These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. So, given the differences between a passport book vs passport card, which one is right for you. 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. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. Many travelers will still want to apply for a full passport, however. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. You can use this credit card sized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. 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.
Volaris technally you need a passport book to fly within mexico if your from the usa. However, passport cards are valid for entering mexico only by land or sea if youre. If you need to travel internationally, you must have a passport book. Yes, a citizen of the united states can travel back and forth to mexico using a u. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. It is the size and shape of a drivers license, and conveniently fits in your wallet. Getting double or saving half on whatever you wish on your vacation is a wonderful option to have. The passport card is intended as a more portable, less expensive alternative to the standard passport book, primarily for u. The card cannot be used for international air travel. 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.
Jun 30, 2015 to summarize, the us passport card is handy complement to your passport book. Canada and mexico now require a valid passport book or card in order to cross the border. 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. Whether they let you on without a passport book is up to the employee i guess.
I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. The passport card is also real id compliant and can be used for domestic air travel. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. The passport card is a valid federal id primarily for travelers that visit canada, mexico, and the caribbean by land and sea. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Passport book or passport card cancun forum tripadvisor. If you are also applying for a renewal of your passport book and you opt for expedited service by mail, your passport book will arrive in 23 weeks, but your passport card may arrive in a separate envelope several weeks later. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted.
Passport card may 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. 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 and or mexico the card gets you through quicker in those situations. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. Difference between passport book and passport card.
The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. 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. The passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. Then interjet you only need an official state id with photo or dl or a passport card if your from the usa when i called them. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. It is intended to be used in place of the standard u. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. 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. Passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u.
What are the passport requirements for traveling to mexico. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air travel and is only valid in canada, mexico, bermuda, and the caribbean. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book.
What is the difference between a passport book and. Travelers should be sure to enter mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if. However, if youre considering a passport book vs passport card, just get both. Differences between a passport book and passport card. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u.
This is because a passport book is the booklet containing information about the person to whom it has been issued, which is in addition to a number of blank pages that can be used for travel visas as well as the stamps when said individuals. You can travel by land or sea on foot, by car, train. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. Jul 29, 2019 volaris technally you need a passport book to fly within mexico if your from the usa. The card cant be used for international air travel. The passport card is more convenient than the book but there are restrictions on forms of travel. State department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the u. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. 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. Passport card, as long as he does not fly in an airplane. 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 department of foreign affairs and trade. The passport card is best for those who travel to canada or mexico frequently by car or train. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. However, passport cards are valid for entering mexico only by land or. The passport card is valid only for certain types of international travel and cannot be used for international air travel. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Mar 16, 20 the passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. 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. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode.
It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. No, you cant save money and opt for the much cheaper passport card. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book.
The passport book is your typical passport, a bound, paged booklet that is issued by the us department of state verifying your identity and nationality, usually for the purpose of traveling internationally all international air travel for us passport holders, regardless of origin or destination airport, must be accompanied by a valid us passport book. Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Children who are too young for a drivers license or other state id, or other nondrivers who want a wallet sized id document, can also use the.
When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. The card is billed as a cheaper, smaller and more convenient alternative to carrying a passport when traveling to these destinations by land or sea. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. 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. Passport cards are only good for land travel and closed loop cruises, which depart and return to the same port of call. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. 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. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv.
This is because a passport book is the booklet containing information about the person to whom it has been issued, which is in addition to a number of blank pages that can be used for travel visas as well as the stamps when said individuals enters and exits a country. 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. Feb 12, 2019 what are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. Travelers should be sure to enter mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone. Us passport book and passport card online application. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. To summarize, the us passport card is handy complement to your passport book. Keep your passport book locked in a safe and use the passport card as identification while sightseeing.