Does a Government Shutdown Affect My Global Entry Appointment?
If you're scheduled for a Global Entry interview and just heard that the U.S. government is shutting down, you're probably wondering: Will my appointment still happen?
Here’s what we know.
Global Entry During a Government Shutdown
Global Entry is operated by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), which is part of the Department of Homeland Security. During a government shutdown, many CBP employees are considered essential workers. This means airports and border ports of entry remain open, and the Global Entry kiosks at airports continue working for international arrivals.
You’ll still be able to use Global Entry to skip the customs line if you’re already approved. But what about applying and interviewing?
Can You Still Apply for Global Entry?
1️⃣ Yes, the Global Entry application system remains open, and you can still submit a new application online. However, approval may be delayed. It’s unclear whether CBP has active staff reviewing and approving those applications during the shutdown.
2️⃣ During previous shutdowns (like 2018–2019), applications for programs like TSA PreCheck and Global Entry were still accepted, but scheduled appointments were cancelled and needed to be rescheduled by the applicant.
Will My Global Entry Interview Be Cancelled?
Most likely, yes.
Multiple users on Reddit have reported receiving emails from CBP warning them that interviews are being cancelled. Here’s what that email said:
Please be advised that in the event of a government shutdown, all external government services, to include Global Entry appointments, will be cancelled. If your appointment is cancelled because of a government shutdown, you will need to reschedule your appointment once our scheduler is reopened.
Some centers may continue operating, but the majority are likely closed or severely limited. Unfortunately, most enrollment centers do not reliably answer the phone, so confirming directly is difficult.
What Should You Do Now?
Don’t panic if your interview gets cancelled. It’s frustrating, but this has happened before. Your application will stay in the system.
Keep checking for appointments. The shutdown could end quickly, and new appointments may open suddenly. It helps to have something lined up for when services resume. The historical average length for shutdowns is about 8 days.
Stay subscribed to appointment alerts. At Global Entry Spotter, we recommend keeping your alerts active so you can be the first to grab a newly released spot when things start moving again.
If you haven't signed up for Global Entry Spotter alerts, which text you when new appointments pop up at your nearest enrollment center, you can do that here.
In Summary
➡️ Yes, you can still apply online.
➡️ Your interview will likely be cancelled.
➡️ You must reschedule your own appointment if your appointment is cancelled.
➡️ Global Entry kiosks at airports still work.
➡️ CBP officers remain on duty at ports of entry.
➡️ Keep checking for appointments just in case the shutdown ends soon.
We’ll keep monitoring the situation and updating our users. For now, hang in there, and keep your alerts running!