Sentri vs Global Entry
besmitty
I'm looking at getting either a Sentri card or Global Entry card and I'm confused.
Global entry says International entry to USA by Land Air and Sea.
Sentri says Entry to USA from Mexico (only) by land borders.
Global entry is $100 and Sentri 122.50.... why would you get sentri over global entry? Is there something I am missing?
Basically my main thing is not standing in a long line from TJ to San Diego via San Ysidiro PED crossing. I've only ever had one issue, otherwise my longest in line was 40 min but now that I'm traveling more , might as well.
Any insight on the difference between the two and why get sentri over global, please let me know.
Global entry says International entry to USA by Land Air and Sea.
Sentri says Entry to USA from Mexico (only) by land borders.
Global entry is $100 and Sentri 122.50.... why would you get sentri over global entry? Is there something I am missing?
Basically my main thing is not standing in a long line from TJ to San Diego via San Ysidiro PED crossing. I've only ever had one issue, otherwise my longest in line was 40 min but now that I'm traveling more , might as well.
Any insight on the difference between the two and why get sentri over global, please let me know.
24 comments
If i recall correctly, SENTRI will require your car to be inspected. If you will not be driving into mexico, Sentri or will be using different vehicles, Sentri is no better than Global Entry for getting back from mexico.
K and his Nissan Sentra and covered under SENTRI and breezes through.
K's is covered but his Civic is not covered by SENTRI so he and his car are subject to the usual checks and delays.
if you will not be using your own vehicle to drive into Mexico, SENTRI gives you nothing more than GE.
NEXUS is a Canadian program and is not as widely available at airports as GE. NEXUS interviews are available in fewer locations with most of them being in Canada. If you will be traveling by car to Canada, it is worth checking. it will be an additional $50 but there are dedicated lanes for entry into Canada. I have never had more than a five-minute wait getting into Canada by car, so I have chosen to not get nexus. Where and when you cross may have longer delays making the extar program worthwhile
Im going to apply for GE this week. It says 3 months...Jascoi, when did you get yours and recall waiting time?
The first time it was about four weeks, but that was over six years ago, so pre-covid, and being impatient, I scheduled my interview in Otay Mesa, because it was the earliest I could get. Flew down. Went to my interview and then for the first time went to TJ for an afternoon.
I do not recommend interviewing in Otay Mesa. I had a 9:30 am appointment and it was almost 11:00 before I was interviewed. And the interview was 30+ minutes and intensive. They not only wanted to know where I worked, but wanted to see my corporate ID (which I had with me). They have my criminal record (or lack of) on the computer in front of them, but still grilled me on criminal history, in addition to some personal questions. I think the agent was enjoying watching my bewilderment. At the end of the interview, the agent announced that I would be approved and took my picture without warning, so I looked bewildered in the photograph. Then his demeanor changed and he gave me some (unwanted) tourist tips on what to see and where to eat in San Diego. I gave a polite thank you and left.
When I interviewed for renewal at SFO, it was less than 10 minutes and that included trading a few comments about my minimal Spanish language skills. He was quite amused that I was making an effort to learn a foreign language. OTOH, I am not sure that he spoke Spanish at all, as his responses were minimal. Anyway, the point is that I know a few others who got their interviews at SFO and they were brief. Interviewing at an international airport is recommended.
I think you were on a webpage for Sentri (what do those 4 states have in common? :-))
GE can be got here:
https://www.cbp.gov/travel/trusted-trave…
OTOH, you could fly into LAX, interview, take the train down to SD, and hop over the border. Yeah it is a little complex, but oh what a relief it is to visit Adult Disneyland.
And it gets you TSA Pre for all domestic air travel if you enter your GE known traveler #.