BajaNomad

how long does the sentri pass process take?

deanfootlong - 12-17-2013 at 11:46 AM

I filled out a GOES application online for the wife and I at the beginning of this month. I'm just curious to see about how long the process takes. Did anyone get a SENTRI pass recently?

DawnPatrol - 12-17-2013 at 11:56 AM

I did mine about 2 years ago, my wife last year.
We paid the small extra fee for "expedited" (whatever that is)
Took about 45-60 days as I remember

I originally did the "Sentri"
Wife did the "Global"

Found out that travelling in by air to the US there used to be a difference, but the Sentri is now as good as Global , as I entered at JFK with the Sentri and had no problema

[Edited on 12-17-2013 by DawnPatrol]

tjsue - 12-17-2013 at 12:24 PM

It depends on their workload. Don't expect anything until after holidays are over. You also might want to search this forum for more information about the Sentri and also it's processing.

I applied last April, was conditionally approved in May, and denied at my interview in June. I just reapplied last week, and don't expect to hear anything until at least February. Since I was denied, I have appeals out that will hopefully have an impact on my next interview.

Ateo - 12-17-2013 at 01:13 PM

3 months total.

MMc - 12-17-2013 at 01:16 PM

My renewal took 90 days started in April this year.

rayfornario - 12-17-2013 at 01:33 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by MMc
My renewal took 90 days started in April this year.


I just renewed mine last week, took about 2 weeks for me :saint:

apple - 12-17-2013 at 02:15 PM

so, does the Global Entry thing make more sense to apply for? The costs appear to be the same?

fandango - 12-17-2013 at 03:26 PM

Apple:
Apply for sentri and add global entry at your interview. No price difference.

DawnPatrol - 12-17-2013 at 09:23 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by fandango
Apple:
Apply for sentri and add global entry at your interview. No price difference.


100% correct!!

CortezBlue - 12-17-2013 at 10:00 PM

I did my first SENTRI about 7 years ago and it was FAST

I renewed about 2 years ago and I was lucky, we didn't have to go through any more interviews and got our new cards sent in the mail.

I bought a new truck in August and it took almost 3 months to get the approval for the inspection to get it added to SENTRI.

So my guess is, it will take about 2 to 3 months to get a response.

sequoyah - 12-18-2013 at 09:30 AM

I just got my Global Access pass.

I did the application on line and got a preliminary approval about 72 hours later.

I then scheduled an appointment. Once there, it too about 1 ½ hours.

Because I went to San Ysidro, I had to take the care somewhere else to get it cleared.

They then sent the card about 1 week later.

Overall, it was pretty darn easy.

how long does the sentri pass process take?

durrelllrobert - 12-18-2013 at 09:48 AM

How much wood can a wood Chuck chuck? And if he omits anything from his past on the application there motto is "Liars need not reapply EVER AGAIN. That's like infinity.

tjsue - 12-18-2013 at 09:57 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by sequoyah
I just got my Global Access pass.

I did the application on line and got a preliminary approval about 72 hours later.

I then scheduled an appointment. Once there, it too about 1 ½ hours.

Because I went to San Ysidro, I had to take the care somewhere else to get it cleared.

They then sent the card about 1 week later.

Overall, it was pretty darn easy.


Only if you get approved.

[Edited on 12-18-2013 by tjsue]

dasubergeek - 12-18-2013 at 10:11 AM

It took me about 75 days to get the initial approval and another 45 days to get an appointment (though I wasn't exactly hounding the site to see if there were cancellations).

If you go get Global Entry, you'll just need to make an appointment (and pay) to get your car SENTRI-fied. No stickers anymore, just an inspection. Make sure it's empty down to the spare tire and no issues (no chips in windshield, no lights out, license plate light works...)

I bought a new truck in October and I'm still waiting for the approval to have it SENTRI-fied.

deanfootlong - 2-13-2014 at 11:37 AM

digging up this thread fromt he dead.

anyhow, my wife heard back about her sentri the other day. I was even able to schedule her an appt for next week. however, I'm still waiting on mine... ugh. I could really use a sentri right about NOW because I plan on going down to san felipe to watch the 250 race. coming back after that race last year took me three hours at mexicali west.

related question: if my wife gets the sentri and I dont yet have mine, can we travel into mexico, then upon heading back to the states, can I jump out of the car and cross via the pedestrian crossing and she go through sentri crossing with the car? is that ok with customs to do that?

tjsue - 2-13-2014 at 11:56 AM

As long as you don't go through the Sentri line with her, it won't make a difference. The bridge for the pedestrian crossing is on Ave Revolution, and is still in Mexico. My neighbor does that when she doesn't want to wait in line with me.

My second Sentri apt is on Tuesday, hopefully I'll get approved this time.

dasubergeek - 2-14-2014 at 09:45 PM

Yes, you can do that. The absolute rule is: DO NOT LET THE CBP SEE YOU DO IT. They yell and they can seize her card. They really hate it for some reason. If you are crossing at San Ysidro, drop the person off at the bridge near Ferrocarril. You will have to wait (if you have a passport card, it is faster.)

Otay is much nicer for this; she drives up the non-SENTRI side and drops you off at the taxi drop,a nd then there is a cutover back into the left hand SENTRI lane. If it is busy, she will drive back down the right hand road, then make a sharp right hand U-turn into SENTRI. You just walk up the left side of the wall and you'll be across at the same time.

I've never dropped off peds in Mexicali so I can't say how you would do it.

Oh, and it took 80 days to get my truck approval; got a next-day appointment and ended up with the same very nice inspector. They barely looked at the truck. *shrug*

Make sure you take your allotment of crap with you, especially things restricted in quantity like alcohol.

[Edited on 2-15-2014 by dasubergeek]

deanfootlong - 2-14-2014 at 11:54 PM

Thanks for the input. So, just make sure my wife doesn't mention anything to the border patrol about me walking across and her picking me up on the other side while she's going through and were good? Why does that kind of seem sketchy to me?

dasubergeek - 2-15-2014 at 08:35 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by deanfootlong
Thanks for the input. So, just make sure my wife doesn't mention anything to the border patrol about me walking across and her picking me up on the other side while she's going through and were good? Why does that kind of seem sketchy to me?


This is what is supposed to happen; it isn't sketchy at all. The issue is just not holding up the "express" line by stopping to let people and their stuff out, and not cutting back in to line once she's done it. On the US side, the only challenge is finding a legal place to wait if you are delayed walking across; you can't wait at Otay south of the First Bank (one block north of the border) and at SY the entire area by the McDonalds is a fustercluck, not to mention that she'll be waiting a long time since the pedestrian lines at SYa re so much longer than the SENTRI.

bajaguy - 2-15-2014 at 08:48 AM

Otay has a great place to wait, just across the border. Eric's Deli & Grill, 9660 Via De La Amistad.

If you are walking, it is in the strip mall that you come to on your right (same one with the 7-11) just after you walk across the border. Driving you would take the Viva Siempre exit, turn right, then another right on Roll Drive. Eric's is in the strip mall to your left at the corner of Roll and Amistad.

Exceptionally clean rest rooms, wi-fi and great food.

http://erikdeliandgrill.wix.com/eriksdeliandgrill
Quote:
Originally posted by dasubergeek
........ On the US side, the only challenge is finding a legal place to wait if you are delayed walking across; you can't wait at Otay south of the First Bank (one block north of the border).......