Global Entry For Indian Citizens- Process and Timelines Explained

My application for the Global Entry Program (GEP) was conditionally approved in 5 months. Therefore, in this post, I am going to answer the following questions and many more so you have everything under one roof:
  1. Is it worth applying for the Global Entry Program?
  2. Can I complete all verification procedures for the GEP while staying in the US?
  3. What is the procedure for background verification or police verification for GEP in India and how much time would it take?
  4. For how long do I have to stay in India to complete the GEP process?
  5. What are the different documents that are required at each step in the Global Entry process?
  6. How to approach the Global Entry interview at the PSK, police station and CBP?

What is the Global Entry Program (GEP)?

Global Entry is an initiative by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) that allows travelers expedited entry into the United States. GEP members proceed to Global Entry kiosks, present their machine-readable passport, place their fingerprints on the scanner for fingerprint verification and complete a customs declaration. The kiosk issues a transaction receipt and directs the traveler to baggage claims and the exit. Aside from avoiding long lines and facing harassment from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers, another benefit of the program is TSA Precheck eligibility. Once approved for Global Entry, membership is valid for 5 years.

GEP Process for Indian Citizens explained: 

 Step 1: Create an account and fill the GEP form on the CBP website here.
  • The application requires information such as employment history, addresses (I put my US address in this form), and countries visited in the last few years.
  • Within 24 hours after submitting the application form and paying the USD 100 fees, you will get an email from passportindia.gov.in with a GES/GOES ID asking you to submit an application for Background Verification for GEP.
  • Since I live in the US and I was traveling to India in the first week of October 2018, I filled all the forms closer to my travel date so that I would not miss out on the application deadlines and would be able to complete the PSK appointment during my India visit.
Step 2: Register and fill the Background Verification for GEP form on the PSK website. Pay and schedule appointment at the PSK.
  • Information on how to fill the form for background verification for GEP is available here. 
  • Steps to apply for background verification for GEP is available here. 
  • Using your GES/GOES ID, you must fill and submit the Background Check for GEP form on the PSK website. 
  • The application requires details such as passport, family, address for police verification in India and PAN card number.
  • Pay the INR 500 fees and schedule an appointment to appear for an in-person interview at the respective PSK office as per your residential jurisdiction in India (as per the address furnished on this form). The section for booking the appointment is a bit tricky as you might not easily be able to schedule an appointment for the date of your choice. By default, it will show you the earliest available appointment date and time. However, there is also an option titled "select another appointment date". In case you are unable to find this option, you can always select the default appointment date and then reschedule/change it- refer to this Youtube video or this post.
  • Applicants need to visit the PSK within 90 days of submitting this form.
  • Upon booking the appointment you will receive an appointment receipt by email. You don't need to carry the printed copy of appointment receipt. An SMS with your appointment details is also accepted as proof of appointment during your visit to PSK.
Step 3: Interview at the PSK in Mumbai.  
  • Since my residential address in India is the same as in my passport, the documents that I carried as address proof were: original current passport (with self-attested photocopy of the first two and last two pages) and Aadhar Card (with self-attested photocopy). Also, I did not have a phone with me, so I took the printed copy of appointment receipt. Note that the PSK website says that a passport is sufficient but they will surprise you by asking for another form of address proof once you have made it to their offices! If in doubt, call their offices in advance of your visit.
  • Per my residential jurisdiction, my appointment was at the Marol PSK. The interview is a 4 step process. Counter 1: Documents are checked. A paper token is issued after checking of documents. Counter A: Passport is scanned and your biometrics (photo and fingerprints) will be taken.Counter B: Verification of the document provided at Counter A. Counter C: Your eligibility for GEP is granted. At all stages, please be alert and watch the display screens where your token number will be displayed to notify you of the next counter at which your application will be processed.
  • After your interview at the PSK, you will receive an acknowledgment slip via email.
  • Within 24 hours I received an email stating that the police verification has been initiated. I also received an SMS from Mumbai Police stating that the police will visit my residence within 3-4 days after which I have to appear at the police station.
Step 4: Police Verification- How to speed up this step? 
  • A beat constable visits your home within 3-4 days, checks your documents and probably visit a neighbor to verify your residency at the specified address. After that, s/he will give you a form with the date and time of your appointment at the police station. Depending upon the workload at your local police station, your appointment date can be 7-10 days after the beat constable has completed the home visit.
  • Per my residential jurisdiction, I had to appear at the Oshiwara police station for police verification. Know your police station here. 
  • I had travel plans so I went to the police station on the very next day and requested the officer to send the constable to my residence at the earliest. The police officer was more than helpful and upon my request completed my police verification within 48 hours after the PSK interview. The officer had prior experience in conducting police verifications for GEP and hence the process was very smooth. It is not a given that all police officers will be so accomodating. This means you should expect to be at your residence in India for at least 2 weeks for steps 3 and 4. So plan your India trip accordingly.
  • Documents required for Police Clearance Certificate (PCC) vary. It is best to either call up your local police station or visit them to get a list of the documents that they accept. In my case, the documents required were: one passport size photo, Aadhar card, PAN card, society maintenance bill, electricity bill, and bank passbook. The society maintenance bill and the electricity bill is in my father’s name. His name was there in my current passport as well. In addition, he accompanied me to the police station, so that helped too.
  • After 3-4 days I received an SMS from Mumbai Police stating that my police verification was completed.
  • Now the waiting begins. You can track your application status here. 
In my case, the application status always showed the following: "GEP Verification Process has been initiated on your application. Once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No queries would be entertained in relation to your GEP application status at the Passport Offices and PSP Call Centre. You may contact CBP for further updates on the processing of your GEP application".

Step 5: Conditional approval:
  • No email notification are sent to inform you about conditional approval. The application status tracker on the CBP and passport.gov.in sites are useless. I just happened to log on to the CBP website and saw that my application had been conditionally approved on 14th March 2019. Therefore, make sure to periodically log on to the CBP website and look inside 'Notifications'. 
  • Once your application is conditionally approved, you will need to schedule an interview at one of the Global Entry Enrollment Centers that are located within the United States at ports of entry and designated CBP facilities.
The earliest interview date I got was 30 April 2019. I believe that you can also walk-in to your nearest Global Entry Enrollment Center.

Step 6: Global Entry Interview at the CBP- What to expect?
  • Documents that I carried with me for the interview were: original current passport and US driver's license.
  • The CBP officer asked me if I wanted the GEP for vacation or business travels, if my past travels were for vacation or business and if I have a Green Card. After that my photo was taken and my fingerprints were collected.
  • The CBP officer assured that my GEP was approved and my notice of approval should arrive within 24-48 hours. After that, I could use my GEP/ Known Traveller Number (KTN) immediately. The physical GEP card would be arriving in the mail within 7-10 business days after approval for Global Entry.
  • My GEP approval/ KTN arrived immediately. Again, I did not receive any email notification. I just happened to log on to the CBP website and saw it under notifications.
  • CBP recommends that if your card does not arrive after 8 weeks from your approval date then you can reach out here. Note that only Mexican nationals, Canadians and US citizens or Permanent Residents are eligible to recieve the phyisical GEP card for use at the land border crossings. This means that Indian citizens who are on visa such as H1B or H4 do not recieve the physical GEP card.
  • Also, you will not require the physical GEP card for air travels. It is only needed for travel by land.
CLEAR versus GEP: 

 GEP is a time-consuming with multiple steps, too many document requirements, and above all it requires us to go to India to appear for an in-person interview at the PSK and the police station. I did think about applying for CLEAR which is a similar program but CLEAR only includes TSA PreCheck, it does not help in bypassing passport control. Hence, I saw no value in applying for CLEAR.

Final thoughts: 

 GEP in India is mainly the police verification (CID verification) followed by other checks by different Indian Government bodies to determine if you are a low-risk/safe traveler (basically not a criminal). The process is quicker and smoother if you have the same address across all your documents (i.e., your current passport and all other required documents). Also, I would strongly suggest that you save a PDF copy of all the applications at every step. You will thank me for this later, trust me!

Useful Official Links:
  • Check your eligibility for the GEP here.
  • Watch the video about GEP by CBP here.
  • GEP process for Indian citizens is also explained on the CBP website here.
  • These Credit Cards offer Credit for the GEP/TSA-PreCheck Fees.
I hope you have liked this post. Feel free to share it and contact me if you have any questions about applying for Global Entry.

Read my next post on- Global Entry for Indian Citizens without any address proof in India.