Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. However, it has a great number of limitations, so clients requesting a passport card should give serious consideration to applying for a passport book as well. Passport card vs passport book canada immigration forum. If you have never had a passport book, you can apply for a passport card by completing the ds11 new passport form. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is the one essential item you cant leave home. Any frequent traveler knows how pricey foreign travel can get. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document.
Adults with fullyvalid passports issued within the last fifteen years can apply for the card by mail using form ds82, at a cost. A passport card is less expensive than a traditional passport book. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. If youre leaving for an international trip, your passport is. Book for travelers on tight budgets, who cruise roundtrip from the u.
All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Difference between passport book and passport card. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. 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. Since the passport card is apparently worthless, it is better to leave that than your actual passport. 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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. Our us passport fee 2020 guide will break down all the fees associated with passport service, and will explain all the components of the passport fee. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. Passport books or passport cards are both valid for 10 years after issue for adults. Only available for passport book applicants in the united states not canada.
So as not to get confused anymore, here a few points to remember on how to distinguish use of each. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Some people are confused with the differences between a passport book and a passport card. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Should i get a passport card to go along with my passport. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. What is the difference between a passport card number and. 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. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. 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. Also you can not use the passport card to fly into the us.
Also, if you get a passport card separately from your passport, it has a different number and expiration date also costs a bit more. This service is not available for passport card applicants. Because of public health measures to prevent the spread of covid19, we have extremely limited u. What is the difference between a passport book and. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. 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. Pros and cons of using the passport card travel forums.
The card has the same validity period as a passport book. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Fees for passport books and passport cards vary according to the service required, the processing speed, and whether the traveler is an adult or a child. The passport required for most international travel is the u. You will be completing the process as a new passport application. While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book.
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 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 application fee for a passport card is also lower than the passport book. Passport card vs passport book sep 16 cruise forum. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. 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. 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. 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. 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. Passport book, which allows travelers the right to leave and return to the united states. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u.
What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. 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. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u. 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. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. It is even cheaper to buy both a passport and passport card at one time.
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