What is the difference between a passport book and a. A passport book is a common source of identification for many travelers. The major difference between a passport book and a passport card lies in the scope they offer for international travels. 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 more convenient and less expensive than a passport book.
What is the difference between a passport book and. 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. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. 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. 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. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. The difference between passport and passport card us. 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. Difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. What is the difference between a passport card number and. 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. If you are traveling by air or to most countries, you will need a traditional passport book, with pages for your various visas.
Passport book has a long history while card is a new travelling document. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison diffen. Fees vary based on age, the speed of service you request and whether you already have a passport. The main downside is that it can only be used for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermudanorth. The passport book is only type of passport that is accepted for international air travel. Wouldnt be so bad if child passports lasted 10 years like the adult passport, but renewing them every 5 yea. 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 books are larger and filled with blank pages used for visas and stamps anytime you enter and exit a country. It comes with many blank pages to be stamped at customs.
What is the differences between passport book vs passport. The card is as small as a credit card it doesnt take as much to manufacture them. What is the difference between a passport card or book. You can also apply for both a passport card and book if you need both. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. Whats the difference between a us passport book vs card. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. 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.
A passport book is valid for all types of travel land. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license. The passport card was really meant to be a cheaper form of identification for people who live near the border and drive across frequently, to make it easier for them to comply with the western hemisphere travel initiative that requires passports for border. Key differences passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land.
In contrast, a passport card is similar in purpose to a passport book but much more limited in scope. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Would like opinions on the difference and if we should go with the passport card. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for travel to canada, mexico and the caribbean islands. The traditional passport book is still required for most travel purposes.
However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Both types, passport books and passport cards, exist in the united states of america. Conveniently, both the passport book and the passport card have the same renewal period. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. However, each of these items comes with certain restrictions regarding when you can use them. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Passport book is valid for any kind of travel, while card is valid for sea and land travel only. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport.
Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. Any frequent traveler knows how pricey foreign travel can get. What is the difference between passport book and card. Difference between passport book and passport card. A passport book validity time limit is 10 years for people aged 16 and older and 5 years for those under 16 years old. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. A passport book is valid for all types of travel land, sea or air to any destination. Minor children will need to have their passports renewed every 5 years until they reach 16 years of age. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card.
The passport card is far more convenientand cheaper due to its credit card size. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. The size of card makes it easy to fix in wallet, while passport book cannot be kept in wallet. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card.
As like the passport book, the card also must be renewed after validation gets completed. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. What is the difference between passport book vs card.
Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their. Depending on your budget and travel plans, you can choose between a passport card or book. In addition to this, we have passport card, this is a card which is used for only land and sea travel on the listed countries in italic on the card.
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. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The 4 kids need their passports renewed before our fall cruise. Passport book has been in use for a longer period than the passport card. The us passport card is a small passport card, about the size of a credit card, that contains your photo and identifying information. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Passport cards also have the same time frames of validity. 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. Renewal cost of the passport book and passport card.
When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when applying for a passport book. You can now apply for a passport book and a 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. We outline the main differences so you can choose between these passport types quickly and easily. The good news is a passport card is generally valid for the same time and has the same application process as a 26 or 52page passport book. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa.
While the passport card is more convenient due to its size, it is far more restricted in use than the passport book. All american citizens are required to present a valid passport to exit and reenter the united states. Differences between a passport book and passport card. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. The passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. State department issues two versions of a passport. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. Passport book vs passport card norwegian cruise line. 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 book fees are more than passport card fees. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. The cardformat passport is for international travel by u. The other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license.
A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. Both of these documents give you the ability to travel outside of the country. In the united states, travelers have two options to use for international travel. 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. 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. We need to understand the difference between a passport card and a passport book. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. The passport book is valid for travel anywhere and is.
You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to. However, it doesnt always make sense to have only the passport card, especially if you plan to travel by plane overseas. We have three kids and there is a pretty big price. 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 walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. In conclusion, the passport book versus passport card is important to know. You can apply for both the book and card with the same application but it is not requried that you obtain both. Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. We want you to know about a few differences between the book and card so you can. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages.
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