The Sentri Trusted Traveler program offers pre-approved travelers dedicated CBP processing at select land border ports, enabling members to enter the United States from Mexico, Canada, and other designated countries without waiting in long lines at customs and immigration inspection.
At an enrollment center, applicants must go through a thorough background check and personal interview. Upon approval, participants are issued an RFID card.
What is Sentri trusted traveler program?
SENTRI is a United States Customs and Border Protection (CBP) trusted traveler program that allows pre-approved, low-risk individuals to enter the U.S. on foot or in a vehicle through dedicated SENTRI lanes at land border ports.
The program was created to enable preapproved, low-risk travelers to enter the United States at land border ports without going through traditional security screenings at airport security checkpoints. Similar to TSA PreCheck, SENTRI provides expedited clearance for those traveling on foot or by vehicle from Mexico and Canada into the United States.
Before applying for SENTRI, you must first visit a local enrollment center to receive your application form and ID card. You will need to present proof of identity, residence, and employment status. If you own a vehicle, make sure to bring along its registration and insurance documents as well.
Once approved for SENTRI, you’ll receive an RFID card to use the SENTRI lanes at U.S.-Mexico land border crossings as well as CBP’s automated kiosks at over 75 international airports within the U.S.
Before you can complete the application on a Trusted Traveler Program website, an initial payment of $25 must be made. This fee may be paid with either your credit card, electronic bank transfer (EBT), or money order.
For those who drive frequently between Mexico and the U.S., particularly those living near the southern border, SENTRI trusted traveler program is an ideal option. However, those without access to a SENTRI enrollment center may benefit more by applying for Global Entry instead; this more comprehensive yet cheaper program gives you access to kiosks at over 75 international airports worldwide.
How much does it cost?
The SENTRI Trusted Traveler program is an expedited land entry system that permits preapproved drivers to enter the United States from Mexico through special lanes. Similar to Global Entry and NEXUS, SENTRI is open to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents alike and includes access to TSA PreCheck lanes as well.
Applying for SENTRI is a quick and effortless process. You can apply online or visit an enrollment center located in Arizona, California, New Mexico, or Texas – either way, it’s fast!
When visiting the enrollment center, applicants should bring their passports, driver’s licenses, and photo ID card with them. Furthermore, they should bring their vehicle’s VIN number and registration info with them.
Once you apply, you can monitor your application status on the Trusted Traveler website. Additionally, you will be alerted of any approvals or denials that may impact your application.
Once approved, a SENTRI RFID card will be provided to you. It contains a file number that will be read by CBP upon arrival at the U.S. border.
Once approved, there’s no fee to register your first vehicle; however, an additional $42 fee applies for each additional car. Applicants can pay this fee either electronically via TTP Systems or in person at the enrollment center.
If you’re a frequent driver between Mexico and the United States, signing up for SENTRI is worth considering. Not only does it expedite entry into America, but members also get several other benefits like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck; plus they can use SENTRI lanes when returning from Canada – saving time and money in the process!
How does it work?
SENTRI is a trusted traveler program that enables pre-approved travelers (who pose little risk) to expedite clearance at designated ports of entry. Participants may use dedicated processing lanes when crossing the Mexican border by land, NEXUS lanes when entering from Canada by land, and Global Entry kiosks for air travel.
Before applicants can be accepted into the program, INS and Customs officials will conduct an extensive background check and interview to assess your criminal history, employment history, citizenship status, and other information in order to decide if you pose a low-risk border crosser and should be allowed entry into America.
Once your application is approved and all criminal records cleared, you will receive an RFID card which automatically transmits your identity to US-Mexican border officers when near a SENTRI kiosk at the Mexican border. After CBP officers verify your membership status and identity, they will allow you to enter the United States.
At SENTRI lanes, you’ll enjoy significantly shorter waits than other border crossers during peak hours and may even skip security altogether. To be eligible for these lanes, all passengers in your vehicle must be members of SENTRI.
One of the greatest challenges SENTRI faces is maintaining enrollment data integrity across all sites. Enrollment information is stored both in hardcopy files and an electronic record within GES database.
The GES database is used by INS and Customs inspectors to screen border crossers into the SENTRI lane, ensuring only low-risk individuals are permitted entry. Unfortunately, this process can be challenging to manage because a single mismatch in data could deny access to an entire group of border crossers. Therefore, it’s critical that enrollment data and new applications be thoroughly reviewed prior to release to inspectors for accurate verification.
How long does it last?
CBP has implemented several Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) to strike a balance between security and service. Each TTP offers expedited border crossings for preapproved travelers who don’t require extra security measures.
Some TTPs, like Global Entry and TSA PreCheck, is only accessible to United States citizens and lawful permanent residents. On the other hand, others like Sentri are open to all foreign nationals as well as those living in America.
SENTRI is a trusted traveler program designed to make the clearance process for approved travelers into America easier. It includes an interview with a CBP officer and a fingerprint check.
Once you’ve determined that you meet SENTRI’s eligibility requirements, log into your Trusted Traveler account and apply for the program. You will receive a conditional approval email, allowing you to schedule an interview at one of many SENTRI enrollment centers nearby.
At the interview, you must present either your passport or permanent resident card as identification. Additionally, questions will be asked about why you want to join SENTRI and how it will benefit you while traveling in the US.
You will need to explain how you plan to utilize your SENTRI pass, including any frequent trips to Mexico. Furthermore, any criminal history (if any) that is relevant will be inquired of.
After your interview, you’ll receive a Sentri ID card to use while traveling through the U.S. Additionally, the TSA PreCheck card for airport use within America can also be obtained using this same SENTRI card; additionally, NEXUS lanes are available when returning to America by land from Canada.
What are the pros and cons?
If you’re searching for an expeditious border crossing experience, the Sentri trusted traveler program is a great option. It includes Global Entry, TSA PreCheck, and NEXUS benefits as well as access to Sentri lanes at certain US-Mexico border crossings.
Sentri is a superior trust traveler program compared to other TTPs for those who frequently cross the southern border with Mexico or Canada. Global Entry and TSA PreCheck are mainly accessible to U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, while NEXUS is available only to Canadian nationals.
A major advantage of joining the Sentri trusted traveler program is having exclusive access to the SENTRI lane at US-Mexico border crossings. This expedited passageway allows pre-screened members to enter at a faster rate, while other travelers must wait in regular lines.
When using the lane, you will be required to present your membership card and proof of U.S. automobile insurance to a CBP officer. After they verify your information, they can either let you pass or notify you that additional inspection is needed.
You can set the device to automatically sound a siren when motion or sensor intrusion is detected. Furthermore, you can configure it to control other smart-home items like Philips Hue lights and Belkin WeMo switches – though for this feature you will need a Sentri account.
Finally, Sentri’s 10.1-inch color touchscreen makes it more aesthetically pleasing than traditional security cameras. Not only can it display video feed, but also trigger alerts, display temperature and humidity levels in your home, as well as monitor indoor air quality. Unfortunately, it won’t send you alerts if the Internet goes down – something that may not be ideal when away on vacation.