In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. Just as the name suggests, a passport card is a walletsized laminated card that resembles the photo page of a passport book. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports.
Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. In the united states, travelers have two options to use for international travel. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. 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. 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. We have three kids and there is a pretty big price difference between the types of passports. 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.
Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. The significant difference between visa and passport is that visa is an official permission which temporarily authorizes us to stay in a foreign country and the passport is a document that certifies our identity during our travels. Heres a look at the key differences and various other pieces of info which will prove very useful. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you reenter the u. Jun 16, 2016 if you applied for expedited service for your passport book, you might have a longer time between the receipt of your passport book and your passport card. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. We want you to know about a few differences between the book. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air. Rush my passport the trusted partner in expedited u. The difference between passport books and passport cards. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. 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. What is the difference between passport book vs card. What is the difference between passport book and card. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Difference between passport book and passport card. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. But, whats the difference between a passport book vs card. Difference between visa and passport difference between. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Whats the difference between a passport book and a.
Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you re enter the u. 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. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport.
See below the differences between a passport book vs. 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. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. Passport is a document which is used for personal identification during abroad travels. Frequent travelers between the united states and canada can apply for different documents that allow them to cross from one country to the other without a passport book. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. As with a passport book, a nonexpired passport card can serve as your proof of identity and citizenship. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. The passport card was created for people who live near american borders and frequently drive into canada or mexico. The passport card is a walletsize card and is meant to be used only when reentering the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean.
Like the book, passport cards are good for 10 years if you are 16 or older. 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. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. Feb 21, 2008 the passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. However, it is essential to understand what the differences between the two are. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport. Now, the us citizens have an option of applying for a passport book or passport card, or even both. It displays your photo, name, issuing and expiration dates and your place of birth.
Apply for a passport card bureau of consular affairs us. You can also use it as your id for domestic air travel. What is the difference between a passport card number and a. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada. 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 passport and passport card us. In general, everyone must have a passport book or a regular passport to travel from one country to another. Well help you determine whether you want or need to. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u.
The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. 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. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has select uses under select circumstances. Today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. 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 a passport book and passport card. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. You must have the original copies of all required documents. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that.
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. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. The passport card is a walletsize card and is meant to be used only when reentering the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at landborder crossings or sea portsofentry. Passport book is a traditional document but card is the new thing. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. We want you to know about a few differences between the book and card so you can decide if you want to apply for one or both documents.
Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. 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. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. I travel between the us and mexico every week, and my passport book is expiring in about a year. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book.
The passport book and the passport card are two different unique documents with unique number. 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 entries between the us, canada, and some nearby sovereign islands. There is also a difference in price between passport books and passport cards. The difference between the two is that one is a card and one is a book. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for trav.
Differences between passport book and passport card. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. If you applied for expedited service for your passport book, you might have a longer time between the receipt of your passport book and your passport card. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits. What is the difference between a passport card or book answers.
The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. Difference between passport book and passport card u. 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. In this post, well cover the main differences so you know exactly which passport option is right for you. Passport card says land or sea travel from us to canada, mexico and the caribbean. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Passport book and passport card are commonly used by the citizens of united states these days. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane.
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. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Minors under 16 will need to renew their passport every 5 years. What is the difference between a passport book and passport. The united states government has come up with a simple solution in order to make traveling easier between neighboring countries. 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. Air flight is not included so a passport book is needed, is this correct. In this post, well cover the main differences so you know exactly which passport option is. Well help you determine whether you want or need to pay extra for the passport card. Passport books are valid for all international travel, no matter what the mode of transit is. If you ever want to fly to another country or even do a cruise outside of the countries where the cards are valid, get the book. Passport books are generally more convenient than passport cards, because they allow you to travel internationally without any worry of. What is the difference between passport book and card answers.
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