Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona allow eligible travelers to enter without a passport or U.S. visa using Form DSP-150

Most foreign nationals entering the United States must show a passport and visa to Customs and Border Protection officers. But in Arizona, California, New Mexico, and Texas, eligible Mexican citizens and legal residents can cross legally using a different document, without presenting either one.

Known officially as Form DSP-150, the Border Crossing Card is commonly called the “laser card.” The United States began signing bilateral agreements to facilitate entry for citizens of neighboring countries in 1953, and the current card format came into use in 1998. It resembles a credit card and has a validity period similar to that of B-1/B-2 visas, but it comes with strict limits.

The card does not provide general entry for all foreign nationals. Applicants must qualify, enter through designated checkpoints, and follow the authorized period of stay. The final decision always rests with CBP officers, whether the holder enters through a land border or an airport.

The BCC is valid for 10 years for people over 15. It allows a stay of up to six months, with travel restricted to specified distances from the border: 75 miles in Arizona, 25 miles in California, 55 miles in New Mexico, and 25 miles in Texas.

Applications are processed at U.S. consulates in Mexico. Officials assess whether applicants have family or employment ties that would lead them to return after a temporary stay. The fees are $185 for applicants over 15, with a 10-year validity period, and $15 for younger applicants when a parent or guardian already holds the card or applies for one. A child’s card remains valid for 10 years or until the applicant turns 15.