The US B1/B2 visa for Mexican citizens has several features that distinguish it from similar visas for citizens of other countries.
The American guest state visa for Mexicans is not pasted into the passport, but is issued in the form of a plastic card, similar to a bank card. Its official name is — Border Crossing Card (BCC), but it is also called a «Laser visa» (Laser Visa, Visa láser). The plastic format is only applicable to Mexican citizens. Map — with photo and embedded biographical and biometric data.
The validity period of such a US visa is — 10 years, including children. Visa fee — the same 185 US dollars as for citizens of other countries. Children receiving a reduced visa rate (up to 15 years of age) may be issued a visa valid only until their 15th birthday.
The procedure for acquiring a US visa for Mexican citizens is practically no different from that for citizens of other countries. However, in Mexico, interviews are more focused on the analysis of an oral interview. Mexicans are almost never required to provide any proof, especially financial. But the factor of «family migration» check especially carefully — Do you have relatives living in the US illegally? In addition, the duration of previous trips and attempts to work in the United States are checked.
Mexico B1/B2 visa refusal rate — one of the lowest in the world among large applicant countries. The average, according to the State Department, fluctuates between 10-15% in different years, often — lower than neighboring Central American countries, where failure rates can exceed 40-60%. However, this does not mean guaranteed approval, especially if ties with Mexico are weak and there have been violations during previous trips.
Extending a US visa for Mexicans besides this does not present any problems. Most often, an interview is not necessary. Without an interview, it is possible to extend a visa if the previous visa expired less than 48 months ago, there were no entry violations, and biometrics have already been submitted. Extension is done by submitting documentation to CAS (applicant service centers). If a Mexican has been using a visa for many years without violations and renews it on time, the consulates treat the applicant as “low risk.”
When entering the United States, you must present a plastic visa and a valid passport. The officer scans the card, checks the data and records entry in the electronic database.
At the Mexico-US land border:
If you are entering within the border zone and for a short period of time:
- entry is registered electronically by scanning a plastic visa,
- They don’t put a stamp in your passport,
- you can stay in Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas within 25 miles (40 km) of the border for up to 30 days,
If you are entering for a long period of time or beyond the border zone, you are processed as an ordinary visitor:
- put an entry stamp on your passport,
- create electronic entry registration (I-94).
Upon air arrival in the USA:
- entry is recorded through the CBP system,
- They put an entry stamp on your passport.
Even if the passport is not stamped, the entry of a Mexican citizen with a plastic visa is still recorded electronically.