LAREDO, Texas – With the holiday season approaching, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) at the Laredo Port of Entry is encouraging travelers to plan ahead by applying for I-94 travel permits online. This initiative aims to ease traffic during Christmas and New Year celebrations.
Albert Flores, Director of the Laredo Port of Entry, stated, "As last-minute shopping and holiday travel begin to accumulate, the administration of CBP Laredo port of entry is planning for elevated volumes of vehicular traffic during the Christmas and New Year's holiday travel season at the Laredo port of entry." He advised shoppers from Mexico to utilize facilitation measures such as submitting tourist permit applications electronically via the CBP One mobile app.
Travelers are urged to apply for their tourist permits online through CBP One, available on Google Play or Apple App Store or via http://i94.cbp.dhs.gov. After submitting their application and payment online, travelers receive a provisional I-94. To complete the process, they must visit a port of entry within seven days for an interview with a CBP officer, biometric scans, and a photo. Those who submit their I-94 applications electronically will be granted front-of-line privileges upon presenting their provisional I-94 receipt.
The CBP One app serves as a single portal for various CBP services. It guides users through questions to direct them to appropriate services based on their needs. The I-94 feature allows travelers to request a provisional I-94 before reaching a land border crossing, resulting in faster processing times.
A free login.gov account is required to use CBP One. Once logged in, users can access different CBP services according to their specific needs.
In collaboration with Outlet Shoppes in Laredo, CBP has set up a Mobile Enrollment Center for issuing I-94 tourist permits. This center has been operational since before Thanksgiving/Black Friday and will remain open until early January 2025. Operating hours are Monday through Saturday from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., located on the ground floor across from Old Navy.
Travelers can monitor Border Wait Times using the BWT app available on Apple App Store and Google Play (CBP BWT). These wait times are updated hourly. As an alternative route to avoid heavy traffic, travelers may use the Colombia-Solidarity Bridge.
Starting December 13th as needed, additional lanes may be opened for local vehicular traffic under Juarez-Lincoln Bridge's old import lot.
To prevent delays or fines due to prohibited/restricted agricultural items brought by travelers, CBP advises declaring all agricultural items upon arrival and consulting the Know Before You Go guide before traveling.
Follow Director Albert Flores' updates on Twitter @DFOLaredo or Instagram @dfolaredo for breaking news and current events related to customs operations in South Texas.
"U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is America's frontline: the nation's largest law enforcement organization and the world's first unified border management agency," states CBP's description about its role in protecting America while facilitating lawful travel and trade.
