For the frequent traveler, International Entry has lengthy been a golden ticket to expedited re-entry into america. However for all its time-saving perks, the vital step of being accepted into this system may be some of the irritating facets of journey—as a result of securing an interview appointment is notoriously tough, with restricted availability and infrequently months-long ready instances.
Nonetheless, becoming a member of International Entry simply turned somewhat simpler for conditionally permitted International Entry candidates. U.S. Customs and Border Safety (CBP) not too long ago added a second location, Miami Worldwide Airport (MIA), to its Enrollment on Departure program, which permits eligible vacationers to do their interview on the airport earlier than boarding their home or worldwide flight.
MIA joins Washington, D.C.’s Dulles Worldwide Airport in this system, which launched in February 2024.
“This program eliminates the necessity for [Global Entry] candidates to schedule an interview at an enrollment middle, streamlining the [Global Entry] software course of,” states CBP on its web site. It additionally notes that vacationers can comply with signage inside the airport to the Enrollment on Departure workplace, the place a CBP officer will conduct an interview—no appointment wanted, which is a big profit to vacationers.
Miami’s new Enrollment on Departure space is on the second flooring of Concourse J, reverse the Lufthansa check-in counter. It’s open from 8 a.m. to six p.m., Monday by means of Saturday.
The service is simply obtainable to vacationers who’ve been “conditionally permitted,” which means they’ve cleared the preliminary background test and have been notified that they’re eligible for this system. Vacationers additionally have to carry a sound passport, paperwork that show residence (akin to a driver’s license with a present handle, mortgage assertion, rental cost assertion, or utility invoice), a everlasting resident card (if relevant), and a same-day boarding move. Minors don’t require proof of residency.
Though interviews usually take about quarter-hour—sufficient time for officers to ask some questions and take your picture and fingerprints—it’s a good suggestion to depart ample time, particularly if there’s a line or your flight is slated to depart from a special space of the airport.
For vacationers who aren’t flying from Miami or Dulles, there’s the choice of International Entry’s Enrollment on Arrival, which operates identical to Enrollment on Departure however permits conditionally permitted vacationers to wrap up their interviews after touchdown within the USA on a world flight. Launched in 2008, this system is presently obtainable in 51 U.S. airports.
For individuals who fly internationally not less than a couple of instances a yr, International Entry’s numerous perks—expedited re-entry into the U.S. and complimentary entry to TSA PreCheck, which generally means shorter wait instances at airport safety—make it a useful device for smoother touring. At the moment, International Entry membership prices $120 for 5 years. Nonetheless, many travel-focused bank cards, such because the Capital One Enterprise X and the Chase Sapphire Reserve, cowl the payment as a cardholder perk.