NonimmigrantMexico onlyB-1/B-2 visa10-year cardForm DS-160

BCC Border Crossing Card

A laminated card (Form DSP-150) that is both a B-1/B-2 visitor visa and a border crossing document, issued only to Mexican citizens who live in Mexico.

Last reviewed Oct 1, 2026Sources: State Department · eCFRReport an error

At a glance

Who can apply: Mexican citizens resident in Mexico only
Card validity: Generally 10 years
Fee, age 15 and over: $185
Fee, under 15 (reduced): $15; card expires on the 15th birthday
Border-zone visits without I-94: Up to 30 days within 25 miles (75 in Arizona, 55 in New Mexico)
Beyond the zone or longer: Form I-94 required; $30 at a land port

Some renewals may skip the interview. Under the State Department’s interview-waiver update effective Oct. 1, 2025, Mexican applicants renewing a Border Crossing Card or B-1/B-2 visa within 12 months of the prior card’s expiration may be considered for an interview waiver if the prior card was issued for full validity and they were at least 18 when it was issued, have never been refused (unless overcome) and show no ineligibility. Consular officers can still require an interview.

Overview

Form DSP-150 is both a Border Crossing Card and a B1/B2 visitor visa, usually just called a BCC. It is issued as a credit-card-sized laminated card with a machine-readable biometric identifier by consular officers in Mexico (22 CFR 41.32). Section 104 of the Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996 is its legal basis.

For an arrival from Mexico at a land port of entry, or by pleasure vessel or ferry, the card is accepted in place of both a visa and a passport for a temporary business or pleasure visit. Cardholders admitted this way do not need a Form I-94 if they stay 30 days or less and remain within 25 miles of the border — extended to 75 miles in Arizona (entries at Sasabe, Nogales, Mariposa, Naco or Douglas) and to 55 miles in New Mexico or the area south of Interstate 10, whichever is further north.

Travel beyond the border zone, or for longer than 30 days, requires a Form I-94 used together with the card. For other arrivals, such as by air, the passport rules apply and the card serves as the B-1/B-2 visa. The card can be revoked or voided, for example if the holder violates the conditions of admission or stops being a citizen or resident of Mexico (22 CFR 41.32).

Who qualifies

Applicants must

Be a citizen of and resident in Mexico.
Meet the eligibility standards for a B-1 and/or B-2 visa and plan stays of no more than six months.
Show ties to Mexico that would compel return after a temporary stay.
Hold a valid Mexican passport at the time of application.

Permitted activities

The same as a B-1/B-2 visitor: for example, consulting with business associates, attending conferences, tourism, visiting friends or relatives, and medical treatment (State Department examples).
Employment, study and permanent residence are not permitted.

Duration & extensions

Card validity	Generally 10 years from issuance; reduced-fee cards for children expire on the child’s 15th birthday.
Border-zone admission	Up to 30 days within the 25-mile zone (75 miles in Arizona, 55 miles or south of I-10 in New Mexico) without an I-94.
Wider travel	With a Form I-94, the visitor is admitted as a B-1/B-2 for the period CBP sets.
Revocation	A consular or immigration officer may revoke or void the card, e.g. after a violation of admission conditions.

Fees

Department of State fees for the card, plus the CBP fee for an I-94 when traveling beyond the border zone.

Fee	Amount	Who pays	Notes
BCC, age 15 and over (10-year validity)	$185	Applicant	Same amount in 22 CFR 22.1, item 21(e).
BCC, under age 15	$15	Applicant’s parent	Only if a parent or guardian has or is applying for a BCC; valid until the 15th birthday. Paying the full fee gives a 10-year card.
Form I-94 at a land port of entry	$30	Traveler	$6 land-border fee plus $24 HR-1 fee, charged since Sept. 30, 2025; unchanged for FY 2027.
Expedited B-visa appointment (optional pilot)	$750	Applicant	Mission Mexico joined the pilot on July 21, 2026 (through Dec. 31, 2026) for eligible B-visa applicants; non-refundable.
Visa Integrity Fee	$250 (statutory minimum)	Applicant	Pub. L. 119-21 sec. 100007 requires it at issuance of a nonimmigrant visa. The State Department fee page did not list it as of Oct. 1, 2026; follow consular payment instructions.

A reciprocity issuance fee may also apply depending on nationality (State Department).

Processing time

Interview: Generally required; Some full-validity renewals within 12 months of expiry may be waived (State Dept.).
Expedited appointment: Within 10 business days; Optional $750 B-visa pilot at Mission Mexico, subject to availability.

Appointment wait times vary by consular post in Mexico; applicants follow the procedures on the websites of the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico.

Application steps

1
Complete Form DS-160
Fill in the online nonimmigrant visa application and upload a photo.
2
Pay the fee
$185 for applicants 15 and over, or $15 for an eligible child under 15.
3
Schedule appointments
Book biometrics and interview through the U.S. Embassy and Consulates in Mexico; check whether a renewal qualifies for an interview waiver.
4
Attend the interview
Show the valid Mexican passport and evidence of ties to Mexico.
5
Receive the card
If approved, the DSP-150 card is produced and returned under the post’s delivery arrangements.
6
Cross the border
Present the card at the land port; request an I-94 if traveling beyond the border zone or for more than 30 days.

Required documents

From the applicant

Valid Mexican passport.
DS-160 confirmation page and fee receipt.
Evidence of residence and ties in Mexico (work, family, property).
For a reduced-fee child card: proof that a parent holds or is applying for a BCC.

Dependents & family

There is no dependent classification: each family member applies for their own card. Children under 15 can get a reduced-fee card if at least one parent has or is applying for a BCC.

Path to a green card

A BCC is a temporary visitor document and does not lead to permanent residence. Immigrating requires a separate immigrant visa or other basis, such as a family or employment petition.

B-2

Tourist visitor visa

The BCC also functions as a B-1/B-2 visa.

B-1

Business visitor visa

Business visits on the same card.

USMCA professional

For Mexican professionals coming to work.

VWP / ESTA

Visa Waiver Program

Visa-free visits for 42 other countries.

Common questions

Who can get a Border Crossing Card?

Only citizens of Mexico who live in Mexico and who qualify for a B-1/B-2 visitor visa and show ties to Mexico.

How far into the U.S. can I go with only the card?

Without an I-94, up to 25 miles from the border (75 miles in parts of Arizona, 55 miles or south of I-10 in New Mexico) for up to 30 days. Beyond that, an I-94 is required.

How much does a BCC cost?

$185 for applicants 15 and over; $15 for a child under 15 when a parent has or is applying for a BCC (that card expires at age 15).

Can I fly to a U.S. city with my BCC?

The card is also a B-1/B-2 visa. The passport exemption in 8 CFR 212.1(c) covers arrivals from Mexico at land ports, by pleasure vessel or ferry, so other arrivals are subject to the normal passport requirement.

Official sources

Recent changes

Oct 1, 2026
Land-border I-94 fee stays at $30. FY 2027 inflation notice leaves the $30 land-border I-94 fee unchanged. Source ↗
Jul 21, 2026
Paid expedited B-visa appointments in Mexico. Mission Mexico launched the optional $750 expedited appointment pilot for eligible B-visa applicants, running through Dec. 31, 2026. Source ↗
Sep 30, 2025
Land-border I-94 fee rises to $30. A $24 HR-1 fee was added to the $6 land-border I-94 fee. Source ↗
Sep 18, 2025
Interview waivers narrowed; BCC renewals still eligible. From Oct. 1, 2025 most applicants need an interview; full-validity B-1/B-2 or BCC renewals within 12 months of expiry by applicants 18 or older remain eligible for a waiver. Source ↗

This page is general reference material compiled from the official sources above and is not legal advice. Eligibility depends on individual facts; rules and fees change, so confirm with the agency before you file. VisaTypes.com is not affiliated with USCIS, the Department of State or any government agency. Spotted an error? Tell us.