You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry.
In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. What is the difference between a passport card or book. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. The passport book allows the holder to travel worldwide with proper visa and documentation, while the passport card only allows the holder to travel to and fro neighboring countries such as canada, mexico, bahamas and the caribbean. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to indicate that you would like to apply for both products.
But a passport card is only good if going to canada and mexico by land car or on foot not sure by bus. Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. Will my passport card have the same number as my passport book. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. The us passport card allows you to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at sea ports of entry, land border crossings and is more convenient and cheaper than a passport book. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Passport card for a reduced fee if you only plan to travel by land or sea to and from canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations. May 11, 2017 from passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you.
See below the differences between a passport book vs. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book. Yes you may use passport cards for all land travel. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. Validity of a passport book is 10 years for adults, 5 years for minors under age 16 the size of a passport book is approximately 5 x 3. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. The passport book is accepted for any form of international travel and is also the document that holds your visas. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Passport card is a travel document that can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. The passport card is only for land and sea travel, which means there is no way travelers can use the passport card to board a plane. What is the difference between a passport card number and.
I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. But the passport book that most americans are familiar with isnt the only kind of travel document available in the us theres also the passport card, which is made of plastic and is about the. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Passport cards are applied for and issued in your home country. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. Jun 16, 2016 passport cards are a card sized version of a us passport. A passport book functions in all ways a passport card is used and there is no need to obtain a passport card if you already have a passport book. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport.
Many passport application acceptance facilities, which include libraries, clerks of court, and post offices, are not accepting u. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. You can apply for both a passport book and passport card at the same time using either form ds11 apply in person or form ds82 renew by mail must be eligible. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a size similar to a laminated stateissued drivers license. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Like the passport, the passport card is valid for 10 years for adults and for 5 years for minors under the age of 16. In such situations, a passport card comes in handy because it is the size of a credit card and fits nicely in a wallet. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. The fee to obtain a passport card and passport book also changes. The passport card is valid for up to 10 years if you are an adult, and allows you virtually unlimited travel to the caribbean, bermuda, mexico, and. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Jun 23, 2009 the walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. Passport book is valid for air, land and sea travel. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. Note that it cannot be used for international air travel. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases.
Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. It can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, and many caribbean islands, but it is not valid for any international travel by air. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the.
The card provides a smaller, more convenient, and less expensive alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or sea. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Passport book the passport book is designed to be used for all types of international travel. Aug 22, 2016 passport card is a walletsize travel document that can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean whereas a passport book can be used for international travel to all destinations by air, land, or sea. Differences between passport book and passport card.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. What is the difference between a passport card number and a. Feb 21, 2008 the passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. You can carry your passport card with you at all times and leave the passport book safe in the hotel room locker. The passport book and the passport card are two different unique documents with unique number. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport. A us passport card can be used for ground border crossings between the us and canada and the us and mexico, and for some water. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the united states federal government in the size of a credit card. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. This is perhaps unsurprising, seeing as how a passport card lacks the blank pages of the passport book because it is nothing more than the size of a standard id card. The us passport card cannot be used for international air travel. As of march 25, 2020, post offices which are still accepting applications are requiring customers to make an online appointment to apply in. The passport card is also a valid form of id so it is useful to have it on you at all times when traveling abroad. An adult applying for a us passport renewal or firsttime passport can receive a card valid for ten years.
Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. I called the passport agency at 8774872778 to confirm thistwice. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. The passport card is smaller when compared to the size of passport book. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document.
You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages.
Whats the difference between a passport and a passport card. The difference between passport and passport card us. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us confused as to which one we should apply. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. So it is a convenient alternative for, say, people who frequently take the cartrainbus into canada. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. Our guide will show you the uses and advantages of each document, and will help you figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or ports of entry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda.
A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Your passport number is at the top right corner of the page your photo is on. We want you to know about a few differences between the book. Difference between passport book and passport card u. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. A passport card serves as official identification and proof of your us citizenship. Difference between passport book and passport card. You must have the original copies of all required documents. If you are flying by plane, a cape, a giant eagle, or anything for that matter, you have to get the passport book. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Apply for a passport card bureau of consular affairs us. Adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years and cards issued to children under 16 years of age for five years. The passport card is not valid for international air travel. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country.
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