US-VISIT Biometric Procedures: Applicability to Mexican Citizens

• Most Mexican citizens who travel to and from the United States regularly use a multi-use travel document, B1/B2 visa/Border Crossing Card (BCC), also known as a “laser visa,” which serves as either a BCC or a B1/B2 visa. Initially, these Mexican citizens who use the travel document only as a BCC will not be subject to US-VISIT procedures. This is an interim solution for the land border while the Department explores a long-term solution to record the entry and exit of visitors crossing our land border ports of entry.

• Currently, if a Mexican citizen chooses to use the BCC as a B1/B2 visa (traveling outside the “border zone” and/or staying longer than 30 days in the United States), he or she must complete a Form I-94 and then be processed through US-VISIT in secondary inspection areas at the land border ports of entry at that time.

• Mexicans citizens who participate in SENTRI (Secured Electronic Network for Travelers’ Rapid Inspection) and/or FAST (Free and Secure Trade) will not be enrolled in US-VISIT until they are required to re-register as part of the routine processing to renew a multiple-entry Form I-94.

• Multiple-entry Form I-94s will continue to be issued as before. All current, valid Forms I-94 remain in effect and the US-VISIT biometric collection requirements will apply either at the time of the next issuance of the Form I-94 or at any time at the discretion of the Customs and Border Protection Officer.

• Children under 14 and people over the age of 79 are exempt.

Note: Customs and Border Protection Officers always have the discretion to refer a visitor for US-VISIT processing as part of the inspections process if there is a concern about the nature of travel.