SENTRI / Global Entry

Here's the thing most comparison articles get wrong: these overlap more than you'd think, and for a Baja regular SENTRI is the one to buy. SENTRI covers land and sea crossings at the US–Mexico border, and it also gets you Global Entry processing at airports and TSA PreCheck — same $120 as Global Entry alone. Going the other direction, a Global Entry member can use SENTRI pedestrian lanes, and SENTRI vehicle lanes too, but only after registering the car with CBP and sitting through a 7-point vehicle inspection at an enrollment center. NEXUS is the US–Canada equivalent. So: don't pay for both. Apply for SENTRI and you've covered the airport as well.

• US citizens, US lawful permanent residents, and Mexican citizens/nationals are eligible (Mexican citizens apply through a slightly different process).
• Clean criminal, customs, and immigration history — CBP runs a full background check.
• 5 years of address history and, for some applicants, employment history.
• The car itself has to be registered with CBP and pass a 7-point inspection, and you'll need proof of US auto insurance for it. Register it as part of your initial application and it's free — do it later and it costs $42.
• Everyone in the vehicle must individually be a member. One non-member passenger disqualifies the whole trip from the lane and can mean a serious fine, so this is not the place to do a friend a favor.

1. Create an account at the Trusted Traveler Programs (TTP) website and complete the online application.
2. Pay the non-refundable application fee at submission.
3. CBP runs your background check — usually a couple of weeks for straightforward cases, but it can stretch much longer if anything needs extra review.
4. If conditionally approved, schedule an in-person interview (about 30 minutes) at an enrollment center. The closest one for most Baja crossers is Otay Mesa, at 2500 Paseo Internacional — check the TTP site for others and book early, because appointments there go quickly.
5. Your card arrives by mail after a successful interview.

$120 for five years, non-refundable even if you're denied — so be honest with yourself about your record before you pay. The good news for families: kids under 18 are free when they apply alongside a parent or guardian, or when their parent is already a member. Fee amounts change occasionally, so confirm on the official site before you pay.