News Summary
South Carolina has launched its first permanent Global Entry enrollment center at Charleston International Airport, offering residents a local facility for expedited travel processing. Previously, residents traveled hundreds of miles for interviews, facing a long waitlist. The new center alleviates these challenges by providing convenient access. Located alongside TSA offices, it supports tourism and business travel while enhancing the travel experience for residents. With high demand shown through rapidly booked appointments, this development underscores the state’s commitment to facilitating international travel.
South Carolina has taken a significant step forward in improving international travel accessibility with the opening of its first permanent Global Entry enrollment center at Charleston International Airport (CHS), located in North Charleston. This new facility began accepting appointments on September 22, 2025, providing residents of South Carolina a much-needed local option to complete their Global Entry interviews without the need for long-distance travel to other states.
Previously, many South Carolina residents faced the challenge of traveling hundreds of miles to cities like Charlotte, Atlanta, or Miami to complete their Global Entry interviews. As of last year, over 14,000 residents were on the waiting list for these in-person appointments due to a significant backlog. The new Global Entry Office at CHS aims to alleviate this issue by offering a convenient and accessible location within the state.
The Global Entry Office is located at 5551 Porsche Blvd, within the same building as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) offices and the airport police department. This strategic placement emphasizes the role of Charleston International as a “gateway to the world” and supports both the local economy and tourism. The arrival of this office is seen as a crucial development for the area, enhancing travel efficiency for both business and leisure travelers.
The Global Entry program is operated under the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Trusted Traveler initiative. It allows members to enjoy expedited security screenings at various entry points into the United States and bypass long customs lines at major airports. While the program requires a membership fee of $120 for a five-year period, it is available to both U.S. citizens and eligible foreign travelers. For applicants under 18 years old, the fee may be waived if a parent or legal guardian is already a member or applying concurrently.
As appointments became available at the CHS Global Entry site, they quickly filled, with slots already booked through the end of September shortly after being listed. This rapid demand illustrates the interest among South Carolina residents in facilitating their international travel plans.
The establishment of this Global Entry enrollment center not only promises enhanced convenience for travelers, potentially saving them time and travel expenses, but also reflects the growing need for international travel facilitation in the state. By providing easier access to these services, Charleston International Airport underlines its commitment to serving its community and promoting economic growth through tourism and business travel.
In summary, the opening of South Carolina’s first permanent Global Entry Office at Charleston International Airport marks a significant advancement for the region’s travel infrastructure, allowing residents to more conveniently access a program designed to streamline international travel. With the increasing demand for such services, this initiative is positioned to positively impact both the local economy and travel experience for South Carolinians.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
- Post and Courier: Global Entry Appointment Opens at Charleston International Airport
- Google Search: Charleston International Airport
- Post and Courier: Charleston International Airport Global Entry Interview
- Wikipedia: Global Entry
- The Points Guy: Global Entry Airports
- Google News: Global Entry Program
- Delaware North: Ashley Cooper Provisions Opens at Charleston International Airport
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Transportation
Author: STAFF HERE FLORENCE WRITER
FLORENCE STAFF WRITER The FLORENCE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREFlorence.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Florence, Florence County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the Florence Festival of Lights, Pee Dee Pride, and agricultural expos at the Florence Center. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Florence Regional Chamber of Commerce and the Pee Dee Area Council of Governments, plus leading businesses in healthcare and retail that power the local economy such as McLeod Health and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECharleston.com, HEREColumbia.com, HEREGreenville.com, and HEREHiltonHead.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into South Carolina's dynamic landscape.
