As the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. 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. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u.
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. The irish passport card is a travel document that irish citizens can use for certain travel instead of the standard passport book. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. Those countries include mexico, canada, bermuda and 17 islands in the caribbean.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. Our guide to us passport books will teach you about the different types of passport books so you will understand which one you need and why. Difference between a passport book and passport card. The us passport card 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. It displays your photo, name, issuing and expiration dates and your place of birth. 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. The passport book and the passport card are two different unique documents with unique number. What is the diffference between a passport book and a.
Real id to the airport with you, lets cover the basics first. You can travel anywhere in the world with a passport book versus a passport card that only takes you to a handful of places. You can use the passport card when traveling in the european union, the european economic area which includes iceland, liechtenstein and norway and switzerland. 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.
The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. Apr 24, 2015 as the other two answers have hinted at, unless you live near the us border or youre traveling by sea vessel, the passport card is rubbish at its stated purpose. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Passport is a document which is used for personal identification during abroad travels. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. I am going to the bahamas in june, and need a passport, when i went to apply online, they gave me all three options, with the same criteria for each option, and no explantion of the difference between them. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. Real id, so that you can stop worrying about airport formalities and start getting excited about your trip. Passport books are larger and filled with blank pages used for visas and stamps anytime you enter and exit a country. 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. May 11, 2017 from passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you.
In part, this is because the passport card is the size of a standard id card, meaning that it can be carried with the same convenience as any other. What is the difference between a passport book and passport. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a 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. 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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. 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 book and passport card are two terms that are often used these days by. 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. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The only distinction i can think of that might make you want to have both an edl and a passport card is the information on the face of the cards. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. The passport book comes as either 28 or 52 pages and is valid for five years. Below, you can find the comparison chart of both the usa passport book vs passport card. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. 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. As far as i can tell, the edl and passport card give the same travel rights. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. What is the difference between passport book and passport card.
One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Difference between visa and passport difference between. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a. Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the united states of america.
Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Once you know the differences between these documents, you can decide between requesting a passport card vs passport book. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Nov 20, 2017 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.
What is the difference between a passport card or book answers. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas. But if your international travel consists entirely of surface trips in the limited. I leave my passport book locked up in canada when i drive between the 2 countries and have never had a problem at the border. Also, you cannot expect to carry a card while traveling by air. 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. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. 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. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. Perhaps the biggest difference between a passport card and a traditional passport is that.
The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card. Difference between passport book and passport card. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. Just as the name suggests, a passport card is a walletsized laminated card that resembles the photo page of a passport book. Jun 20, 2019 passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler. However, the card is more economical because you can obtain it by paying a lower application fee. 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 book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. Traditional passports are valid for international travel by air, sea, and land. Aug 18, 2016 one is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Immigration compare the difference between similar terms. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. The passport card is basically an individual credit cardsized id card. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. 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 and passport card are commonly used by the citizens of united states these days.
Differences between a passport book and card travel restrictions for passport book and card. Second, a good argument can be made that the passport card is more useful than the passport book for the limited circumstances in which it can be used. Differences between passport book and passport card. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. The passport book is the same as the original passport you need it when youre going to travel by airplane. T here are a variety of united states passport books that are issued to travelers for specific reasons. The major difference between a passport book and a passport card lies in the scope they offer for international travels. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. The passport card was created for people who live near american borders and frequently drive into canada or mexico. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane.
If you still got any questions about us passport book and card, you can always contact travel visa pro. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. That price difference can be significant for trips across the different borders. 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. Types of us passport books get your passport book today. Now, in terms of a passport book vs passport card, if you happen to be applying for a passport, you will need to consider which to get. You can also use it as your id for domestic air travel. The book offers more flexibility for you if you plan on doing extensive international traveling. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Differences between a passport book and passport card. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. What is the difference between validity of the passport book and passport card.
Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book and card. As with a passport book, a nonexpired passport card can serve as your proof of identity and citizenship. Passport difference between descriptive analysis and. Passport cards are valid only for reentering the u. 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 traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes. Before we get into the details about bringing a passport vs. Apr 12, 2014 the us passport card 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. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. What is the difference between passport book and card. Difference between green card, passport and visa green card refers to an identity card issued to a noncitizen by a country as a stay and work permit for an indefinite period of time. You can now apply for a passport book and a passport card. I drive between canada and the usa 36 times a year so having the card simplifies my trips. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states.
May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. If youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Passport book is a traditional document but card is the new thing. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Nov 23, 2018 were going to take this one step at a time to give you all the information you need to know about a passport vs.
My adult niece is taking a cruise with us to mexico from calif. State department issues two versions of a passport. Whats the difference between passport book and 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. For children age 15 and under, the passport is valid for 5 years and for adults 16 and older it is valid for 10 years. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
The passport book is much larger and it contains a series of pages for arrival and departure stamps, along with visas and so on. A passport book is a product of the federal government. We want you to know about a few differences between the book and card so you can. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. What is the difference between passport book and card answers. 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. The difference between passport and passport card us. What is the difference between passport book vs card. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5.
So what is the difference between a passport book and a passport card. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. From passport cards to global entry, which trustedtraveler program is right for you.
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