A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. In july of 2008, due to requests from residents along us borders for a more portable and easier application process than a regular passport, the united states department of state began issuing passport cards, a wallet sized identity card usable for international travel by land and sea, valid only for travel to canada, mexico, the. Passport cards are significantly cheaper than passports, but dont have the same power. The us passport card is good for land and sea travel from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean into the united states. Complete online and submit form ds82 available using the online passport wizard.
The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. On the other hand, passport cards cant permit anyone to travel internationally by air. Most importantly, a us passport card cant be used for international air travel.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. The passport card is valid for 5 years or until your passport book. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. This includes id cards, drivers license, and passport for travel. Here are the countries and territories where a us passport card is valid. If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. 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. Us passport guide was designed to be a comprehensive online portal for all of your passport, visa and travel needs. Additionally, for states that do not yet comply with the real id act of 200. Please note intl visa service is not a government agency. Us passport cards are technically passports, but they are much more limited in their usability. Candidates are required to bring along their identity card or passport for.
They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Update new passport number updated please submit a scanned copy of your passport and a copy of your student card here. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The passport card is a walletsize card that can only be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. The purpose of the passport card is to offer a more convenient option than a regular passport book for us residents who frequently cross the border, typically by. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. You can use the irish passport card for travel within the european union and. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, effective march 20, we have limited u.
Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. 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. International students are required to notify ica if there is any change in their passport particulars or place. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the. Passport book vs passport card i f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. All passport cards will be returned using first class mail.
It can be used for domestic air travel and land border crossings and sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. A us passport allows you to travel anywhere in the world by plane, car, or boat.
If you are like my family and friends, you are curious as to the differences between the new us passport cards and the more traditional us passport books. 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. We want you to know about a few differences between the book. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. At the size of a drivers license, it is very portable. I currently have a passport card that was issued in june 2009. No candidate is allowed to bring books or papers into the examination hall.
Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out which one is best for you, or if you should have both documents. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the u. A us passport card is a passport product, much like a us passport book. 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. When closed, the size of a passport book is 5 inches by 3.
The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. 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. 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. Us passport book and passport card online application.
The passport book can be obtained as a new passport or if you currently have a passport book you will be eligible for renewal to make sure your passport book has six months of validity. If youre a united states citizen with a big international trip coming up and have questions about where to go to obtain a new united states passport, the proper procedure to use to get new blank visa pages or if you have. United states passports are passports issued to citizens and nationals of the united states of america. A service fee will be associated with each order in addition to the government and shipping fees. You cannot use the us passport card for air travel at all. Unless you have a lifeordeath emergency, you should wait to apply for or renew your passport until we resume normal operations.
Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u. Firsttime passport card applicants who do not have a passport book traditional passport must go in person to a passport application facility, such as a post office or courthouse, and submit a completed passport application form, proof of us citizenship, one. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to barbados. The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise. Learn more on our covid19 update page and our frequently asked questions page. They have many pages for visas and arrival and departure stamps. Us passport card how well do you protect your personally. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has. Additional fees may apply for specific passport requests. Besides passports in booklet form, limited use passport cards are issued by the same government agency subject to the same requirements. Our website will assist you in filling in your application and we also offer a live chat free service, should you have any queries or need any online help.
Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. 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.
The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The passport card does serve a purpose as a secondary form of photo identification and proof of u. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. When it comes to us passport card versus passport book, the winner will depend on your need.
What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Besides passports, limited use passport cards and are issued by the same organization subject to the same requirements. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. 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. In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. You can learn the difference in this article as well as other important details about it. Issued also by the us department of state, the passport card is a official identification document, but a limitedtravel document.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. Home administrative policies procedures responsibility for noticescirculars and updates of personal particulars. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. A passport book is used for international travel by air, sea, or land which can be used for domestic air travel also. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. A passport book may not be a massive document by any means, but having something as small as the card to fit in your wallet is definitely less of a hassle. I will be needing to get a passport book within the next couple of years so i can travel to barbados. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. We are an independent entity providing assistance to obtain passports. We are a privately owned website that is not affiliated with, owned or operated by the us government.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. Difference between passport book and passport card. There is also a difference in price between passport books and passport cards. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. It contains several pages like the passport details page which provides the holders name,date of birth, passport expiry date etc as well as other blank pages for visa and immigration stamping a passport card is a portable pocket sized card similar to a credit card that fits in your wallet. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. If you already hold a passport book, your card will.
Passport cards are wallet sized while the passport book is larger and thicker. Change of place of residence or passport particulars. Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. What are the differences between a passport book vs. See below the differences between a passport book vs. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. While most countries in the world issue one passport for national and international travel, the u. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book.
The us passport card is not the same as a us passport book. If youre thinking of going on a cruise, the passport card might be nice when you need a from of identification to get on and off the ship. Though its typically overshadowed by the passport, a u. My wife and i are planning a trip to mexico in the fall of 2014, and i am trying to figure this out. You must renew your passport book at the same time that your apply for your passport card so your passport book and card have the same number. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport, but renewing them every 5 yea. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsof. Differences between a passport book and passport card. 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. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u.
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