Border Crossing Card

<h2 id="history">History</h2>
<p>Since 1953, Mexico and the United States have agreed to make special accommodations for Mexican nationals who cross the <a href="/facts/Mexico%E2%80%93United_States_border/pIL77aCf">Mexico–United States border</a> into the immediate area to promote the economic stability of the region. On November 12, 1953, the two countries entered into an agreement concerning the border area, which included a provision allowing Mexican nationals who resided near the border to be issued border-crossing identification cards. These cards could be used for multiple applications for admission during the validity of the card.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:3" href="#fn:3"><sup>3</sup></a>
</p><p>In 1982, the border zone that may be visited with a BCC without <a href="/facts/Form_I-94/7thqfa8B">Form I-94</a>, which is normally issued for visitors, was defined as the area within 25 miles (40 km) from the border. In 1999, the portion of the zone in <a href="/facts/Arizona/6ayM3swJ">Arizona</a> was expanded to 75 miles (121 km) from the border. In 2004, the allowed period of stay in the border zone with a BCC without Form I-94 was expanded from 72 hours to 30 days.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:4" href="#fn:4"><sup>4</sup></a> In 2013, the portion of the zone in <a href="/facts/New_Mexico/wosJCGaW">New Mexico</a> was expanded to 55 miles (89 km) from the border or up to <a href="/facts/Interstate_10/J14YcSr3">Interstate 10</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:5" href="#fn:5"><sup>5</sup></a>
</p>
<h2 id="eligibility">Eligibility</h2>
<p>The BCC is issued only to Mexican nationals residing in Mexico and by the U.S. diplomatic missions in Mexico. Applicants must satisfy the same requirements as for a <a href="/facts/B_visa/eLquBP3o">B visa</a>, including demonstrating their ties to Mexico that would compel them to return after a temporary stay in the United States.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:6" href="#fn:6"><sup>6</sup></a>
</p>
<h2 id="description">Description</h2>
<p>The first generation of <a href="/facts/Machine-readable_medium/JDgLGQDm">machine-readable</a> BCCs, known as "laser visas",<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:7" href="#fn:7"><sup>7</sup></a> was produced from April 1, 1998, until September 30, 2008. The <a href="/facts/Laminate/o9EGJdwn">laminated</a>, <a href="/facts/Credit_card/7pKSB5LD">credit card</a>-size document is both a BCC and a B1/B2 visitor visa. The cards are valid for travel until the expiration date on the front of the card, usually ten years after issuance. They are nearly identical to the previous generation <a href="/facts/Green_card/5TUuW0ju">U.S. permanent resident card</a>.
</p><p>
October 1, 2008, marked the beginning of production of a second generation <a href="/facts/B_visa/eLquBP3o">B-1/B-2 visa</a>/BCC. The new card is similar in size to the old BCC, but contains enhanced <a href="/facts/Graphics/1V76IF8J">graphics</a> and <a href="/facts/Technology/9Uav5WVR">technology</a>. The original BCC was produced by the now defunct <a href="/facts/Immigration_and_Naturalization_Service/roMtGEV5">Immigration and Naturalization Service</a> but the current card is produced by the <a href="/facts/United_States_Department_of_State/WsB5FMBT">Department of State</a>.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:8" href="#fn:8"><sup>8</sup></a> It is virtually identical to the <a href="/facts/United_States_Passport_Card/5fbW7pzT">U.S. passport card</a>, which is issued to nationals of the United States for the purposes of land and sea border crossings, in its general design layout. The card includes an <a href="/facts/RFID/4CnmIV2b">RFID</a> chip and integrated contactless circuit and is part of the same PASS system as the passport card.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:9" href="#fn:9"><sup>9</sup></a>
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<h2 id="use">Use</h2>
<p>As a standalone document, the BCC allows its holder to travel directly from Mexico to the United States by land, <a href="/facts/Boating/mK3x7m4d">pleasure vessel</a> or <a href="/facts/Ferry/5ysqHULA">ferry</a>. At the port of entry, BCC holders may apply for form <a href="/facts/Form_I-94/7thqfa8B">Form I-94</a>, which is normally issued for visitors, and continue their visit to any part of the United States for the period specified on the form, usually six months. If they do not apply for Form I-94, they may remain in the following border areas for up to 30 days:<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:10" href="#fn:10"><sup>10</sup></a>
</p>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/California/zLW2vdQJ">California</a> within 25 miles (40 km) of the border</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Arizona/6ayM3swJ">Arizona</a> within 75 miles (121 km) of the border</li>
<li><a href="/facts/New_Mexico/wosJCGaW">New Mexico</a> within 55 miles (89 km) of the border or up to <a href="/facts/Interstate_10/J14YcSr3">Interstate 10</a>, whichever is further north</li>
<li><a href="/facts/Texas/B987WHF0">Texas</a> within 25 miles (40 km) of the border</li></ul>
<p>When presented with a <a href="/facts/Mexican_passport/a9Yo67VN">Mexican passport</a>, the BCC functions as a <a href="/facts/B_visa/eLquBP3o">B visa</a> and is accepted for travel from any country to any part of the United States by any means of transportation.<a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:11" href="#fn:11"><sup>11</sup></a><a class="footnote-ref" id="fnref:12" href="#fn:12"><sup>12</sup></a>
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<h2 id="see-also">See also</h2>
<ul><li><a href="/facts/B_visa/eLquBP3o">B visa</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/Enhanced_driver%27s_license/UtXBkcSL">Enhanced driver's license</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/NEXUS_card/MvcGcwF1">NEXUS card</a></li>
<li><a href="/facts/United_States_Passport_Card/5fbW7pzT">United States Passport Card</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="external-links">External links</h2>
<ul><li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160730010156/https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/visit/border-crossing-card.html">Border Crossing Card</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160729233502/https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/frequently-asked-questions/what-is-a-u-s-visa.html">What is a U.S. Visa?</a></li>
<li><a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20160730002354/https://travel.state.gov/content/visas/en/general/frequently-asked-questions/about-visas-the-basics.html">About Visas – The Basics</a></li></ul>

<h2 id="references">References</h2>

<ol>
<li id="fn:1"><p>"Border Crossing Card – What documents do I need as a Mexican national to visit the United States?". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 5 August 2024. <a href="https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1671" target="_blank">https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1671</a> <a href="#fnref:1" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:2"><p>8 CFR §212.1, Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se8.1.212_11" target="_blank">https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se8.1.212_11</a> <a href="#fnref:2" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:3"><p>"Extension of Border Zone in the State of New Mexico". Federal Register. 9 August 2012. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/a/2012-19458" target="_blank">https://www.federalregister.gov/a/2012-19458</a> <a href="#fnref:3" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:4"><p>"Extension of Border Zone in the State of New Mexico". Federal Register. 9 August 2012. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/a/2012-19458" target="_blank">https://www.federalregister.gov/a/2012-19458</a> <a href="#fnref:4" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:5"><p>Extension of Border Zone in the State of New Mexico, Federal Register, 12 June 2013. <a href="https://www.federalregister.gov/a/2013-13946" target="_blank">https://www.federalregister.gov/a/2013-13946</a> <a href="#fnref:5" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:6"><p>"Border Crossing Card". U.S. Department of State. <a href="https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/border-crossing-card.html" target="_blank">https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/us-visas/tourism-visit/border-crossing-card.html</a> <a href="#fnref:6" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:7"><p>Branigin, William (18 February 1998). "High-tech ID cards planned for use on Mexican border". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 March 2019. <a href="https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/02/18/high-tech-id-cards-planned-for-use-on-mexican-border/b0528193-7604-4b20-a3fe-15ff01525f69/" target="_blank">https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/politics/1998/02/18/high-tech-id-cards-planned-for-use-on-mexican-border/b0528193-7604-4b20-a3fe-15ff01525f69/</a> <a href="#fnref:7" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:8"><p>"Updated U.S. Border Crossing Card Visa". United States Consulate, Monterrey, Mexico. October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110721063616/http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov/press_bol100108.html" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110721063616/http://monterrey.usconsulate.gov/press_bol100108.html</a> <a href="#fnref:8" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:9"><p>"Forensic Document Laboratory Alert: Counterfeit DSP-150s" (PDF). July 10, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2019. <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20110128140149/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/files/fp_uploaded_documents/100702_Alert.pdf" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20110128140149/http://www.foreignpolicy.com/files/fp_uploaded_documents/100702_Alert.pdf</a> <a href="#fnref:9" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:10"><p>8 CFR §235.1, Scope of examination, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se8.1.235_11" target="_blank">https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se8.1.235_11</a> <a href="#fnref:10" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:11"><p>"Border Crossing Card – What documents do I need as a Mexican national to visit the United States?". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 5 August 2024. <a href="https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1671" target="_blank">https://help.cbp.gov/s/article/Article-1671</a> <a href="#fnref:11" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
<li id="fn:12"><p>8 CFR §212.1, Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations. <a href="https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se8.1.212_11" target="_blank">https://www.ecfr.gov/cgi-bin/text-idx?node=se8.1.212_11</a> <a href="#fnref:12" class="footnote-back-ref">↩</a></p></li>
</ol>

Border Crossing Card open-in-new

Border Crossing Card