US Border Crossing Card (BCC): Guide for Mexicans

A US Border Crossing Card is a legal document issued by the Department of State that permits Mexican citizens to cross the border into the US. However, it can only be used for land and sea entries, not air travel.

Serving as a visitor visa and biometric ID, it allows temporary travel (up to 30 days) across the Mexican border (via land or sea) for purposes such as tourism, business, or medical visits.

Once granted, the card is usually valid for up to 10 years and can be used multiple times.

However, on its own, it can only be used to travel within the border zone as set by the US authorities.

Border Crossing Cards help the US authorities complete procedures efficiently. According to the Atlantic Council, approximately 19,617 travelers cross the border every day, so a BCC helps the authorities manage lawful visits without granting broader legal immigration rights.

BCCs also help the authorities streamline procedures and avoid congestion at key ports of entry.
The rules surrounding BCCs have recently been updated. For example, unless you’re a US citizen, you must now undergo mandatory facial scanning upon both entry and exit at the Mexican border.

Page Contents

• Overview of the US Border Crossing Card
• History
• Description
• Qualifying for a Border Crossing Card
• English Language Requirements
• Applying for a Border Crossing Card
• Required Documents for US Border Crossing Card
• Border Crossing Card Fees
• Using Your Border Crossing Card
• Renewing a US Border Crossing Card
• US Visas
• How Can Total Law Help?
• Frequently Asked Questions

The requirement to obtain a US border crossing card to cross from Mexico into the US has been in place for almost 80 years. It was established in 1953 and allowed Mexican nationals living near the border to cross into the US with identity documents for short, recurring trips of up to 72 hours.

In 1982, the border zone was officially defined as within 25 miles of the US/Mexican border, and by 1996, legislation had been updated to require machine-readable documents. By 2002, all non-biometric paper and laminate cards had been phased out, and the biometric card became mandatory.

The authorized period of stay was increased to 30 days in 2004, and by 2013, border zone limits were widened to 75 miles in Arizona and up to 55 miles in New Mexico.

A US Border Crossing Card is a physical, credit-card-sized card. It is a laminated document featuring complex background graphics and US design elements, similar to a US passport card.

On the front, it bears a black-and-white photograph of the holder and their biographical data. It also shows the card’s visa number, issue date, expiration date, and, for security purposes, it has an RFID chip. On the back of the card, there is a barcode for easy scanning and text indicating restrictions.

The card is made using laser engraving, optically variable inks, kinegrams, and has hidden ultraviolet features, making it difficult to replicate. It is possible to find a sample Border Crossing Card online to know what to expect.

To qualify for a BCC, all applicants must be Mexican citizens and hold a valid Mexican passport.

You must also meet the US visitor visa eligibility standards by proving your purpose of travel to the US. In addition, you must prove you have financial or family ties in Mexico and confirm your intention to return home after your trip.

A BCC or a Visitor visa does not allow you to work in the US, so you must prove that you are capable of supporting yourself financially for the duration of your stay.

There are no age restrictions when applying for a BCC; however, if you are a child under 15, a parent/guardian must already hold or be actively applying for a BCC.

Validity periods can vary depending on age. All applicants over the age of 15 will be granted a 10-year BCC; however, if the applicant is under 15, the BCC is valid for 10 years or until their 15th birthday, whichever comes first.

There are no English language proficiency requirements to apply for a border crossing card.

When you attend an interview at your local consulate or embassy, it will usually be conducted in your native language, which is usually Spanish.

However, US border authorities communicate in English. If you are required to have an interview upon entering the US, it will be conducted in English; however, you can usually request an interpreter.

To apply for a Border Crossing Card, you must complete an online form (DS-160) on the Consular Electronic Application Center website. You will need a recent photograph and will need to pay the application fee when submitting the form.

After completing the form, you should print off the confirmation page and your fee payment receipt. Then schedule an appointment at your local US embassy or consulate in Mexico.

When you attend your appointment, you will need to provide your biometrics, present your supporting documents, and complete a visa interview.

If your application and interview are successful, you will be issued a Border Crossing Card. It is either mailed to you or available for pickup at your local embassy or consulate. The process to receive your Border Crossing Card takes approximately 3 weeks from the date of your interview.

BCC applications can be denied, so it is important to submit an error-free application that features the correct information. Not only are mistakes costly moneywise, but in some circumstances, you can also be denied the ability to reapply for a lengthy period of time.

When you apply for a BCC, you must provide evidence to prove that you meet the eligibility requirements. As part of your visa interview, you will be expected to show:

• Valid Mexican passport
• Recent passport-sized photograph that meets the US photograph requirements
• Online application confirmation page with barcode
• Application fee receipt
• Proof of financial stability
• Proof of ties to Mexico

The supporting documents you provide to demonstrate your financial stability and ties to Mexico are extremely important as they prove your financial situation and your intention to return to Mexico after your trip. They can include:

• Recent bank statements/savings account
• Property deeds
• Proof of current employment

You should gather all relevant documentation before you apply to avoid errors in your application or delays in its processing.

To obtain a Border Crossing Card, you are required to pay an application fee. Children pay a reduced amount provided their parent/guardian already holds a BCC or is also applying for one at the same time.

The current fees are:

• Adult (15 years or older): $185.00
• Children (under 15 years of age): $15.00

Most people usually pay fees online via debit or credit card when completing an application form; however, if you would prefer to pay your fee in cash, you can generate a deposit slip when you complete the online application form and take it to a designated bank to pay the exact amount.

There are certain circumstances where you can be exempt from paying the BCC fee, including:

• You are an official representative (or an immediate family member) of a foreign government or an international organization of which the US is a member
• Transiting to the United Nations Headquarters
• Participating in a US government-sponsored program
• Traveling to provide charitable services (as determined by the US Visa Services)

You can use your BCC as-is to cross the Mexican border into the US border zone by land or sea only. All those traveling to Mexico by air will need a valid passport in addition to their BCCs.

You can stay within the area specified below the border zone:

• 25 miles in Texas and California
• 55 miles in New Mexico
• 75 miles in Arizona

If you want to travel farther into the US, you must also complete an I-94 form. This, when combined with your entry document (BCC) and Mexican passport, allows travel beyond the border zone (anywhere within the US) for up to 6 months.

A Border Crossing Card does not allow its holders to work or study while residing in the US. It can only be used for specific purposes, such as:

• Travel and leisure
• Business
• Medical Care

The BCC does not grant you any residency rights in the US and cannot be used as proof of residency. It only allows for temporary stays, so if you want to make your stay in the US more permanent, you will need to apply for a full US visa.

You should always comply with US law and immigration rules regarding Border Crossing Cards so that you can continue to use them for the duration of their validity and reapply when the validity period lapses.

If you have previously held a US Border Crossing Card and want to renew it for another 10 years, you will need to fill out a new application form, attend an interview at your local consulate or embassy, and pay the full fee again.

A BCC is not a full US visa; it is a physical card, not a stamp in your passport, and it acts as an Identity document for Mexican border crossings. It is exclusively designed for Mexican citizens and primarily used for regular trips across the border by land or sea.

However, it can be used in conjunction with other documents to replace a US B1/2 visa. For example, if you want to cross the border zone or stay in the US for more than 30 days, you can combine your BCC with your valid Mexican passport to do so.

If you present the two documents together, they act as a US B1/2 visa, and you can travel anywhere in the US for up to 6 months. If you are looking to travel across the border into the US for different purposes, you should apply for the US visa that matches your circumstances instead.