Originally Posted by
geoflyer
I recently transitioned from NEXUS to Global Entry and I was approved without needing to schedule an interview. I called IAH to verify that, and they assured me I did not need an interview. I just came through ATL using the kiosks for the first time, and I learned a couple things.
1. If you had your biometrics done for NEXUS, and after completing the GE application you are immediately approved without an interview, you are not done!
2. The kiosks accepted my passport and fingerprints without problem, but the CBP officer at the customs area exit really wanted to see the CBP sticker in my passport that I would have received at an interview. He let me through, but advised me that in the future it would be a problem.
3. The stickers are not just trophies, they are logged out to your passport, and they are not available except during GE interview hours, according to the ATL CBP supervisor. The supervisor wanted me to return to the point that I did my NEXUS interview to get the sticker...well that was in Champlain NY, and I doubt I will be back anytime in the next 5 years. So he finally admitted that any GE interview office can do the sticker, with an appointment, so essentially, an interview.
I did the NEXUS -> GlobalEntry crossover and got instant approval, with no mention of a sticker in GOES. When I recently used GlobalEntry to enter the country, the officer made no mention of a sticker; he simply took my little receipt and let me go.
I'm still planning to get my sticker.
Note: The CBP officer who told you to return to the NEXUS enrollment center for a GlobalEntry sticker must have been misinformed. The NEXUS centers in Canadian airports are not on the list of GlobalEntry interview locations; thus, it's doubtful that the officers would be equipped to issue the stickers for a program they do not manage at those locations.
4. The kiosks are not completely up to date. I tried two, and while they accepted my flight number, neither had my departure city (MAN) on the list. But it doesn't matter! Both the CBP officers and I learned that you can put in another city (LHR in my case) and it will then spit out your little ticket. The ticket does not show the city, so no problem down the line.
I had the same thing happen when I used the kiosk when returning from BGI. The machine didn't have BGI listed, but it did have an "Other Country" option (or something similar, like "My country is not listed"), which I chose. The machine generated the printout without a problem.
So, the moral of the story is, if you are still waiting to get your NEXUS interview and you might get GE, get the sticker if possible. If you are doing a lateral into GE, give yourself a little extra time at your gateway city to drop by the office and get it, or be prepared to do some fast talking at the customs exit. Other than these hiccups, it was a sweet system, very fast.
Thanks for the advice. I think I will do so the next time I'm at ORD.