Crossing into the U.S. just got more expensive for many travelers going beyond the border zone

Travelers who cross from Mexico into South Texas and plan to go beyond the Rio Grande Valley now face higher costs after the fee for the I-94 entry document rose from $6 to $30 on Tuesday, according to a notice in the Federal Register.

The change amounts to a 400% increase for people who need the paperwork to travel past the immediate border area. 

U.S. Customs and Border Protection said the hike is part of a new federal law: HR-1, known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act.” Federal officials outlined the change in a rule published Aug. 28 in the Federal Register.

The I-94 paperwork, issued at the border, records when a visitor from another country enters the United States and shows how long they are allowed to stay. 

People crossing by land — most often Mexican nationals — need it if they want to travel past the border zone and cannot rely only on a border crossing card.

At airports and seaports, the document is usually created automatically from passenger lists, so most travelers arriving by plane or ship do not pay directly for it.

Travelers can request the form online before crossing or get it at the port of entry.

More information:

• https://i94.cbp.dhs.gov/home
  
• www.federalregister.gov