location: you join from home or any private space with internet access instead of traveling to a CBP enrollment center.
Equipment: you're responsible for a working camera, microphone, and stable connection instead of relying on center-provided hardware.
Environment: the officer will ask you to show your surroundings are private and free of other people or distractions, similar to how any official video interview is conducted.
Fingerprints: you must already have fingerprints on file with CBP, from your original enrollment. That's why remote interviews are limited to renewals.
Length-wise, expect a remote interview to take roughly the same amount of time as an in-person one — CBP's own guidance points to about 15–20 minutes for a standard Global Entry interview, whether by video or in person.
How to prepare for your virtual Global Entry interview
Before the interview
Test your camera, microphone, and internet connection ahead of time — not five minutes before.
Have your documents within reach: a valid passport, proof of residency (such as a driver's license, mortgage or rental statement, or utility bill), and your permanent resident card if you have one. CBP holds remote interviews over Zoom for government, so use a device with a working camera and microphone.
Review your application so you can speak accurately to your travel history and personal details.
Choose a quiet, well-lit, private space free of other people and distractions.
During the interview
Do: sit somewhere with good lighting, keep your face clearly visible, and have your documents ready to show if asked.
Don't: use unsecured public Wi-Fi, wear a hat or sunglasses that obscure your face, or take the call from a busy or distracting location.
What happens after the interview
If the interview goes well, final approval is often communicated quickly, and your Global Entry membership becomes active. As with in-person interviews, an officer may need to follow up on something in your application before finalizing your approval — that isn't unique to the remote format.
Frequently asked questions
Can I do my Global Entry interview online?
Only for renewals. Some renewing members who are conditionally approved can do their interview by video through CBP's Remote Interview Pilot. First-time applicants must interview in person.
Is a virtual Global Entry interview the same as Enrollment on Arrival?
No. Enrollment on Arrival lets some conditionally-approved applicants complete their in-person interview at the airport on an international arrival, skipping a separate enrollment-center visit. A remote/virtual interview is a different program — a video call instead of an in-person visit anywhere. See our guide to Global Entry Enrollment on Arrival for how that option works.
What if I'm not offered a remote interview?
You'll need to schedule an in-person interview at an enrollment center. Wait times vary significantly by location, so it's worth comparing nearby centers rather than only checking the closest one — our enrollment center directory lists locations and typical wait times.
If you're renewing, a remote interview can save you a trip to an enrollment center. Check your TTP dashboard for the "Scheduling Your Remote Interview" link after conditional approval. If you're a first-time applicant, or the link isn't there, line up the in-person enrollment center with the shortest wait near you.
