Conditional approval, explained

Updated October 25, 2026. General information from the official program pages at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov and cbp.gov; rules change, so confirm there.

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A Global Entry application has two halves. First CBP reviews your application and runs background checks. If that review passes, your status changes to conditionally approved. The second half is the in-person interview, where an officer confirms your identity and documents and makes the final decision.

What the status means

Conditional approval means the background review is complete and you are invited to the interview. It is not membership yet: you cannot use Global Entry lanes or a Known Traveler Number until an officer approves you at the interview. A small number of applicants are not conditionally approved; the notice in your account explains how to respond or appeal.

How to check it

Sign in at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Your dashboard shows the application status and, once conditionally approved, the option to schedule the interview. CBP also emails you when the status changes, so keep the address in your account current.

How long it lasts

Conditional approval is valid for a fixed window, stated in your approval notice and on the official site. You must complete the interview within that window, either at a scheduled appointment or through Enrollment on Arrival. If it lapses, you would need to apply again, including the fee.

How long the wait is

Processing times vary a great deal by applicant and by season. CBP publishes a current estimate on its program pages, and the dashboard shows the date your application was received. The wait for a decision and the wait for an interview slot are separate: a decision can come quickly while the nearest interview date is months away, or the other way round.

What to do once you are conditionally approved

1. Schedule the interview at any enrollment center, not only the one you picked when you applied. The soonest-slots list shows the nearest open date at every center.
2. If you have an international trip coming up, consider finishing the interview at the airport through Enrollment on Arrival instead.
3. Gather the documents: see what to bring.
4. If the first date you could get is far away, keep it and watch for an earlier one. Cancellations open at random and vanish within minutes; the app alerts you the moment one appears.