Introduction
Are you planning an international trip and looking to streamline your travel process at Philadelphia International Airport (PHL)? The Global Entry trusted traveler program (TTP) can significantly enhance your international travel experience by streamlining the customs clearance process. In this comprehensive guide, we'll walk you through what to expect during the Global Entry interview at Philadelphia PHL and provide information on the application process, documents, parking, location, and more.
No Global Entry interviews available in Philadelphia?
Check the latest interview wait times at the Philadelphia enrollment center. Appointments open up because of cancellations & reschedules, but you have to act fast because they get booked within minutes. Want to receive real-time notifications when an appointment becomes available at Philadelphia PHL? Learn more about our notification service, which our customers have been using to quickly secure their appointments.
What is Global Entry?
Global Entry is a program by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows expedited clearance for pre-approved, low-risk travelers upon arrival in the United States. Members enter through automatic kiosks at select airports, including Philadelphia (PHL), making international travel a breeze.
Why Choose Philadelphia for Your Global Entry Interview?
Selecting the Philadelphia enrollment center for your Global Entry interview comes with several advantages:
Proximity: For residents of Philadelphia and surrounding areas, PHL provides a convenient and accessible location for the interview process. The Philadelphia enrollment location can also be a good option if you live in New York City, Baltimore, Washington D.C. or other nearby cities when you don't have interview availability in your city.
Efficiency: The Global Entry enrollment center at the Philadelphia airport is typically well-organized, ensuring a smooth and efficient interview experience.
Convenience: Completing your interview at Philadelphia PHL allows you to immediately benefit from the Global Entry program upon your next international trip.
The Global Entry Interview Process at Philadelphia airport (PHL)
Let's dive into the specifics of what you can expect during your Global Entry interview at the Philadelphia enrollment location:
Complete your Global Entry Application: the very first step in everyone's Global Entry journey is to submit your Global Entry application on the Trusted Travelers Programs (TTP) website. Your application will require basic information like job history, address history, travel history, as well as a non-refundable application fee ($100 prior to October 1st 2024, $120 after due to fee updates).
Become conditionally approved: once your application is submitted, the government will review your details. If they do not require any more information or have follow-up questions, your application will be marked as "Conditionally Approved" at which point you're allowed to schedule your interview.
Schedule Your Appointment: you will need to schedule an appointment through the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website. Ensure you choose a date and time that suits your availability. Check the latest interview wait times at the Philadelphia enrollment center.
Arrival at the Philadelphia International Airport Enrollment Center: On the day of your interview, arrive at the Philadelphia airport enrollment center, conveniently located within Terminal A (West) on Level 3. Plan to arrive a bit early to give yourself time to park and locate the office.
Required Documents: Make sure you have all the necessary documents with you, including your valid passport, the Conditional Approval letter from your TTP account, another government-issued ID, such as a driver's license, proof of residency (a utility bill or lease agreement to verify your address)
The Interview: The Global Entry interview is typically a straightforward process, lasting around 15 minutes. During the interview, a Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officer will verify your identity and cross-check the information on your application, ask you questions about your travel history and, in some cases, your criminal background (if applicable), capture your fingerprints, provide instructions on how to use the Global Entry kiosks at the airport.
Approval and Membership: If everything checks out during your interview, you'll receive approval for Global Entry. Your membership card will be mailed to you within a few weeks. Once you have your Global Entry membership, you can begin enjoying expedited customs and immigration clearance.
Does the Philadelphia Interview Location Accept Walk-Ins?
No, the Philadelphia (PHL) Global Entry enrollment center does not accept walk-ins for interviews. You must make an appointment in advance via the TTP website, or conduct your interview via Enrollment Upon Arrival.
Does Philadelphia Airport have Global Entry Enrollment Upon Arrival?
Yes, the Philadelphia (PHL) Airport Global Entry enrollment center participates in enrollment upon arrival, which allows Global Entry applicants who are conditionally approved to complete their interview upon arrival into the United States. If you are arriving on an international flight into Philadelphia International Airport, you can complete your Global Entry interview upon arrival without a scheduled appointment. Follow the signs for Global Entry Upon Arrival in the International Arrivals Terminal once you land, but note that this option is only available if you are arriving on an international flight into the Philadelphia airport.
Preparing for Your Global Entry Interview
Here are some essential tips to help you prepare for a successful Global Entry interview at the Philadelphia enrollment location:
Review Your Application: Before your interview, thoroughly review your Global Entry application to ensure all the information is accurate and up-to-date.
Arrive Early: Plan to arrive at the enrollment center a bit earlier than your scheduled appointment to accommodate any potential delays.
Required Documents: Double-check that you have all the necessary documents with you, including your passport, Conditional Approval letter, and proof of residency.
Dress Appropriately: While there's no formal dress code, it's advisable to dress neatly and professionally for your interview.
Stay Courteous: During the interview, maintain a polite and respectful demeanor with the CBP officer. Answer questions confidently and honestly.
Stay Informed: Stay updated on any changes or updates related to the Global Entry program or interview process, especially if you need to reschedule your appointment.
Where is the Philadelphia Global Entry Interview Location?
Located Inside the Airport: the Global Entry interview office at Philadelphia airport is located on Level 3 of Terminal A West, which you can reach by taking the escalators or elevators up to the third floor.
Get to Philadelphia Airport using Public Transport: PHL airport is well connected with public transportation. You can take the Southeastern Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) train line that connects downtown Philadelphia to PHL airport. The SEPTA train stops at Terminal A (East), from which you can walk to Terminal A (West) for your Global Entry interview. Check out the Philadelphia airport website for additional public transportation options, including buses, shuttles, and AMTRAK options.
Google Maps Directions: view the Philadelphia Global Entry interview office on Google Maps to get directions from your location.
Interactive Philadelphia Airport map: use the Philadelphia airport interactive map to navigate to the enrollment center when you arrive (screenshot below). Search for "Global Entry" to get the exact location within Terminal A - West.
When is the Philadelphia Global Entry interview location open?: the interview location is open from 1:00 p.m. - 8:00 p.m. on Monday-Sunday, though please note that interviews are by appointment only and the office is closed on federal holidays. You can call the Philadelphia Global Entry location using their phone number (215) 863-4287.
What is the address of the Philadelphia airport?: You can reach the Philadelphia International Airport at the address 8500 Essington Ave, Philadelphia, PA 19153.
Where to Park at Philadelphia Airport for Global Entry Interview
Which Parking Lot to Choose: you should park in the Garage A Short Term parking garage. There is an elevator bank in the westernmost corner of the garage closest to the terminal, which you should take to Level 3 for the Global Entry office. Garage A offers covered parking to keep your vehicle protected from the weather.
Reserve a Parking Spot: currently you cannot reserve parking at Philadelphia airport, however, you can check live parking spot availability on the Philadelphia Parking website.
How Much does Parking Cost: parking costs $7.00 for the first hour in the Garage A short term parking. You'll likely need 1 hour in total for your interview. Check the Philadelphia airport parking website for the most up-to-date information & pricing.
Parking Spot Availability: for more information and live parking lot availability check the Philadelphia Parking website.
Parking Contact Information: you can call the Philadelphia airport parking garage office at 215-683-9842 with any questions.
After the Interview
Once approved, you will receive your Global Entry card in the mail within a few weeks. This card will expedite your travel process, allowing you to use Global Entry kiosks at Philadelphia Airport (PHL) and other participating airports. Global Entry membership includes TSA PreCheck, further easing your travel process.
Conclusion
Completing the Global Entry interview process at the Philadelphia PHL enrollment location is an excellent choice for travelers seeking to skip wait times at customs when re-entering the country. By following the steps outlined in this guide and adequately preparing for your interview, you'll be well on your way to enjoying the benefits of hassle-free international travel. Choose PHL as your interview location, and you'll not only streamline your travel experience but also have the opportunity to explore the vibrant city of Philadelphia while you're in town. Unlock the world of seamless international travel by embarking on your Global Entry journey today.
No Global Entry interviews available in Philadelphia?
Check the latest interview wait times at the Philadelphia enrollment center. Philadelphia is a high-demand airport for Global Entry interviews, and is often booked out 6+ months straight. While there tends to be limited availability, there are frequent cancellations meaning slots do open up at shorter notice. In order to take advantage of these cancellations, you can either closely track the TTP website for availability, but please note that often the cancellations slots become booked within 1-2 minutes, so this approach may be impractical. The alternative is to use an automated alert system, such as our service Global Entry Tracker, which will send you real-time emails for when there is availability at the Philadelphia International Airport interview location. You can select up to three locations to track and select a desired date range so that you only get notified when a closer appointment date opens up. Learn more about our service and contact us if you need help securing your appointment.