Last week, we confirmed that India had formally joined the Global Entry program offered by the US Customs and Border Protection. This has been a process that has been ongoing since 2015, and only in 2016 did the formal Memorandum of Understanding get signed on. India becomes the 11th country to have access to the Global Entry program.
With this program, pre-approved, low-risk travellers from the country will be able to get accelerated clearance to the US borders, by allowing people to access through automated kiosks rather than queuing up to meet an immigration officer. Of course, you need to have a valid passport and American Visa before you can think of applying for Global Entry. Global Entry is currently available at 53 US airports and 15 pre-clearance locations.
Here is the process notified for Indian citizens to join the Global Entry program.
Apparently the Indian ambassador to the US already signed up. So the system is live and working. I’m now looking for data points on how to sign up and complete the interview.
How many of you are applying to Global Entry and going to the USA without having to queue up anymore?
Hi,
I completed my police verification in November 2020, haven’t heard back or there is no status update. Seeing the following status from 6 months.
“GEP Verification Process has been initiated on your application. Once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)”
When I enquired few days back to CBP and they said it is pending from PSK, once they receive the approval on application they will process it.
How can I get more update on this? Is there anyone I can reach out in PSK?
Thanks,
Rashmi
It takes 12 months as CBP needs to get approval of about close 18 different agencies in india like MHA , Minnesota of Finance etc to get verification of credibility including taxes before it is passed on to CBP if approved or rejected and later CBP sends communication to fix the final appointment with them .
It took me 12 months when I applied in 2018 July 4th.
What is the GES application date ?
I just applied – how soon after application can we go to PSK to get the Indian verification process started?
Hi
I applied for the GEP on 26/04/2018 and still waiting for input for MEA to US Customs & Border Protection Agency. I enquired few days back to CBP and they said it is pending from your own country; once they receive the details they will process it asap.
Thats weird that our passport seva kendra’s doens’t allow us to ask for the status. Dont know what to do… where to approach???
Dear nimesh,
Please be patient. It takes,a year to receive clearance as all applications have to be s seemed by Min of Fin and Min of Home, after police verification and RPO.
RPO does not reply because the status is not known to them and also CBP has put in a guideline and no agency gives update.
If you are approved you will get the conditional approval mail only from CBP as MEA sends the results of the process to CBP only as our primary application is with CBP.
My application dated 4th July 2017 got conditional approval in June 2018.
All the best.
Submitted my application on July 25th. Following are the different status for my application.
Status 1: Police verification has been initiated. Police verification completed in August 1st week.
Status 2: Your application is under review at Regional Passport office.
Latest Status: GEP Verification Process has been initiated on your application. Once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No queries would be entertained in relation to your GEP application status at the Passport Offices and PSP Call Centre. You may contact CBP for further updates on the processing of your GEP application.
I am not sure whether the latest status is a step forward or back 🙁 Can some one guide on this? Is anyone seeing this status?
I am also done. Interview was good. Got membership approved. Being resident of India with just a USA Tourist Visa I am among very first to get approved.
Anyone got lucky with process completion ? I do not see any promising update from RPO even after continuous follow-ups.
People on Flyertalk.com were reporting their first RPO clearances this week, some 5 months after initial application
Thanks Jay, I have checked in flyertalk and it seems 2-3 people got the conditional approval.
I am lucky to get conditional approval. Now Interview remain
I applied this for my mother. She finally got an email that the application is now conditionally approved and she needs to schedule an interview. But there is NO change in passportinida.gov.in application status.
aeric, when did you apply for your mother ? could you share the timelines of the process, also did the status change in passportindia portal from background process initiation to completed?
I am done with the complete process. My GEP is approved and received TSA Pre as well :-). Interview was very smooth and it got finished in less than 5 minutes.
Hi, I filled my application via Ttp website (now GOES gets directly to ttp). I did not received any email from Indian passport office, it’s been more than 48 hours. Tried calling the passport office but did not get any information. What can I do now to schedule the interview. I do not have the needed GES id
HI,
I have the same case, I did not receive the email yet and its been more than a week now after applied in the TTP website and making the payment of $100.
Did you receive the email eventually?
I know this is an old thread. i have applied on TTP website more than month ago and no email with GES/GOES ID from passport seva.
What you guys did? When did you received the email? I have been using the application ID for my background check submission on indian website. It’s not accepting the application ID for GES/GOES ID.
hey guys,
I did not get an email from PSK either. I submitted my application on 01/24/2021. Let me know if and when you guys get it.
Same situation here. Applied on Jan 6th.
Any updates on what happened after applying on TTP website? How did you proceed?
Any luck with this. I am facing the same issue.
Any luck guys? Even i submitted application more than week back, but still no email. Pls reply
My application status on the PSK portal recently changed from, “GEP Process has been initiated…” to “Application is under review at Regional Passport Office.” I was wondering if your application status has changed at all? My application “received” date is 08/08/2017. I can’t figure out if this is a step backwards or forwards. If anyone is sure, or has had a similar change. Please let me know!
Just sharing the latest update with all those awaiting information on their Global Entry (GEP ) processing for Indian passports. My application is dated 2nd July 2017 and RPO processing completed for police verification on 4th July 2017. Subsequent to follow ups with MEA , RPO etc i was assured on 14th Aug from RPO that they await clearance from Min of Fin and Min of Home Affairs and if no clarity in 30 days RPO will process it top USA CBP. On completion of the 30 day period on 15th Sept i followed up with RPO . I received information that there are back end issues at MHA and MOF hence the GEP processing will take more time and no assurance of timeline till it is resolved. Hence i am awaiting for the same and could take next couple of weeks or months.
Thanks for sharing, Surendran
So in short… this will be like any other govt office the files will be there for ever.
No i will not say like govt office but the IT dept needs to get the integration in place. Moreover i am told that MHA is setting up a Criminal Tracking Network so they may be putting data in place. In any case being the first batch for GOES we need to wait as we have no choice.
I completed two steps. 1. Filling the GOES application 2. Visiting PSK and getting background verification done. The status on Passport site says “Police Clearance certificate issued”. Does it automatically change to “Verification with other govt bodies” or do I need to follow up Cuz im worried they handled my application like any other PCC application !!
Any Update on your case?
Very few may be one or two had the message “Police Clearance Issued” instead of “GEP Verification Process has been initiated … “
Latest update from RPO is that there are teething issues in integrating Min of Fin and Min of Home Affairs for clearance of GEP. I am told it may take more time and no assurance of timeline. Hence no choice but we need to wait though.. Maybe few more weeks or months ..
Does one have to leave behind the current passport at PSK for further processing after background verification or it is handed back to the individual after the biometrics etc. What exactly happens when one goes to PSK in India for GEP?
VK
I have paid $100 to start the CBP program and also registered on PSK portal. My issue is that I cannot find the link to apply for background verification. Where on the PSK portal is that link? I am super frustrated! 😀
http://passportindia.gov.in/AppOnlineProject/online/gepOnlineApp
Try this link. I still await clearance from RPO to take this further with US CBP. Its over 7 weeks now.
Application ID is not the one on GOES-CBP website, you have to wait for the GEP ID from passportindia.gov.in website. this email is sent out with 24Hrs of the payment around midnight.
Yes they are 2 different ids .
Surendran – thank you for your response. The link you shared shows me the online form submission steps. There is this step (pasted below) but where is link to the form? 🙁
Step 3 Click “Apply for Background Verification for GEP” link.
were you able to resolve the issue with the linl
How did your police verification in India go? Were you physically present to complete the verification?
Yes they visited home ot was all done in 15 mts no issues
Has the status changed now ? in Ocotober ?
no change , still pending clearances from Min of Fin and Min of Home Affairs
Anyone Any Update?
None… still on “GEP Verification Process has been initiated on your application. Once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs”
Hmm.. I had my passport office interview and police verification completed in the last week of July.. not update after that.
Applied for GOES On 2nd July got a mail on same day from RPO applied for GEP and attended interview on 4th July completed the interview, biometric and also finished police verification on same day. The police verification uploaded to RPO on same day and my part was done.
Waited from then on for 3weeks as GOES site says processing time is 2-3weeks to get either a preapproval or decline. Kept checking on RPO website the tracking showed “Police verification on my application initiated”. The status was same till 30th July from 4th July onwards. CBO site on my ID was showing “Pending Review”
Repeated Mails to CBP was sent and I got a mail saying that the Gov’t Of India clearance is awaited and till then the applied is pending review. I was told apart from police other governmental agencies clearance was needed before GOES site is updated.
Followed up with MEA, Jt Sect MEA,RPO, and even PMO office to chk on the lack of timelines for processing .After repeated follow UPS, mails, tweets the RPO web site changed status on 30th July afternoon to “YOUR GEP APPLICATION ……..” mentioning that they await other governmental agencies clearance.
I kept following and still continue to check and just asked for the indicative timeline to be put up on the RPO website for GEP processing.
As on today no change of status and I await updates from GOES as and when things move.
Hence I can say that as of now it could be few more weeks of waiting..
Still sending tweets to MEA,jtSecy MEA and CPV to obtain some guideline for wait time and hope to get some response.
Yes you are right and your follow up is on proper track. Most of the applicants like us reached to a level where Passport kendra states that “once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No queries would be entertained in relation to your GEP application status at the Passport Offices and PSP Call Centre. You may contact CBP for further updates on the processing of your GEP application”.
Now this is the stage till we can work after this we dont know when will the reports will be submitted to US CBP. Once our Govt. submit the report to CBP USA and the report is clear and satisfactory than they will scheduled an interview for us anywhere either in USA or Qatar and we can rescheduled and select the location. Finally interview will decide the result however the issue is that we dont know HOW MUCH time Govt Authorities of India will take? Mainly there should be a Time Frame to send the report to US CBP and this is what we wish to know.
Thanks Surendran, my application status says “Police Clearance certificate issued” Can you share the email addresses of contacts you followed up with as it seems the PSK has messed up my application and stopped at issuing PCC and not forwarded it to the govt agencies that it needs to go to. Help appreciated. Thanks!
hi
if you have applied by choosing the link as GEP in RPO web site you will not have any issues as it captures your GOES id and forwards automatically to the next step if any.The GEP application itself will have a unique file id which would have alphabets “GE” in between alphanumerical series.Check out on this.
If you have applied for GEP and status is police verification certificate issues, its a surprise as all applicants for GOES need to go through GEP in India, attend personal interview in PSK or RPO and further the verification is to be vetted by Min of Fin and MHA for clearing their approvals too.
You should actually see in the RPO tracking status the following
” GEP Verification Process has been initiated on your application. Once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No queries would be entertained in relation to your GEP application status at the Passport Offices and PSK Call Centre. You may contact CBP for further updates on the processing of your GEP application.”
If you do not see the above status then there are 2 possibilities, either you have applied or the processing has ben done as a regular PCC ( police clearance certificate) or your case may not be referred to MIn of Fin and MHA. However the later is a remote possibility as all cases have to go through Police, Min of Fin and MHA before uploading the approval to CBP USA.
My advise send tweet and mails to the RPO you applied and then send mails and tweets to MEA, Union Min of Ext Affairs SMt Sushma Swaraji ji and those who wish can apply at the Public Grievances portal of the Prime Minister which will be routed to the respective Ministry Jt Secretary and will move downwards officially and you can be rest assured of a reply in 7 to 10 days and track the online status too.
Public grievances portal of PMO
http://pgportal.gov.in/
MEA contacts
Union Minister of Ext Affairs
eam@mea.gov.in
Director MEA
diream@mea.gov.in
Apart from the above send mail to the relevant RPO you have applied.
Send tweets to the twitter handles of Sushmaswaray, CTOpassport Mr Golok Kumar Simli, Jt Secy MEA Mr Arun Chatterji
Ensure you quote your file no of the GEP in all correspondences for easy tracking.
Hope this helps.
My case is still pending although i applied on 2nd July 2017 hence i can foresee similar timelines for all.
all the best
surendran
So,
On Jul 16, 2017, I did my initial application with GOES. My status changed to Pending Review.
On Jul 23, 2017, I received an email from Passport India
On Jul 24, 2017, I booked an appointment with a PSK in Chennai
On Jul 25, 2017, I went to the PSK, was a slow three-stage process. They gave me a sheet that said ‘Granted’ but subject to police verification
On Jul 26, 2017, a policeman came home
On Jul 28, 2017, status changed to GEP Verification Process has been initiated on your application. Once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No queries would be entertained in relation to your GEP application status at the Passport Offices and PSP Call Centre. You may contact CBP for further updates on the processing of your GEP application.
Now – waiting. I called up the call centre, and they told me that my status was pending with the Commissioner of Police, Chennai Circle. They asked me to call up the RPO, Chennai on Monday. Let’s see.
Just tooooo slowwwwww…
Any update on your case?
No…. still says the same thing. Weird. It looks they didn’t have a working process.
Yet no revert i think India is slow in sending report to USA
Hope you have seen my update. The applications are being scrutinised and to be cleared by Min of Fin and Min of Home toomi presume GOI maybe looking at reciprocal arrangements in the future so back end integration must be happening between RPO and Min of Fin and Min of Home. In the case of RPO and Police verification process i think the backend was established few years ago. Wish GOI had tied up loose ends before hurriedly announcing GEP. No choice qe have to wait as all my chading and follow up had a response that my application if 4th july 2017 at RPO has been forwarded to MOF and MHA only on 14th aug and they need 1 month for response from them
The Following comes status on Passport Website once Police Verification is done.
GEP Verification Process has been initiated on your application. Once inputs from all the concerned Government Authorities are received, the Report will be shared with U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). No queries would be entertained in relation to your GEP application status at the Passport Offices and PSP Call Centre. You may contact CBP for further updates on the processing of your GEP application.
Anyone passed this stage? My application says the same.
How long have you had this status like this for?
for more than a week.
We will keep updating and let see who gets the Global Entry Card 1st in India after the Ambassador
Just checked the status and its shows the same as you mentioned above. So, have to wait and see how long it take from now until I hear from CBP.
This is a looooonnnggggg Process. Ugh!
I have successfully conpketes GEP application with US by paying $100 and same day received PSK email submitted documents to Passport Office in India. Police Verification started and completed. Passport office changed status that my application verifocation initiated and the report will be sent to US Border once get report from all Govt Aithoriies in India. No furthet inquiry will be entertained by Passport Office on the application and applicant can approach GOES CBP USA for their application status. That means my application processed by Passport Seva Kendra. Police report cleared and now they will have to get few more reports from different indian govt. Authorities once they complete they will forwards report to CBP USA. Once CBP receive a CLEAR report they will ask us to scheduled interview either in Qatar or any State of USA. Now how much time it would take is not known but the process is smoothly going on. Do any1 knows email id for GOES i need to add some more information on my new travel history to USA.
Did you need to submit and was your passport withheld by the police while this background verification was in progress? I would like to apply, but given the usual short duration of stay in India, I’m hesitant to submit and get my passport stuck somewhere in a police station.
Here is what I have done. I went to India just for a 4 day trip. I scheduled the visit to Passport office on my day 2 in India. The very next day you get an SMS mentioning the police officer name and his phone number who will be doing the inspection. I contacted him and mentioned that I would like to finish the verification asap. He was kind enough to come to my home after an hour and finished verification. It took about 15 min and you are required to physically be present at the address you provided. You need to sign certain documents and your signature has to match. The officer sent back the documents to PSK the same day (on-line process) and you just sit back and relax for 3 weeks until your status changes.
No one in this whole process is going to hold on to your passport. It will be always be with you!! So, don’t worry about the passport being stuck with police.
no need to submit the passport
I went to the passport office and submitted the documents almost 3 weeks back. The police came to my place the next day to verify and sent the documents to PSK. But, the status on my PSK account still shows the police verification has started. It has not changed since then.
What does your status on PSK account clearly say and how long did it take for them to change the status? Please let us know.
Thanks!
GES Application ID seems to be different from GOES Application ID, Anyone know how long it takes for the GES Application ID to be created after submitting the GOES Application?
Thanks for All your Replies.
It has been more than 24 hrs i paid for my GOES application but i haven’t received my PSK email yet. I tried entering my 8 digit GOES ID but PSK website says “Entered GES Application ID is invalid or not available with Passport Seva System.” Contacted PSK Customer service but not luck.
What is the average time it takes for the PSK email to show up?
GES Application ID is the same as “Application ID” on GOES Portal?
Thanks,
Sri.
Hi did anybody contact Indian embassy regarding not being physically present in India for Police verification?
Yes, and they had no clue. The guy I talked to said it Global Entry does not apply to Indians who are already in the US :).
Will try again sometime next week
i send an email to San Francisco Consulate but no response yet.
I have already applied and created a GOES account. I got an email stating I need to register with Passport Seva, so I did. Now, when I go in to apply for the ‘Background Verification for GEP’ form, it asks for me to enter in my GOES Application ID Number. However, I keep getting an error message saying the GOES Application ID number is invalid or not yet processed. I submitted my GOES application on June 26 (today is July 12).
Is anybody else having this problem? I’ve already emailed and tried calling Passport Seva and have had no help.
Same issue here, did it get resolved for you. I have tried putting the application number from the goes website but it does not work.
I am having the same issue. Any luck on your end to resolve this?
You must have got the GES ID number in the email you received from Passport Seva Communication Team. It is different from GOES ID and cant be seen anywhere on GOES account.
I applied it today GOES and paid 100$ and got email from Indianpassport seva kendra need to register with GOES given number , I have registerd the passportinda.gov.in filled the applicaiton while submit application it asking me to attend for the interview in india then I stopped the submitting application,
I can not go inida to attend interview ,I think i am going ask for the refund from CBP , I will send an email
Thanks
The cbp website since July 7 has clearly indicated that you will need to do an in person police verification in India. The people who requested and received refunds here all applied on or before July 6, when this requirement was not disclosed on the application page. So if you applied after July 6 you won’t get a refund as there is no basis to do so.
I have applied on the 6th I should get refund for it let see..
if they are not refund how long the the payment is valid , can it be valid unitl i go india and attend the in person interview and come back and schedu the interveiw with CBP?
I contacted CBP and they replied that the application is valid for one year.
The application is valid for a year. Don’t worry about it.
Can u pls provide the link on CBP which says the same ?
Right on the main page for Indian citizens
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-traveler-programs/global-entry/international-arrangements/global-entry-indian-citizens
Do we have to go to India for interview?
Can you please share the page where you saw this information posted. Thank you
@AS as of now that is the process set out. I’d expect it to move to Embassies and consular outposts at some point of time as well.
I have the same issue,
Since i have given US address for GOES application ,
I was trying to put the same USA address in the passportinda.gov
But it did not allowed,
It is asking for Indian address which is meaning less
i am waiting response from US consulate as how to proceed
Where can I find GES ID to input in PSK website?
Use the ID that was sent to you in the email with instructions
What email are you referring to? I am having the same GES id problem and don’t have an email from PSK with the GES application id. Any help would be much appreciated.
Did you ever got that so called email from PSK with GES/GOES ID.
I have applied more than a month ago on TTP website, still i haven’t received any email. Contacted Embassy, VFS.. no help at all.
I am in exactly the same situation, filled and submitted application on CBP portal on Jan 6th, havent received any email with GOES ID yet. Unable to use the Application Id from CBP Portal .. so stuck.
hey did you get any update on this? I haven’t received the GOES/GES ID either for background verification.
hey did you get any update on this? I haven’t received the GOES/GES ID either for background verification.
Where can I find GES ID to input in PSK?
I live in India, applied for gep on Friday(7th), got an appointment with rpo/passport office today (11). Application is now pending with local police station for physical verification!
I am in the same boat. I went to rpo today. Do I have to be present physically at the address provided when the police come for verification? Because, I am afraid I wont be at physical address since I leave for US in 2 days.
What documents you needed in passport office.. can you pls. confirm
It is befuddling how / why GOI needs those presently residing in the US to visit India for an additional interview (and fingerprinting).
I created an account on SEVA (after GOES application) and am held up on the address page since (like most you on this portal) I presently live in the US, but they’re asking for police verification which is likely tied to an Indian residential address.
Next step question: Are most people “stuck” on this page? Is GOI expecting us to input the Indian residential address irrespective of where we’re currently residing?
I’m wondering whether the best strategy right now is to “wait and watch” – here’s hoping S. Swaraj comes to the rescue (as always!)
Send an email to https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask. Usually someone from CBP emails you back in a day.
Stuck in the same boat. Were you able to resolve this issue?
Exactly in the same boat.
India is the only country creating pain to its citizens and expecting additional application money and a trip to India for a process ( background and finger printing) that they have already conducted while issuing India passports
Sent a tweet to the External Affairs Minister Sushma Swaraj. She is known to take notice of tweets – maybe she might do something?
@SushmaSwaraj why must NRIs visit India to apply for US Global Entry Program? Please empower overseas consulates to do needful vetting.
https://twitter.com/earthyfool/status/883167733944262656
Tweet at Sushma Swaraj. Maybe it will have an impact. Or Retweet mine:
https://twitter.com/earthyfool/status/883167733944262656
Did you get any response?
If you are not planning to go to India in near future and also paid a $100 application fee before July 6th 2017, then please send an email to CBP Info Center with your Membership Number/PASSID for a full refund. I sent an email to them and below is their response.
Thank you for contacting the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Information Center.
The Government of India (GOI) recently informed us of their new requirement to have Indian nationals applying to Global Entry go to India for an interview. As this was not previously disclosed to us or our applicants, we are offering full refunds for anyone that applied before July 6, 2017 who cannot fulfill the GOI terms. We apologize for this, but this is not a U.S. Government requirement but rather the GOI.
Please reply to this email with the PASSID/membership number and we will send the request to process the refund.
Venkat
Got the same email from them. I sent them my application number, Pass ID. Any idea when they initiate the refund?
Hi Venkat, Can you please help me? what is the CBP mail ID? We submitted 2 application. Thanks Krishna
Hi Krishna,
I used https://help.cbp.gov/app/ask for requesting the refund.
Venkat
Global Entry page for Indian Citizens was updated today to reflect the need for an in person visit to a Passport Seva office in India. I suggest the screenshots on this page be updated to reflect that.
“After completion of step ‘1’ applicants need to submit the requisite information, along with the applicable fee of ₹500, in the Passport Seva Portal, http://www.passportindia.gov.in for their background check in India. In addition to this, all Indian applicants must schedule an in-person interview at the respective Passport Seva Kendra/Passport Seva Laghu Kendra (PSK/PSLK) office as per their residential jurisdiction in India (as per the address furnished online). During the interview, Indian citizens will have their fingerprints and photo captured and complete other formalities. A visit to the PSK/PSLK is based on prior appointment only.
If the applicant is not presently living in India, it is recommended that they apply for Global Entry prior to their next trip to India so that the appointment at the PSK/PSLK office can be completed during their visit.”
I got as far as initiating a GES background check verification on the passport seva website. I just don’t know what to enter as present address because it isn’t letting me enter a US address. If you’ve figured out how this works, post your solution here.
Hi, did it accept your GEP Application ID in PKS ?
I am in same boat (received an email from India passport service)
Same as the other folks have said. I applied yesterday, got an email from the Indian passport office to fill out a form/create an account for a background verification. Haven’t submitted it yet as it seems to me there is no way to enter a US address. Will go to the embassy here in DC on Friday so see what they have to say.
Hi
Did you get a chance to visit the embassy ? What did they say regarding background check ?
Abhishek
Any luck with the DC Embassy ?
This may be a prelude to India launching their own trusted traveler program.
I can’t find link, but I recall a senior CBP official talking about how they hope to help build a network of interconnected trusted traveler programs around the world, and that these international arrangements with other countries are always reciprocal, i.e US Citizen members of Global Entry would be allowed access to the other country’s trusted traveler program, as they are in Germany, UK, Panama et al. The original press releases from back in 2013 when this initiative with India was first announced indicated that India was working on a trusted traveler program of their own, perhaps in consultation with the US in order to determine best practices. Testing out the background check and verification methods with Global Entry first might be a dry run before unveiling their own program that would potentially cover one billion people.
Hi
You are right it is a prelude as MHA has announced that they are setting up a Crime and Criminal Tracking Network and Systems (CCTNS) to be fully functional next year through which even courts can access details to verify previous records. Hence GEP must be getting integrated into this so i see a delay in obtaining the clearances for GEP. Also possibly there could be a reciprocal arrangement in India with Kiosk enabled immigration in the future so maybe they back end is being set up and GEP could be the start of this.
My GEP application with all the continuous follow up with MEA finally moved to Min of Fin and Min of Home only on 14th Aug 2017 although i applied and cleared police verification etc on 4th July. They have also stated that 30 days time needed for the other 2 Govt authorities to give the clearance and only if RPO does not get to hear from the two ministries will they be permitted to clear the same to CBP USA. hence the stage after Applying and processing GEP at RPO is to await other governmental clearances which has no defined timelines as of now. Hence the original time line of 2 to 3 weeks for GOES processing in USA is invalid.
Hello Surendran,
What is the status of your application? Were you successful in getting global entry to US?
As per process, I applied for online CBP GEP form and then got redirected to PSK. Then, I appeared GEP appointment at PSK, Bangalore and my police verification process is also completed. Police sent all required documents back to PSK.
Can you please provide me step by step process to follow up with the Indian Ministry of External Affairs?
Does every individual needs to follow up with MEA? Do you know whether there is SLA for this step?
Thanks,
Shashank
I had sent an email to the consulate in San Francisco to ask if they will do the background verification for GEP. I got the following response within 10 minutes (it was 3 AM in the morning!)
“We are awaiting necessary guidelines regarding GEP. As and when the same are received from the Ministry of External Affairs, the same would be put up on our website. Kindly keep looking for updates on our website.”
Rajeev
Did u get more information on this ?
What email did u used to contact San Francisco consulate ?
Got an email from Indian Passport website to schedule an interview in India. This is tougher than it seemed.
What if you are on h1b visa but do not have visa stamp on passport. Are you eligible in that case ?
Can an OCI holder apply for Global Entry? Haven’t been able to find any info relating to this.
Yes, OCI status has nothing to do with Global Entry, which is a US initiative. As long as you are a citizen of the countries listed on the CBP page, OR are a permanent resident of the USA (Green Card Holder), you are eligible to apply.
I applied on Friday – it allowed me to apply, however, I received an email from the Indian Passport Office to come in for a background verification (with an additional fee). The website for the Indian passport office has a link to apply for background verification for GEP.
What’s annoying is that I’m in the States and obviously cannot go to to a physical address in India. I’ve reached out to the Indian consulate in Chicago about this and will update once I know more.
I am in the same boat, please update here once you get some information.
I have the same problem. Not sure if the linkage is being done properly, as I am being asked to visit the Passport Office in India for this?
I got the same email from indian passport office today. Let me know if you find something
So I haven’t heard back from the Consulate but CBP did offer to refund the $100 fee with the same message that others have posted here.
It looks like the only way Indians living in the States can apply is if they have a trip planned to India. The question, though, is what address do we enter in the PassportSeva application if we do not have any address in India? Hotel room? Cops going to show up to “verify” whether we’re staying in that hotel or not?
Unnecessary complications for an already complicated process.
How long it took for the the Indian Passport Office email from the time of your GOES Application payment?
How to do this if you are living temporarily in US not India ? After applying, Indian passport folks sent an email for verification of my address in India. But I am not quite living there anymore, so to say.
I believe there was a ‘constraint’, where you ‘may’ be physically asked to visit one of the centers in US (some 20+ locations) or Doha Airport to complete the application. Not sure, if I read the interpretation correctly. Would love you have your feedback on it. (I currently do not have plans to be in the US for the next 2-3 months to physically verify it)
I got a follow up email from Passport Seva Kendra to schedule an appointment for background verfication for GEP- I haven’t done that yet and my next trip to US is scheduled in January 2017 so waiting it out!
I just applied and paid, lets see how it goes from here. Will keep you posted!
How did you create an ID on GOES?
You are asking about user ID?