Dulles International airport will offer Global Entry interviews for same day departures

Washington, D.C.'s Dulles International Airport announced some great news on Monday. They will be the first airport to offer Global Entry interviews for travelers departing the U.S. for international flights.

When you travel internationally, you must clear U.S. Customs before being allowed back into the U.S. Depending on how many people are on your plane and how many other flights are arriving at the same time, these lines can be extremely long. One way to reduce your wait time and get through Customs quickly is by signing up for Global Entry. It includes TSA Precheck which speeds up security screenings for flights departing from U.S. airports for domestic flights.

This new program will allow you to enroll daily from 12-8pm in Global Entry offices located in Terminal B before your international flight departure. To qualify, travelers must have been conditionally approved for Global Entry and be at the final step of the application process, which is completing an in-person interview. 

Here is what you need to do to get conditionally approved:

1. Create an account on https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs

2. Complete the application and pay the $100 non-refundable fee 

3. Schedule an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center (this usually takes week and even months to get an appointment)

4. Complete the application process with an in-person interview (You are required to bring your passport and one other form of identification and have your fingerprints taken)

It can take several months to get an interview so this is a great service if you can benefit from it.   

For now Dulles is the only airport offering this service but travelers can continue participating in Enrollment on Arrival, which allows conditionally approved applicants to complete the Global Entry enrollment interview as part of the immigration process at the airport upon returning back to the U.S. from abroad.

Enrollment on Arrival is currently available at more than 60 airports globally. Check airports near you to see if they offer this service.