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 passport book comes in both a standard, 24page version and a bigger, 52page version for those who travel frequently. Passport card vs passport book canada immigration forum. Oct 07, 2017 whether you get the passport book card both are valid for 10 years. Some people are confused with the differences between a passport book and a passport card.
Differences between passport book and passport card tweet key difference. The passport card is a wallet side document that will be used to expedite document processing from the u. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. The passport card is not good for any international air travel, and can only be used for ground or sea entry from canada, mexico, and select caribbean countries. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. I will be traveling this february to mexico cruise and would prefer to renew my passport just in case of an emergency. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book.
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. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. During your cruise, keep your passport card or book in your cabin safe, and simply carry a photocopy of it when walking around in port, in case of an emergency. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The difference between passport and passport card us. However, if you get a passport card, it cannot be used for travel by air. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. The us passport card does not contain any travel history and therefore officers should request a us passport book unless they are otherwise satisfied that the applicant continues to satisfy the residence requirement. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a.
If you got any questions about whether you need a passport book or card, please contact travel visa pro we are always ready to help you. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and caribbean countries and territories see the full list. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. 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. A us passport allows you to travel anywhere in the world by plane, car, or boat. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport.
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. The daughter booked everything through an online travel agency ota, which i will not name, but an ota is continue reading passport card vs. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. People who scrimp on just the card rather than the book while going on a cruise, face problems if they get seriously ill. Difference between passport book and passport card. A passport book is a product of the federal government. These come in the form of a traditional passport book, along with a passport card. You have the freedom to choose which one you wish to have to depend on the country you are planning to travel to. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. I have two children who will be needing passports as well and would like to get them passport cards. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book.
Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. 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 united states passport card is an official identity and. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. 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.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Passport card information must be entered manually by the cm at checkin. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. 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 passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c.
The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Passport book, which allows travelers the right to leave and return to the united states. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults, and five years for travelers under age 16. The passport book and the passport card have the same validity which is 10 years for children 15 years old or younger, the validity is only 5 years. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. So as not to get confused anymore, here a few points to remember on how to distinguish use of each.
Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Jan 06, 20 a passport book is good for all international and air travel. From what i understand, the pp card is only good on land port of entries between mexico or canada and the us, or on closed loop tours. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. 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. What is the differences between passport book vs passport.
The card provides 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. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. For that reason, i get the book even though a card would be sufficient for my plans. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. And, actually, the passport card will slow down your checkin time at the port a little bit, as they currently cannot be scanned into the computer like the passport books are. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. Passport card vs passport book americas central america.
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. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Aside from the size, a passport book and a passport card difference is that the latter cannot be used when traveling abroad via air, the passport book is required. When you apply for a passport card, if you are age 16 or older, your card will be valid for ten years from the date of issuance. If you get stranded at a port and need to fly home, you may encounter difficulty with a pp card. We decided to get the book for our daughter 18 months even though it was more expensive for two reasons. Book for travelers on tight budgets, who cruise roundtrip from the u. Differences between passport book and passport card. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must 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. If heavenforbid we miss the boat on nassau, wed need the book. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. Department of state of the views or products contained therein. 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. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. However, sometimes the process of transport can be. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Enhanced drivers license many people may not know but depending on the state that you live in a third option is available to you. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. 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. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. The passport book has plenty of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps, while the passport card is a onepiece creditcardsized id card. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. You must have the original copies of all required documents.
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. 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. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. 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. 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.
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. What is the difference between a passport card number and. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. May 17, 2011 we decided to get the book for our daughter 18 months even though it was more expensive for two reasons. 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. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air.
We may be compensated if you make a purchase via a link on this site. The card is only good for land and sea travel, which means that we couldnt get a flight to the us. What is the differences between a passport book vs card with additional information and requirement for getting both a card and book. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id. But later it does talk about needed it to gain citizenship. Whether you get the passport bookcard both are valid for 10 years. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from.
A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. I bet they will tell me to get the book but i think i will ask anyhow.
The passport card is designed to be a less expensive and more portable alternative to the passport book. You can apply for both the passport card and passport book at the same time using the same application. In particular, if you plan on traveling to any countries other than canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean nations youll need to get the u. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. What is the difference between a passport card number and a. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport.
Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. Your passport cards validity is not linked to the expiration date of your passport book. If you have a valid passport book, you do not have to get a passport card as well. Jan 06, 2009 the card provides 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 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. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. A passport book is good for all international and air travel. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license.
What is the difference between a passport book and. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. If you lose your passport book, you can still travel to mexico and canada if necessary using your passport card i have both of them, because when i went to get my passport book renewed, the passport officer said, quoting him, sir, if you are planning on visiting canada or mexico, you might wish to have both, because only the more convenienttocarry card will be needed for those places. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. For travelers age 15 or younger, us passport cards are valid for five. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. I recently read an article on facebook about a lady whose daughter booked her and four of her friends on a weeklong vacation to turks and caicos. May 22, 2010 the us passport card does not contain any travel history and therefore officers should request a us passport book unless they are otherwise satisfied that the applicant continues to satisfy the residence requirement. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection.
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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. This is a privately owned website and not a government agency. Can i renew my passport book to get a passport card and a name change.
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