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  4. CBP Reminds Travelers of Services at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry

CBP Reminds Travelers of Services at San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Ports of Entry

Release Date
Fri, 08/19/2016

SAN DIEGO — U.S Customs and Border Protection officials want to remind the traveling public of the services available at the San Ysidro and Otay Mesa passenger ports of entry, and changes in the processing of travelers.

“I want to ensure the traveling public is aware of the services available at the various border crossings in the San Diego/Tijuana region, so they may make an informed decision on which to use,” said San Ysidro and Otay Mesa Port Director Sidney Aki.  “They can also check wait times on our website at http://bwt.cbp.gov/.”

The necessary changes are due to the expansion/construction of the busiest land border crossing which also includes the demolition of the San Ysidro pedestrian facility built in 1974. On August 1, the San Ysidro pedestrian facility was closed and northbound pedestrians are being processed through the historic Customs House and the PedWest facility.

Travelers have the following options when crossing the border from Mexico into the U.S, in the San Diego/Tijuana area:

San Ysidro port of entry (East)

  • Six pedestrian booths at the historic Customs House segmented for SENTRI, Ready Lane, and General traffic
  • Twenty four vehicle lanes segmented for SENTRI, Ready Lane, and General traffic
  • Buses and vans – 21 passengers or more
  • Immigration related benefits and issues handled, no I-94 permits issued
  • Open 24 hours per day
  • PedWest
  • Up to twelve northbound pedestrian booths segmented for SENTRI, Ready Lane, and General traffic
  • Immigration related benefits and issues handled, including issuance of I-94 permits
  • SENTRI Enrollment Center
  • Open 24 hours per day

Otay Mesa port of entry

  • Six pedestrian booths segmented for SENTRI, Ready Lane, and General traffic
  • Thirteen vehicles lanes segmented for SENTRI, Ready Lane, and General traffic
  • All buses and vans
  • Immigration related benefits and issues handled, including issuance of I-94 permits
  • SENTRI Enrollment Center
  • Open 24 hours per day

Cross Border Xpress (CBX)

  • CBX is for airline passengers ticketed through the Tijuana airport, who have purchased a ticket to use the CBX pedestrian bridge only
  • Eight pedestrian booths segmented for SENTRI, Ready Lane, and General traffic
  • Immigration related benefits and issues handled, including issuance of I-94 permits
  • Open 24 hours per day

The public may also call local phone numbers for recorded wait time information:

San Ysidro border crossing – (619) 690-8999
Otay Mesa border crossing – (619) 671-8999

U.S. Customs and Border Protection is the unified border agency within the Department of Homeland Security charged with the management, control and protection of our nation's borders at and between the official ports of entry. CBP is charged with keeping terrorists and terrorist weapons out of the country while enforcing hundreds of U.S. laws.

Last Modified: Feb 03, 2021