Updated U.S. Border Crossing Card Visa

Monterrey, NL October 1, 2008 --- On the occasion of the visit to Monterrey of Ambassador Michael Kirby, the Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Consular Affairs in the U.S. Department of State, the U.S. Consulate General in Monterrey is pleased to announce that beginning October 1, 2008, the format of the Border Crossing Card (BCC), commonly referred to as a “laser visa,” will change.  All currently valid BCCs remain valid until the expiration dates on the BCCs.  Therefore, travelers with current BCCs do not need to apply for new visas.

The new border crossing card being issued by the U.S. Department of State in cooperation with the Department of Homeland Security is a credit card-sized plastic card that conveys the same purpose and effect as a B1/B2 Visa foil.  However, the Border Crossing Card will be issued only to Mexican nationals.  The purpose of the BCC is to facilitate travel and inspection at land border crossings for Mexican nationals in general, and especially to facilitate frequent crossings for those persons living in Mexican border communities along the southwestern tier of the United States.  The BCC permits the bearer to travel to the U.S. for tourism and/or business but does not authorize employment in the United States.

Like the U.S. Passport Card, the new BCC will contain a radio frequency identification chip (RFID chip) and an integrated contactless circuit (ICC) antenna, which will be recognized by DHS’ PASS System and will respond with a unique ‘read-only’ electronic number.  No BCC card recipient’s personal information is written to the RFID chip itself.

For further information about visas and the regulations coming into force to facilitate and govern travel and inspection under the terms of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative (WHTI), please visit the Department of State’s website located at www.travel.state.gov