SFO Availablity
 

Was conditionally approved yesterday. Checked SFO appointments and the earliest was 28 Dec 2016. That was yesterday. Today its 2 Jan 2017.

Will keep checking but clearly even running 24/7 for 60 days seems to made little difference. :(

Lock in 1st available, then keep checking for earlier, but once you have one scheduled, there's nothing keeping you from going there for a walk-in (keep an eye on separate walk-in thread).

Finally approved earlier this morning, and I grabbed an appointment in September at DFW since I don't have international travel planned until the end of the year.

I did see quite a few slots at DFW next week for those who are looking.

If your birthday is after your appointment date and before your travel date, reschedule your appointment a day after your birthday. Your Global Entry will be valid for six years minus one day instead of 5 years from your next birthday..

Interesting! Thanks for that. I'll have to check what's available then.

You are welcome. Make your appintment ASAP.

FYI

From the Global Entry - processing time thread:

Got Lucky. Was going to be in SJ/Bay Area this Saturday night/SUnday. So booked hotel near SFO. Went in @ 1920 and saw sign saying they do up to 6 walk-in "a day". I also saw several people seeming to be waiting, so left. ($2 parking fee). Decided I would come back later in evening. Got there at 2255, no on sitting in chair, 1 person was just going in, waited a few mins CBP officer came out ask if had appointment. Said I did not, but hoping for walk in. Said they already did their 6, but there would be SHIFT CHANGE at 0001 (i.e. midnight) and may be able to get in then. Later another officer said the same. Several other folks showed up and got it during or before their appointment. At 2340 first officer came out again looking for scheduled appointments. When there was none he said, come on in! 10 mins or so later was done.

At the time there was 3 on shift. And just as I left one just came in (starting his shift I guess) There was 1 person that got there about 15 mins after I did and was waiting for the new shift.

So they CAN do more than 6 (I saw the clip board that shows the names) and it actually had something like 8 entries on it, which I assume was what they did that shift already, not including me. I guess just have to be nice and hope they are having a good day and might get in even if they have done 6 that shift. Also I think its helpful to be there just BEFORE the new shift comes in (at least seems to be on this weekend crew)

Good luck to all

Submitted Form on Web: 13
Conditional Approval: 6 Jul (earliest schedule available on that day was 29 Dec)
Approved in person: Saturday, 9 Jul

PS also guess I was really lucky cuz I didn't bring the Conditional Approval Notification letter. Just the schedule letter, but lucky was able to find me with my Passport. But they really need that 9 digit number in the letter.

Probably for walkins they need that number. I did not have a walk in and brought the letter. They never asked for it - Just ID.

Glad you got in!

I was approved last week. I live in Western MA, so the closest interview spots are Logan and JFK. The next available interviews in Logan were November (unless I took a work day off-and there were only a few of those). As my overseas trip is near the end of October, I checked JFK and found a spot September 10 at 4pm. There were interview spots early from 7-8:30 am, but as I am taking the train in, that was not going to work. So I signed up for that, and tried to find some sort of reasonable hotel in New York near Penn Station. IHG is having their 15% points and cash sale, so I snagged a room at Staybridge suites for a low cash payment and some points.

this is very promising thank you. So it sounds like you suggest that walk-ins should arrive around 2330?

mdosu, if I were you, I would spend more time finding a close in appointment by doing more searches manually or with a plug in/script. SFO is currently open 24/7, you have an excellent chance of finding an earlier appointment instead of trying your luck as a walk in.

Dumb question, but how do you do more searches with a plug in/script?

No question is dumb.:)

I am not tech savvy, I do not know how to use a plug-in/script. I am sure someone else can chime in and help you.

I did it the old fashioned way by doing new manual searches constantly; like every 5 minutes or so. I was able to find something close-in (interview date in less than one week) in less than 48 hours. That was 3 years ago for SFO. Now many Global Entry offices are open longer hours; SFO is open 24/7 until 21 Aug 2016.

These scripts are discussed in the Global Entry - processing time thread:
Please continue the scripts discussion there.

Thank you,

TWA884
Co-moderator, Travel Safety/Security