Border Crossing Card Lawyers

A border crossing card is a credit card style travel document that allows a Mexican citizen to enter the United States by land for a temporary purpose, whether business or tourism. It is issued by the U.S. Department of State and is not meant for immigration, but instead just a temporary visit. This type of card is authorized under Section 104 of the Illegal immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996, which is a U.S. law.

Some acceptable business purposes for getting a border crossing card include negotiations, purchasing materials, meetings, conferences, and visiting an American job facility for the company you work for in Mexico. Tourism purposes are generally for vacationing, visiting relatives and friends, or attending an event.

The border crossing card will be laminated and include enhanced graphics. It will include a photo, name, nationality, sex, sate of issuance, and expiration date. The card contains biometric data that can be read by a machine and has an RFID chip similar to a credit card chip. This makes it simpler for border officials to scan the card upon entry into the country and verify identity.

The border crossing card is often referred to as a BCC or DSP-150 for short, but also acts as an equivalent to a B1/B2 temporary visitor visa. The B1/B2 visitor visa is also appropriate when someone wants to come to the United States for business and tourism purposes. This designation will be affixed to the individual’s passport. The border crossing card, although intended for the same purpose, will be a document separate from the passport. However, the B1/B2 designation will also be on the border crossing card just like it would appear on a passport.

If you are seeking to enter the United States for a temporary purpose, then it is important to understand eligibility for border crossing cards, the application process, and other important features of this document. If you do not become properly educated about this process then your application may not be approved.

Who is Eligible for a Border Crossing Card?

In order to apply for and successfully receive a border crossing card, the following eligibility requirements need to be met:

• You must be a Mexican citizen;
• Your must also be a resident of Mexico;
• You need to have a valid Mexican passport when you submit your application for the border crossing card;
• You need to demonstrate the need to return to Mexico after a short visit to the United States. Some valid and convincing ties to Mexico that would fulfill this requirement would include you having a steady job in Mexico, your whole family lives in Mexico, or you own property in Mexico where you reside; and
• You meet the standards needed to obtain a B1/B2 visitor visa.

If you meet all of these requirements, then you will be able to successfully apply for a border crossing card. However, remember that you will still need to go through the application process and get everything approved before receiving your border crossing card and being legally able to enter the United States for the limited purposes allowed by this card.

What Does the Application Process for a Border Crossing Card Entail?

After confirming your eligibility to receive a border crossing card, you will need to go through the application process. This generally consists of the following steps:

1. Visit the U.S. Embassy website for the Mexican consulate located closest to where you reside. There will be guidance on how you need to submit your application and you will generally need to go in person to fill out the forms and provide appropriate documentation.
2. Complete the U.S. Department of State online form for a B1/B2 visitor visa, which is formally called a DS-160.
3. Upload a passport type photograph with your DS-160 form.
4. Print your application so you can bring it to the interview.
5. Pay the application fees, which is currently $160 for anyone ages 15 and older and $15 for anyone younger than 15 years old. These fees are subject to change so make sure that you check the U.S. Department of State website to verify.
6. Receive an interview date and attend your interview.
7. Receive your border crossing card.

Keep in mind that if you do not follow the application process appropriately then your request for a border crossing card may be denied. For example, if you do not pay the fee or present requested documentation then you will likely not be able to receive a card.

What are Some Other Important Things About a Border Crossing Card?

Before deciding whether you want a border crossing card, there are a few other things to learn about this travel document. First, you must realize that this is only proper for land travel and will not allow you to get on a plane internationally. You will also need your passport for air travel. The border crossing card also has limitations on time spent in the United States and where you can travel. You cannot be in the United States for over 30 days and only travel within the border zone, which is generally no more than 25 miles past the border. This permitted area contains parts of California, Texas, New Mexico, and Arizona.

If you want to travel past the border zone then you will need more than your border crossing card. You will also need to fill out an I-94 form for arrival and departure and be granted an entry permit past the designated area. When you return to Mexico, you will need to give the border officials this form to illustrate that you did not violate any current immigration laws. Without this form, you will most likely encounter difficulties when trying to come back into the United States for any purpose.

Another key thing to note about border crossing cards is how long they are valid. If you are over 15 years old, they will not expire until 10 years after the date of issuance. If you are under 15 years of age, the card will expire after 10 years or when you turn 15 (whichever comes first). So, say you got a border crossing card issued at 4 years old. In this situation, it would expire when you are 14 years old. However, if you received the border crossing card at 13 years old then it would expire just 2 years later when you reach the age of 15. At that point, you would need to apply for a new card and pay the increased fee that accompanies the application.

One other point to be aware of is that border crossing cards used to be referred to as laser visas. Currently, laser visas that were issued before October 1, 2008 will still be valid until the expiration date present on the card.

Do I Need to Hire an Immigration Lawyer for my Border Crossing Card?

While it is not required to hire an immigration lawyer to obtain a border crossing card, this can be a helpful resource. A lawyer can review your eligibility, assist you with the application process, and ensure you do not miss any key steps in obtaining your border crossing card. A lawyer can also help you understand where and when you are limited to travel with your border crossing card and also assist with filling out an I-94 form if necessary.