Ive tried searching on the passport card threads, but if this specific question has been discussed ive managed to miss it. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states who are applying for a passport for the first time. It was introduced on july 18th, 2008 and over 7 million passport cards have been issued since then. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. The passport card is not valid for international air travel. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. The card cant be used for international air travel.
Is it worth it to get a passport card if you are already. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card. You cannot use the passport book for international flights. 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 which countries can be accessed with us passport cards. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda.
The purpose of the passport card is for travelers that are going to canada, mexico, or the caribbean by land or by sea. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Difference between passport book and passport card can be a new subject to you if you are not a citizen of the united states of america. The card will provide a less expensive, smaller, and more convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these destinations by land or by sea. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. The difference between passport and passport card us. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. 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.
When it comes to us passport card versus passport book, the winner will depend on your need. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas that are meant for travel visas and country entry and exit stamps.
Passport books are valid for travel by united states. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. It has several pages for visas and travel documents. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. This small book with around 1015 pages catalogues all the. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Visa is an official document that is issued as permission for entering and residing a country.
What is the differences between passport book vs passport. What is the difference between a passport card number and. 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. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. 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 convenient and less expensive than a passport book. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that.
Apply for a passport card united states department of state. However, when they went to apply for new passports, the clerk steered them toward ordering one of the walletsized new passport cards. 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. 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. I would get the passport book or nothing the birth certificate and the passport card seem equal in value to me you cant fly home with either, and that would be the point of getting the passport book if there is an emergency and you are in a foreign country, you cannot get on an airplane without a passport book, period, so it seems like a. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The passport card is a walletsize travel document that can only be used to reenter the united states at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you reenter the u.
The passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. Differences between a passport book and passport card. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. The passport book is a thin cardboard cover with your picture and information inside it. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Along with allowing for international travel, passports can be used to prove your identity and citizenship, especially when you need multiple forms of identification. What is the difference between a passport book and. 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 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. Ive heard, however, its better to apply for them separately because if you apply at the same time, both the book and the card will have the same number and if you lose one of them, the other becomes invalid when you report the loss. A passport is a document that is issued by the national government that is used as a personal identification when travelling abroad. Difference between a passport book and passport card. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
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. Differences between passport book and passport card. 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. See below the differences between a passport book vs.
It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. Additionally, the passport card is a lot more economical than a traditional passport. Please note that cruise lines recommend that all cruise passengers hold a passport book in case an emergency requires that you be returned to the us by air. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Now, the us citizens have an option of applying for a passport book or passport card, or even both. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more.
Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Us passport card versus passport book 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 traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes.
Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. I called the passport agency at 8774872778 to confirm thistwice. Adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years and cards issued to children under 16 years of age for five years. In october 2015, ireland became one of the first countries in the world to launch a passport card. The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more. You must have the original copies of all required documents.
The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. 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. Sailors and yachtsmen who sail in international waters between the us, canada, mexico and the caribbean. Id seen the passport card discussed and pitched when it was new primarily as a lighter option for people who only travel between the us. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u.
Launching the irish passport card department of foreign. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. Check with the consulate for the country you are flying to or the website for the ministry of foreign affairs whether you require a passport or national identity card. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Passport cards allow entry from canada, mexico, caribbean. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
S citizens that want to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. One of the most important differences between the two is that passport book has been in use for longer time than the passport card. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a size similar to a laminated stateissued drivers license. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. Difference between visa and passport visa vs passport.
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. Apparently, neither the clerk nor the housleys was aware of one of the crucial differences between a passport book and a passport card. 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. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. The passport card allows irish citizens to travel to 31 countries, including european union member states, the european economic area eea countries, and switzerland, without needing to carry their passport book. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. A passport card is only good for travel by land and sea, not by plane. However, it is essential to understand what the differences between the two are. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. 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 passport card or formally known as the people access security service card pass is small in size compared to a passport. If you live abroad and want to apply for a passport or id card at schiphol airport, you can make an appointment to go to the passport desk of the municipality of. The dutch government does not require you to report the theft or loss of your passport to the police. 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. Passport book is the common book that is essential for traveling from one country to another country. Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. American citizens can apply for a passport card at the same time they apply for a passport book. If you are flying by plane, a cape, a giant eagle, or anything for that matter, you have to get the passport book. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Passport or identity card lost or stolen abroad urgent assistance. 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. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport.
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