Global Entry approval happens in two distinct stages, and the online application is only the first — you're not actually enrolled until you clear an in-person interview afterward. * Getting started requires a Login.gov account, since that's now the identity verification system behind the Trusted Traveler Programs portal. From there, you complete the application and pay the $120 nonrefundable fee, which covers the background check whether or not you're ultimately approved. * CBP reviews every application and issues one of three outcomes: conditional approval, denial, or a referral for manual review that takes longer. About 80% of applicants get a decision within two weeks, though CBP notes some applications can take up to a year or longer, particularly if manual review is triggered. * Conditional approval isn't the finish line — it just unlocks the next step: scheduling an interview at a Global Entry Enrollment Center. At the interview, an officer verifies your passport and a secondary ID, takes your fingerprints digitally, snaps a quick photo for your Global Entry card, and may ask questions about your travel history or background. The whole appointment typically takes just a few minutes. * There's a faster alternative for some applicants: Enrollment on Arrival lets conditionally approved travelers complete their interview right when they land at certain international airports, skipping the need to book a separate appointment beforehand entirely.