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. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. 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. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card.
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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. My wife and i are planning a trip to mexico in the fall of 2014, and i am trying to figure this out. The passport book enables travelers to travel internationally using any method land, sea, or air and to any acceptable destination. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The major difference between a passport book and a passport card lies in the scope they offer for international travels. The cardformat passport is for international travel by 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. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. In the united states, travelers have two options to use for international travel.
Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport. You can also call us at 8002552414 or email us at vitals. Difference between visa and passport difference between. Differences between a passport book and passport card. A passport book can be used for all international travel. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. Otherwise, the passport card carries the same rights and privileges as the u. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is. What is the difference between the passport book and the. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Difference between a passport book and passport card. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. 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.
We want you to know about a few differences between the book. But, whats the difference between a passport book vs card. So youre looking to travel internationally but there are these options between a passport vs passport card. In this post, well cover the main differences so you know exactly which passport option is. Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. Proof of social security number ss card, a w2, or a pay stub with full ssn. What is the difference between passport book vs card. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. What is the difference between a passport card or book. 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. In this blog post we will discuss the difference between the two documents. See below the differences between a passport book vs.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes.
In this post, well cover the main differences so you know exactly which passport option is right for you. 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 most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. Passport book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by many citizens of the united states. However, there are restrictions on the type of travel and destinations for which the passport card can be used. The passport card is a walletsize card and is meant to be used only when reentering the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. In short, a person with a passport card can use it to travel to either canada, mexico, bermuda, or the caribbean so long as they are taking either a land route or a sea route. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. Department of state of the views or products contained therein.
That means you cannot use the passport card for air travel. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland, liechtenstein and norway and switzerland. Us passport card versus passport book vip passports. Feb 12, 2019 in this blog post we will discuss the difference between the two documents. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel.
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. The main difference between passport and visa is that while the passport is a document that is used to identify a person when heshe is travelling to another country, whereas visa is an official permission granted by the countrys representative to enter and reside the country. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. I would like to save some money if i can but i travel to mexico, just would like to know difference. Passport book and passport card are commonly used by the citizens of united states these days. You can travel anywhere in the world with a passport book versus a passport card that only takes you to a handful of places. Passport books are larger and filled with blank pages used for visas and stamps anytime you enter and exit a country.
What is the difference between a passport book and. The us passport card can be useful in a number of situations. 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. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. What is the difference between passport book and passport card. As with a passport book, a nonexpired passport card can serve as your proof of identity and citizenship.
Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. 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. Oct 30, 2009 what is the difference between the us passport book and card. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean. As stated, the passport book and the passport card. This type of passport is limited to land and sea travel to bermuda, canada, the caribbean.
What is the difference between a passport card number and. Difference between passport book and passport card. Those countries include mexico, canada, bermuda and 17 islands in the caribbean. Passport is a document which is used for personal identification during abroad travels. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. 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. Rush my passport the trusted partner in expedited u. What is the difference between passport book and card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. What is the difference between passport book and card answers. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5.
What is a passport card, and what should you know when youre. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits well walk you through the basic differences of each of these documents, and help you determine which one is right for you. 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. Regardless, the passport card that is issued in the united states still has select uses under select circumstances. Passport book vs passport card 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. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Nov 22, 2019 the cost between passport book vs passport card. Difference between passport and visa with comparison. The united states government issues a few different types of passports to american citizens. Feb 21, 2008 the passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some.
May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. The difference between passport books and passport cards. What is the difference between a passport card or book answers. Travelers may not fly using only the passport card and are restricted to travel.
Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. The passport card is a variation of the regular passport. There are, however, some key differences that need to be considered. 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. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Immigration compare the difference between similar terms. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. However, the passport card restricts travelers to land or sea travel only to the following destinations. A regular passport book has a blue cover and is issued with the standard 28 pages or nonstandard 52 pages. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. What is the difference between a passport book and a. 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. That price difference can be significant for trips across the different borders.
You can also use it as your id for domestic air travel. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. I travel between the us and mexico every week, and my passport book is expiring in about a year. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u. What are the differences between a passport book vs. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. Also, you cannot expect to carry a card while traveling by air. What is the differences between passport book vs passport.
The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. What is the difference between a passport card number and a. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. 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. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Apply for a passport card bureau of consular affairs us. The passport book and the passport card are two different unique documents with unique number. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. How do you know if you need a passport book versus passport card. The difference between passport and passport card us. A passport card be used for land and sea travel between the united states and canada, mexico, and the caribbean region. We have three kids and there is a pretty big price difference between the types of passports. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. 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.
They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Passport book is a traditional document but card is the new thing. 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. Each type has a specific purpose and requires specific requirements be met in order to obtain it. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for. It has the same requirements and can be used for the same purposes. Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the united states of america. If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro.
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. 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. 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. Passport cardbasically a limiteduse passport enhanced drivers licenseacts both as a driver license and a travel document, but also with limits. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. To begin with, passport cards can not be used for air travel. It cannot be used for any international air travel.
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