CBP Announces Change in I-94 Permit Application Process for Travelers Applying at Otay Mesa Port

San Ysidro, Calif. – The Otay Mesa port of entry will end on December 14, a policy of allowing Mexican travelers to park their vehicles on port property when applying for I-94 permits, U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials announced today.

Mexican travelers with “laser visas” will be required to leave their vehicles in Mexico and to apply on-foot for the necessary travel document at the pedestrian facility at the Otay Mesa border station.

Port officials plan to shift all I-94 permit operations out of the vehicle secondary inspection lot and to centralize processing activity closer to the border so that travelers may conveniently walk to the facility.

This change in being implemented in an effort to provide better service, by streamlining the I-94 process, for public safety reasons, and due to the lack of parking facilities.

The number of permit processing booths at the pedestrian facility will increase and will stay open 24-hours daily for service beginning December 15, said Oscar Preciado, San Ysidro port director.

“This change is being made because of the parking problem in our vehicle secondary lot,” Preciado said. “We are increasing our capacity to service travelers by increasing the number of work stations and we will keep the pedestrian facility building open seven days a week to offer more convenience to travelers.”

In the past, travelers typically applied on the day of their planned trip to the U.S. and stood up to one hour in a line that stretched around the vehicle secondary inspection area, causing safety problems and parking congestion, Preciado said.

The Otay Mesa border port processes 12,000 – 18,000 vehicles and 3,000 - 6,000 pedestrians daily and is one of the Southwest border stations most affected by heavy holiday I-94 processing.

The essential permit, which costs $6, allows visitors to travel further than 25 miles from the border and to stay up to six months in the U.S.

Mexican travelers may also apply for the document at the Port of San Ysidro Old Port building 24 hours a day.

All traveling family members need to be present during the I-94 application process. Those requesting the permits also must be able to establish financial solvency and proof of residency outside the U.S., Preciado said.

“This expanded service during one of the busiest times of the year should reduce congestion at the port and result in improved service that is safer, more convenient and faster,” Preciado said. We hope the Mexican traveling public will take advantage immediately of this significant improvement in service.”