Originally Posted by
roulette
My wife and I just applied for GE. We have our interview at ATL on Aug 5th. I am reading recent posts about people who are in GE but are applying for the GE card on GOES. What is the difference? What does the card do that general GE membership does not? Do I need to request a card while at the interview? I am confused!!
Up until very recently GE was a no-card program. The kiosks identify you by your passport and biometrics. I want to say that within the last month, CBP started issuing cards to folks whose GE applications were approved. It's my understanding that GE members can use this for NEXUS immigration when returning from Canada, whereas before GE users didn't enjoy any special benefits on those trans-border flights.
The reason you're hearing about people applying for the cards now is because people who were authorized into the GE program before they started issuing cards aren't going to automatically receive cards. So they have to pay a $15 application fee to have them issued. One might do this if they travel back and forth to Canada enough to make the $15 expenditure worthwhile. Also, I think there is some speculation that the cards might be necessary when the TSA trusted traveler program starts its roll-out later this year, since supposedly GE, SENTRI, and NEXUS members will be able to opt into the program.
If you and your wife just applied, you will both get cards automatically if you are both approved.