SENTRI Trusted Travelers Program: Everything You Need to Know

What is the SENTRI trusted traveler program?

SENTRI, also known as the Secure Electronic Network for Travelers Rapid Inspection, is a program that gives members a quicker clearance when you enter the U.S. from Canada or Mexico by air or land.

SENTRI members arrive through dedicated primary lanes at Southern land border ports and use an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification card). Your travel experience will be much faster with SENTRI.

As of 2023, the average application processing time is about 10 to 12 months.

How to apply for the SENTRI trusted traveler program?

To become a SENTRI member, you will need to: 

1. Create a Trusted Travelers Program account
2. Complete the application
3. Pay $122.50 nonrefundable fee 

​From this point, CBP, U.S. Customs and Border Protection need to conditionally approve your application for you to set up an interview at a SENTRI Enrollment Center. An interview is essential for you to get a full SENTRI membership.

Ensure that you bring your passport and another form of identification to your interview. Lawful permanent residents are required to bring their permanent resident cards.

In addition, you must have your vehicle registration and any documentation with evidence of your U.S. automobile insurance by an authorized company.

You will not get approved for membership if any of the information on your application is false, or you do not provide complete information. Additionally, you will not be accepted if you cannot satisfy CBP of your low-risk status for any reason.

What are the benefits of the SENTRI trusted traveler program?

SENTRI members can minimize wait times at specified ports of entry by using dedicated processing lanes at the southern land border crossing.

Through SENTRI, you can use a NEXUS lane when entering the United States from Canada or Mexico by land or Global Entry kiosks when entering the U.S. by air. This way, you don’t need to wait in excessive lines and you can get to your destination very soon!

How much are the fees for the SENTRI trusted traveler program?

There are a few fees for each person to apply for SENTRI. The total fee to apply is $122.50 per person. This includes a $25 fee to apply, a $14.50 fingerprint fee, and a $82.75 system cost fee. Some of these fees can be bundled with other family members.

In addition to this, if a SENTRI member would like to register more than one vehicle in the SENTRI DCL lane, there will be a $42.00 fee for every vehicle reviewed.

This also applies to members who would like to register for more than one vehicle. Finally, if you lose or otherwise damage your SENTRI card, a card replacement fee will be $25.00. All SENTRI fees are nonrefundable.

What do you need to know before joining the SENTRI trusted traveler program?

If you are using a Global Entry kiosk as a SENTRI member, you need to provide your passport or U.S. Lawful Permanent Resident card. SENTRI cards do not work if you arrive in the U.S. by air at a Global Entry Kiosk.

SENTRI does not have an age restriction, however, individuals under the age of 18 need their parents' or legal guardian’s consent to become members.

Although minors who wish to participate in the program will go through the same application processes, their legal guardian or parent must attend the interview at the SENTRI Enrollment Center. Whoever accompanies the minor participant is not required to be a SENTRI member.

Learn about the FAST Trusted Travelers Program >