2026 guide · Verified with CBP
The right lane saves you two hours at the bridge.
SENTRI, Ready Lane, or standard: requirements, costs, and which Juárez-El Paso bridges have each one.
The three lanes
5 to 15 min
typical wait in the lane
Dedicated lane for approved members.
- $120 USD for 5 years
- Minors under 18 free
- Application and CBP interview
- Includes TSA PreCheck and Global Entry kiosks
No application20 to 60 min
typical wait in the lane
For RFID-chip documents.
- Free with your current document
- Valid laser visa, Passport Card, or TTP card
- Everyone 16+ needs a chip document
30 min to 3 h
typical wait in the lane
Regular lane for any valid document.
- Passport and valid visa
- Most traffic uses this lane
Where each lane is
Santa Fe
24 hours
Bridge of the Americas (BOTA)
24 hours
Zaragoza (Ysleta)
24 hours
Lerdo (DCL)
6 AM to midnight
Santa Teresa
6 AM to 10 PM
Tornillo
6 AM to 10 PM
Hours per CBP's official report. Lerdo (DCL) is SENTRI-only.
How to get SENTRI
- 1
Create your TTP account
Sign up on CBP's Trusted Traveler Programs portal at ttp.cbp.dhs.gov.
- 2
Fill out the application
Provide your personal information, travel history, and vehicle details if you are registering one.
- 3
Pay $120 USD
Charged when you submit; non-refundable. Minors under 18 are free.
- 4
Wait for conditional approval
CBP runs a background check; it can take weeks to several months.
- 5
Attend your interview
The El Paso enrollment center is at the Ysleta port (797 S. Zaragoza Rd).
- 6
Get your card
Your SENTRI card arrives by mail and is valid for 5 years.
Documents for the Ready Lane
No application needed: if your document has an RFID chip, you can use it today. Everyone in the vehicle aged 16 or older needs one.
- Valid Border Crossing Card (laser visa): all current ones have the RFID chip
- U.S. Passport Card (the card, not the book)
- SENTRI, Global Entry, NEXUS, or FAST card
- New-design Green Card (permanent resident card)
- Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) and Enhanced Tribal Card
Tips to speed up your application and your crossing
Everyone in the car must be a member
Including kids (free for them). One passenger without SENTRI and you cannot use the lane: CBP can revoke your membership.
Register your vehicle in your TTP profile
The SENTRI lane only accepts registered vehicles. Your first one is included in the fee; add it during application or renewal.
Avoid crossing from 7 to 9 AM
Per our own data, that is the SENTRI lane's worst weekday window. Outside that peak, the average wait is minutes.
Check the portal often to move your interview up
Cancelled slots open up unannounced on ttp.cbp.dhs.gov. Checking every few days often wins you weeks.
Bring everything to the interview
Two official IDs, plus vehicle registration and insurance if you are registering one. A missing document means another appointment.
Renew up to a year early
CBP opens renewals 12 months before your card's expiration date. Do not leave it to the end.
Frequently asked questions
What is SENTRI and how does it work?
It is CBP's trusted traveler program for the land border: you cross in a dedicated lane with minimal wait. In Juárez-El Paso it is available at Santa Fe, Zaragoza, and Lerdo, by vehicle or on foot.
How much does it cost and how long does it last?
$120 USD for 5 years, the same fee as Global Entry since October 2024. Minors under 18 are free when applying with an enrolled parent or legal guardian.
Does my passport work in the Ready Lane?
Only the Passport Card. The passport BOOK does not work in Ready Lane even though it has a chip: the lane readers cannot scan it. A valid laser visa does work.
What is the difference between SENTRI and Global Entry?
SENTRI covers land crossings and Global Entry covers air arrivals, but since 2024 they share benefits: SENTRI gets you Global Entry kiosks and TSA PreCheck, and Global Entry members may use SENTRI lanes.
Already have SENTRI? Check your lane's live wait
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