Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. At messing law offices, we provide high quality legal services and expertise to families, working men and women, and businesses. What is the difference between a passport card number and. Weigh the cost of a passport versus a passport card. States at land bordercrossings or portsofentry by sea from canada, mexico. 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. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. However, sometimes the process of transport can be. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry.
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. Passport card i had a chance to see the new passport card today and it occurred to me that this may pose a problem. Valid for 10 years for an adult and 5 years for a minor. A passport card only applies to land or sea travel to certain locations. Mexico passport requirements come here and find it out. When traveling to mexico for bariatric surgery, patients will need to have a valid passport book.
How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Sample us passport messing tucson immigration attorney. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Which one you must get completely depends on how you are going to travel and how much you. The us passport book vs passport card debate has many of us. If your travel plans take you to a country bordering the u. No passport or passport card is required to travel to overseas u.
It enables easy portability and is used to enter from mexico, canada, and certain carribean countries. The walletsize passport card is convenient and less expensive than the passport book. If you dont want to spend the money for the full passport i would save what. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. 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. If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. First of all, the passport book contains many pages designated for visa stickers and stamps, while the passport card, on the other hand, is a credit cardlike id.
Additionally, the passport card is a lot more economical than a traditional passport. The passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. The passport card is not good for any international air travel, and can only be used for ground or sea entry from canada, mexico, and select caribbean countries. This new travel document can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. An article i read said that mexicos latest versions dont have it, but older ones should. The passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. 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. Passport card valid when entering the united states from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry. According to the 2020q1 henley visa restrictions index, holders of a mexican passport can visit 158 of 191 as the maximum countries without a visa, placing mexico in the 26th rank in terms of global travel freedom.
There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to. 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. Differences between passport book and passport card. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Passport card can be used to enter 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. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. 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. Expedited passport services to get your passport fast. Since we all know how to acquire passport booklets, lets learn how to get hold of a passport card. You can apply for rush service by mail without providing any travel plans. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air.
Mexican passport is a travel document issued only to the citizens of mexico. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. Difference between passport book and passport card. The mexican passport is also an official id and proof of mexican citizenship. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. Process for applying mexican passport passport world. If you already have a passport book or passport card, you can renew by mail using form ds82. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. Both passport books and cards are valid as forms of identification and proof of us citizenship in mexico. Valid for all forms of travel by land, sea, and air. The difference between the numbers is two digits and the letter c. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. See more ideas about passport card, passport and cards.
However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. People who scrimp on just the card rather than the book while going on a cruise, face problems if they get seriously ill. Theres a personal number located quite a ways under the passport number. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers.
Passport card is the best option if you are travelling to canada, mexico and the caribbean by land or sea from us. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. Process for applying mexican first time adult passport. A passport book is good for all international and air travel. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. Passport cards are also only valid in mexico, bermuda, canada and the caribbean.
Currently, all citizens of the united states need a one or the other for international travel, even to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. A passport book functions in all ways a passport card is used and there is no need to obtain a passport card if you already have a passport book. Mpi research assistant kevin oneil takes a look at how many mexicans living in the u. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. 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 canada, mexico, the. What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The passport card or formally known as the people access security service card pass is small in size compared to a passport. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea.
Im going to keep looking, and i guess i could assume that his is the latest version, since its from just 6 years ago. Mexican passports are issued to mexican citizens for the purpose of travelling abroad. See below the differences between a passport book vs. Us passport book vs us passport card us visa connection. In 2016, an american woman flew into puerto vallarta, mexico on vacationbut. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. Say for example that you are on a cruise which would ordinarily only. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. 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 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. The us passport book vs passport card salon prive mag.
Another option to get your passport fast is to use a registered passport expediting company. If you purchase the wrong one, then you will be forced to pay even more monies for the correct passport and most likely incur huge expediting fees. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. The passport book is valid for all international travel. Travelers should be sure to enter mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone.
The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. If you have the book, you dont need the card unless youd like to have it as a walletsized id or you plan to travel frequently by car to canada andor mexicothe card gets you through quicker in those situations. Us passport book and passport card online application. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. Nowadays, either a passport book or card is required for entry to mexico depending on the method of travel and length of stay. Do john and mary need a passport book or a passport card.
Before you start, make sure you have in hand your current and previous passports, previous visa, employment and education information dates, addresses and complete information about the place you will visit in the u. You can apply by mail using form ds82 if you have a passport book or card that. Sample image of the front of the passport card sample image of the back of the 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.
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