Advantages of Passport Cards
- Convenient – It fits in your wallet
- Less expensive than passport books ( passport cards cost $30; passport books cost $110)
- Can be used for land or sea travel to Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and the Caribbean
- Excellent form of official identification for children or non-drivers
What are some benefits of having a passport card?
- You can visit the USA
- If you have a business visa or work visa, you can get a job quickly in India with organizations that do business with the US.
- You can visit close to 50 countries around the world without a visa or visa on arrival.
- Your visa application to other countries won’t be really that hard.
Is a passport card worth it?
The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. 2. level 1.
What are the differences between passport book vs passport card?
What is the difference between Passport Book and Passport Card?
- Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card.
- Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the United States of America.
- Passport card has limited travel opportunity. ...
- Passport book is valid for air, land and sea travel.
- Both of them differ in terms of their size too. ...
What is a passport card good for?
“Furthermore, the good news for diasporan Ghanaians is that when the ... After the statement, there were media reports that ICAO had approved the use of the Ghana Card, as an e-passport. Clarifying Bawumia’s statement, ICAO in series of tweets said ...
Is a passport card worth getting?
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) accepts the passport card as ID for domestic flights. Use the passport card when entering the United States at land-border crossings and sea ports-of-entry from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda. Do not use it for international air travel.
What is the difference between a regular passport and a passport card?
The most important difference between U.S. passport books and passport cards is that passport cards are not valid for international air travel; they're only acceptable for land and sea border crossings between the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean.
Why would you need both a passport book and a passport card?
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose: proving your U.S. citizenship and identity. All American citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and re-enter the United States. A passport is also required when entering, exiting, and traveling between foreign countries.
What countries accept passport card?
The U.S. Passport Card can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card CANNOT be used for international travel by air.
Can I fly to Mexico with a passport card?
U.S. citizens must present a valid U.S. passport book or card, in addition to an entry permit (Forma Migratoria Multiple or FMM) issued by Instituto Nacional de Migración (INM). Travelers should be sure to enter Mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
Can you fly to Canada with a passport card?
Entry into Canada: Canadian law requires that all persons entering Canada carry proof of citizenship and identity. A valid U.S. passport, passport card, or NEXUS card satisfies these requirements for U.S. citizens.
Do I need a passport card or just the book?
You do not need to have both a passport card and a passport book. You can choose which one suits your situation best. For example, your passport card will suffice if you are a frequent traveler across Canada and Mexico. But, if you are planning to travel to other international countries, you can get your passport book.
Is a passport book or card better?
The passport card was designed for the specific needs of northern and southern U.S. border communities with residents that cross the border frequently by land. The passport book is the only document approved for international air travel.
3. Easy proof of citizenship
Whether at home or abroad, a passport proves that you have the right to be in your home country (or temporary access to another country). Pretty straight-forward reason to own a passport, but definitely worth mentioning and very important! As cool as airports are becoming, no one wants to recreate The Terminal…
5. More work opportunities
Whether you want to earn some extra pocket money with a fast'n furious seasonal job abroad ( winter ski season in Switzerland or summer sports camp in Spain, anyone?) or you got a promotion that requires international travel, a passport lets you seize many more professional business opportunities.
6. You can study abroad!
No matter where your dream destination is, you’ll never get there without a passport.
7. Improved legal safety around child laws
On another, more serious note, obtaining passports for children minimizes the risk of losing them in child custody battles or kidnappings from ex-partners. Furthermore, if you are interested in adopting a child abroad, you will need a passport to go visit, apply, and bring them back home safely.
9. International romance
It’s true that there are many fish in the pond, but sometimes, the selection is a lot more appealing in new depths than in the same fishbowl we’ve been circling in for years. Plus, there’s just something in the exotic air of foreign lands that draws out the most fun in us (and others!), which is always a good point in time to make a connection.
10. You can track your travels
A passport not only opens the passenger door to a world of destinations and stories, but also serves as a travel diary through the years. Visas, trip dates, and border control stamps are all documented inside, which is a nice memoir to flip through and reminisce about (and inspire new travels).
What is a passport card?
The passport card was designed with the northern and southern U.S. border communities in mind. Residents near the border travel frequently by land into the nearby countries. The passport card allows them to travel easily to and from the nearby countries by land and by sea.
What is a passport booklet?
The passport booklet represents a universal travel option for U.S. citizens. That small book is the key for entry into over 150 countries throughout the world. If your travel plans fit the limitations of the passport card, then it is a budget-friendly option to obtaining a passport book. Both the passport card and passport book are proof ...
How much does a passport book cost?
Passport books are $145 for adults and $115 for minors. Passport cards cost $65 for adults and $50 for minors. Then, when renewal time comes, you’ll need to spend $110 on a passport book and $30 on a passport card. Any frequent traveler knows how pricey foreign travel can get.
How many countries can you travel to on a passport?
But, you have to keep in mind the limitations on a passport card. You’re restricted to traveling to 20 countries and only by land or sea.
Who is the author of Passport Health?
Passport Health can help! Call us at or take a look at any of our other Passport and Visa services. Written for Passport Health by Brianna Malotke. Brianna is a freelance writer and costume designer located in Illinois. She’s an avid coffee drinker and enjoys researching new topics for writing.
What is a US passport?
For US citizens, the passport is the sole official travel identification document, recognized, and accepted across the world, regardless of the citizen’s mode of transportation. Every country of the world, permitting US citizens entry ...
Can you fly on a cruise if you don't have a passport?
This means a cruise passenger would have to fly to the next port of call, or back home to the U.S. As above, if a citizen doesn’ t have their passport, they won’t be permitted to board the plane. According to the U.S. Department of State, 2.7M passport cards have been issued thus far.
Can a US citizen use a passport?
Every country of the world, permitting US citizens entry to their country, authorizes them to use their passport for identification for entry to, and exit from their country. On the other hand, the US passport card is only accepted as a U.S. citizen’s official travel identification document by 20 of the world’s nations; Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, ...
What is a passport card?
The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the U.S. citizenship and identity of the bearer. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the traditional passport book. Applicants must provide documents that attest to their U.S. citizenship such as birth and naturalization certificates or a previously issued ...
What is the purpose of passport book?
A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose: proving your U.S. citizenship and identity. All American citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and re-enter the United States. A passport is also required when entering, exiting, and traveling between foreign countries. Here is a table showing ...
How to apply for a passport in the US?
Simply put, applying for a passport card only makes sense if you meet the following criteria: 1 You do not plan to leave or enter the United States by air 2 You only plan to travel to Bermuda, Canada, Mexico, and/or the Caribbean. 3 Both of the above apply to your anticipated plans for the next 10 years.
What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card?
Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card's smaller size makes it more convenient than the traditional U.S. passport book. It is also notably cheaper to get a passport card than a standard passport book. However, a passport card is only useful in limited situations.
How many passport cards were issued in 2008?
The passport card has only been around since July 14, 2008. Only 189,560 cards were issued that year. Just a few years later, the number of passport cards issued rose to over one million. Due to this growth, more and more questions are sent to us about this travel document.
How many pages are in a passport book?
The alternative is the traditional U.S. passport book. The book version comes in both a standard, 24-page version and a bigger, 52-page version for those who travel frequently. As long as your passport is not significantly damaged, you should be able to apply for a renewal by mail.
What documents are needed to get a US citizenship?
citizenship such as birth and naturalization certificates or a previously issued passport. An identification document, copy of an ID, and a passport photo are also required.
What are Passport Books and Passport Cards?
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport – a booklet-style identification and travel document. 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.
Who Should Get a Passport Book?
Anyone who will travel internationally by air must have a passport book. It’s that simple!
Who Should Get a Passport Card?
Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card.
Ready to Apply?
Please see our pages on New Passports, Passport Cards, and Passport Renewal.
About the passport book
A passport book is a small booklet available to U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals that can be used for international travel by air, sea or land. For travelers age 16 or older at the date of issue, the books are valid for 10 years. Younger travelers are given passports that are valid for five years.
About the passport card
The passport card is also available to U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals, but can only be used for foreign border entry by land and sea — and only in specific places. Regardless of the country you’re visiting, it’s not an accepted form of ID for international air travel. Passport cards are valid for the same durations as passport books.
How a passport book and passport card differ
Notable differences between these identification options include where you can use them, what methods of transit are eligible, and the cost.
When to get both
The passport book is the all-encompassing identifier to carry regardless of how and where you’re traveling. You have the option to purchase a passport book and card in one application, and there are a couple of scenarios when having both passport types might be convenient, like:
If you're choosing between the passport card and passport book
Deciding between a passport book and a passport card can feel like a difficult choice considering the cost difference and the turnaround time to get your passport application processed.
