Mexico: The requirements, guidelines and procedures for a Mexican citizen to obtain a U.S. Border Crossing Card, including the documents that are required, the reasons for issuance, the fee and the average processing time
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 June 1998 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | MEX29500.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Mexico: The requirements, guidelines and procedures for a Mexican citizen to obtain a U.S. Border Crossing Card, including the documents that are required, the reasons for issuance, the fee and the average processing time, 1 June 1998, MEX29500.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ab0b54.html [accessed 18 October 2022] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was provided by a Chief Inspector at the Department of Inspections, Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS), in a 5 June 1998 telephone interview with the Research Directorate.
As of April 1998, the U.S. Department of State has taken over the role of adjudicator for the U.S. Border Crossing Card from the INS. However, while the Department of State now approves applications for the U.S Border Crossing Card, the INS still issues the card.
The U.S. Border Crossing Card, a card that is valid for a ten year period, is issued at all American consular offices in Mexico. The application form to be completed is very similar to that of the non-immigrant visa application form. In addition to filling out the application form, the Mexican citizen would be required to provide documents such as a Mexican passport, proof of economic solvency, and proof of residency or property. Mexicans would also have to be interviewed by an consular official and have two fingerprints captured, which would then be encoded on the card. Once these procedures are completed, the application forms are sent to the Department of State for approval and then to the INS for issuance. The cards are then sent back to the American consular offices for remittance. The fee for obtaining the card is US$45 and the average processing time is two weeks.
Most Mexicans who request the U.S. Border Crossing Card are for shopping or sightseeing purposes. The card can be issued for business, but this is less common than shopping or sightseeing. The card would not be issued for educational purposes given that there is a separate student visa for such cases.
It is the intent of the U.S. Department of State to eliminate visas for Mexicans all-together and to issue only the U.S. Border Crossing Card in about one year's time.
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
Reference
Inspections, Immigration and Naturalisation Service (INS), Washington. 5 June 1998. Telephone interview with a Chief Inspector.
