A Border Crossing Card (BCC) is an identity document used by nationals of Mexico to enter the United States. As a standalone document, the BCC allows its holder to visit the border areas of the United States when entering by land or sea directly from Mexico for up to 30 days.[1][2] The document also functions as a B1/B2 visa when presented with a valid Mexican passport, for entry to any part of the United States by any means of transportation.[3][4]
The front of the updated version of the Border Crossing Card
Since 1953, Mexico and the United States have agreed to make special accommodations for Mexican nationals who cross the Mexico–United States border 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.[5]
In 1982, the border zone that may be visited with a BCC was defined as the area within 25 miles (40 km) from the border. In 1999, the portion of the zone in Arizona was expanded to 75 miles (121 km) from the border. In 2004, the allowed period of stay in the border zone with a BCC was expanded from 72 hours to 30 days.[5] In 2013, the portion of the zone in New Mexico was expanded to 55 miles (89 km) from the border or up to Interstate 10.[1]
Eligibilityedit
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 B visa, including demonstrating their ties to Mexico that would compel them to return after a temporary stay in the United States.[6]
Descriptionedit
The first generation of machine-readable BCCs, known as "laser visas",[7] was produced from April 1, 1998, until September 30, 2008. The laminated, credit card-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 U.S. permanent resident card.
October 1, 2008, marked the beginning of production of a second generation B1/B2 visa/BCC. The new card is similar in size to the old BCC, but contains enhanced graphics and technology. The original BCC was produced by the now defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service but the current card is produced by the Department of State.[8] It is virtually identical to the U.S. passport card, 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 RFID chip and integrated contactless circuit and is part of the same PASS system as the passport card.[9]
Useedit
As a standalone document, the BCC allows its holder to visit the following border areas of the United States when entering by land or sea, for up to 30 days:[1][2]
When presented with a Mexican passport, the BCC functions as a B visa, accepted for entry to any part of the United States by any means of transportation.[3][4]
^ abcExtension of Border Zone in the State of New Mexico, Federal Register, 12 June 2013.
^ ab8 CFR §235.1, Scope of examination, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
^ ab"The Border Crossing Card (BCC) - What documents do I need as a Mexican national to visit the United States?". U.S. Customs and Border Protection. 12 December 2020. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^ ab8 CFR §212.1, Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants, Electronic Code of Federal Regulations.
^ ab"Extension of Border Zone in the State of New Mexico". Federal Register. 9 August 2012. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^"Border Crossing Card". U.S. Department of State. Retrieved 7 April 2021.
^Branigin, William (18 February 1998). "High-tech ID cards planned for use on Mexican border". The Washington Post. Retrieved 27 March 2019.
^. United States Consulate, Monterrey, Mexico. October 1, 2008. Archived from the original on July 21, 2011. Retrieved February 8, 2011.
^(PDF). July 10, 2009. Archived from the original (PDF) on January 28, 2011. Retrieved March 27, 2019.
External linksedit
December 15, 2023
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A Border Crossing Card BCC is an identity document used by nationals of Mexico to enter the United States As a standalone document the BCC allows its holder to visit the border areas of the United States when entering by land or sea directly from Mexico for up to 30 days 1 2 The document also functions as a B1 B2 visa when presented with a valid Mexican passport for entry to any part of the United States by any means of transportation 3 4 The front of the updated version of the Border Crossing Card Contents 1 History 2 Eligibility 3 Description 4 Use 5 See also 6 References 7 External linksHistory editSince 1953 Mexico and the United States have agreed to make special accommodations for Mexican nationals who cross the Mexico United States border 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 5 In 1982 the border zone that may be visited with a BCC was defined as the area within 25 miles 40 km from the border In 1999 the portion of the zone in Arizona was expanded to 75 miles 121 km from the border In 2004 the allowed period of stay in the border zone with a BCC was expanded from 72 hours to 30 days 5 In 2013 the portion of the zone in New Mexico was expanded to 55 miles 89 km from the border or up to Interstate 10 1 Eligibility editThe 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 B visa including demonstrating their ties to Mexico that would compel them to return after a temporary stay in the United States 6 Description editThe first generation of machine readable BCCs known as laser visas 7 was produced from April 1 1998 until September 30 2008 The laminated credit card 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 U S permanent resident card October 1 2008 marked the beginning of production of a second generation B1 B2 visa BCC The new card is similar in size to the old BCC but contains enhanced graphics and technology The original BCC was produced by the now defunct Immigration and Naturalization Service but the current card is produced by the Department of State 8 It is virtually identical to the U S passport card 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 RFID chip and integrated contactless circuit and is part of the same PASS system as the passport card 9 Use editAs a standalone document the BCC allows its holder to visit the following border areas of the United States when entering by land or sea for up to 30 days 1 2 California within 25 miles 40 km of the border Arizona within 75 miles 121 km of the border New Mexico within 55 miles 89 km of the border or up to Interstate 10 whichever is further north Texas within 25 miles 40 km of the borderWhen presented with a Mexican passport the BCC functions as a B visa accepted for entry to any part of the United States by any means of transportation 3 4 See also editB visa Enhanced driver s license NEXUS card United States Passport CardReferences edit a b c Extension of Border Zone in the State of New Mexico Federal Register 12 June 2013 a b 8 CFR 235 1 Scope of examination Electronic Code of Federal Regulations a b The Border Crossing Card BCC What documents do I need as a Mexican national to visit the United States U S Customs and Border Protection 12 December 2020 Retrieved 7 April 2021 a b 8 CFR 212 1 Documentary requirements for nonimmigrants Electronic Code of Federal Regulations a b Extension of Border Zone in the State of New Mexico Federal Register 9 August 2012 Retrieved 7 April 2021 Border Crossing Card U S Department of State Retrieved 7 April 2021 Branigin William 18 February 1998 High tech ID cards planned for use on Mexican border The Washington Post Retrieved 27 March 2019 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 Forensic Document Laboratory Alert Counterfeit DSP 150s PDF July 10 2009 Archived from the original PDF on January 28 2011 Retrieved March 27 2019 External links editBorder Crossing Card What is a U S Visa About Visas The Basics Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Border Crossing Card amp oldid 1158908812, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
