Frequently Asked Questions

Which travel documents are required in order for a citizen of Mexico to enter the United States?
Where can I obtain information about visa denials? Can I apply again if I was denied?
Do I have to leave my passport at the U.S. Embassy if my visa is approved?
Why wasn’t I issued a “mica” or border- crossing card, like I was issued in the past?
What happens when my passport expires but the visa in my passport is still valid?
How can I find out if my current visa is still valid?
What do I do if my visa was lost or stolen?
Can I renew my visa before it expires or do I have to wait until after its expiration date?
What do I need to wear for the photo?
I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program because I have a European, Japanese, Australian, etc., passport. How do I comply with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)?
What do I need to bring if I’m going for medical treatment in United States?
Is there any way to obtain a visa for my American citizen child?
I live in the United States and I want to help my relatives get a visa to visit me. What can I do to help them?
What do I do if my visa has an error or incorrect information when I receive it?
Where can I turn in my I-94 card that was given to me when I last entered the United States?
What if there is an emergency and I need a visa immediately?
How do I make an appointment for a tourist (non-resident) visa to visit the United States?

Which travel documents are required in order for a citizen of Mexico to enter the United States?

1. If you are a Mexican citizen who will be:

Traveling to the U.S. by air or sea, or
Entering at a land border with the states of Texas, New Mexico, or California with the intention of traveling beyond the 25 mile “border zone”, or
Entering at a the land border with the state of Arizona with the intention of traveling beyond the 70 mile Arizona “border zone”, or
Entering at a land border with the intention of staying in the U.S. for more than 72 hours, even if you plan to stay within the border zone,

You must bring the following documents:

A visa or a Border Crossing Card that is valid on the date that you will enter the U.S. The visa or Border Crossing Card is necessary only for entry into the U.S. and does not have to be valid after the date on which you enter.
A passport that is valid until the date on which you intend to depart the U.S. U.S. immigration authorities will not authorize a period of stay that is longer than the validity of your passport.

2. If you are a Mexican Citizen who will be:

Entering at a land border with the states of Texas, New Mexico, or California and plan to remain within the 25 mile “border zone” for less than 72 hours, or
Entering at a the land border with the state of Arizona and you plan to remain within the 70 mile Arizona border zone for less than 72 hours

You must present the following documents:

A Border Crossing Card that is valid on the date that you enter the U.S. A passport is not necessary if your travel meets the criteria described immediately above.

- OR –
A visa that is valid on the date that you will enter the U.S. The visa is necessary only for entry into the U.S. and does not have to be valid after the date on which you enter, AND
A passport that is valid until the date on which you intend to depart the U.S. U.S. immigration authorities will not authorize a period of stay that is longer than the validity of your passport.

Where can I obtain information about visa denials? Can I apply again if I was denied?

Yes, you can apply again if your visa was denied. The State Department's Visa Office offers information about immigration law and visa denials.

Do I have to leave my passport at the U.S. Embassy if my visa is approved?

Yes, ALL visas issued in Mexico City are placed in the applicant’s passport. The passport and visa are returned via the Messenger Service together.

Why wasn’t I issued a “mica” or border- crossing card, like I was issued in the past?

All visas are now placed inside your passport. They function exactly the same as the older border crossing cards, which are no longer issued at the U.S. Embassy.

What happens when my passport expires but the visa in my passport is still valid?

If the passport expires before the visa, you must travel with two passports (your current passport and the expired passport with the valid visa inside).

How can I find out if my current visa is still valid?

"Indefinite" visas are no longer valid. Visas that are not "indefinite" have an expiration date clearly marked on the visa. After that date, the visa is no longer valid and a new application should be made.

What do I do if my visa was lost or stolen?

You must make a new appointment and obtain a police report from local authorities to bring to the interview.

Can I renew my visa before it expires or do I have to wait until after its expiration date?

Yes, you can apply for the new visa before your previous visa expires. Please note that the previous visa will be cancelled or taken up as part of the process of issuing a new visa.

What do I need to wear for the photo?

All applicants will be photographed at the time of the interview. Please do not wear earrings, hats, glasses or head coverings for the photo. Only minors under the age of 7 that aren’t present at the interview need to attach a photo to the DS-160 form.

I qualify for the Visa Waiver Program because I have a European, Japanese, Australian, etc., passport. How do I comply with the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA)?

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has implemented the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA). ESTA is a fully automated, electronic system for screening passengers before they begin travel to the United States under the Visa Waiver Program. Check more information about the ESTA program.

What do I need to bring if I’m going for medical treatment in United States?

A letter from a doctor in the U.S. authorizing treatment and specifying all costs of the medical care.
Proof of financial solvency to pay for all medical care.

Is there any way to obtain a visa for my American citizen child?

No. American citizens by law cannot be issued visas. If you believe that your child is an American, please click on the following to go to the webpage of the office of passports and citizenship at the embassy.

I live in the United States and I want to help my relatives get a visa to visit me. What can I do to help them?

Individual applicants must qualify for the visa based on their own qualifications. Unless a citizen or resident of the United States is supporting a petition-based work visa application, or an immigrant visa petition, we recommend that you do not try and assist.

What do I do if my visa has an error or incorrect information when I receive it?

Please contact us at visas_mexico@state.govwith your information and we will contact you about how to correct the visa with no further charge.

Where can I turn in my I-94 card that was given to me when I last entered the United States?

If you left the United States with your Form I-94 still in your possession, your departure was not recorded properly. If you do not correct this record or if you cannot reasonably prove that you departed in a timely way when you next apply for admission to the United States, BCIS may conclude you remained in the United States beyond your authorized stay. If this happens, you may be returned immediately to your foreign point of origin.

If you failed to turn in your I-94, please send it - along with any documentation that proves you left the U.S. to:

ACS Inc.
1084 South Laurel Rd.
London, Kentucky 40744
USA

Documentation to prove your departure can include the boarding pass from your flight. If you exited the country by a land border it is much harder to verify that you did- in fact - leave the country on the date you claim. If you have any documentation of your arrival in your home country (i.e. passport stamp), then you should send a copy of that. If the above office does not have any supporting documents to substantiate your claim to have left the U.S. on a certain date, there is no guarantee that you will be entered into the record as having done so. We strongly urge you to keep a copy of what you send to ACS Inc. and to carry it with you the next time you come to the U.S. in case the CBP officer has any questions about your eligibility to enter.

For more infomration please visit the CBP website.

What if there is an emergency and I need a visa immediately?
Go to Emergencies (also in the left column)

How do I make an appointment for a tourist (non-resident) visa to visit the United States?

Go to How to Apply (also in the left column)