The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. First of all, they are cheaper than getting a passport. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. My understanding is that the choice between 24 and 52 pages is at the discretion of the passport office. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade. Whats the difference between a passport book and a. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. 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.
To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel. Residency document rental or lease agreement, mortgage or utility bill, etc. The information stored on the chip is the same as that which is displayed on the data page of the passport.
A passport book is required for all international travel by air. Here is a table showing the principal differences between a passport book and a passport card. United states citizens can get either a passport book or a passport card for their travels abroad. One is a passport book, the traditional passport with the pages that get stamped. However, a passport card is only a valid form of id for travel within the u. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining. Differences between passport book and passport card. An e passport or electronic passport is similar to the traditional passport book except for one significant difference.
Difference between passport book and passport card u. 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. Adult passport cards remain valid for 10 years and cards issued to children under 16 years of age for five years. 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. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Any frequent traveler knows how pricey foreign travel can get. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Passport card the standard passport book covers all the bases. 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. Difference between visa and passport difference between. Proof of social security number ss card, a w2, or a pay stub with full ssn.
Is the passport book number the same as a passport number. A passport card is also available for certain travel situations. Passport book is widely used for international travel while passport card is used for united states citizens who live in border territories in the us. What is the difference between a passport and a passport card. The epassport has an rfid chip embedded in the back cover of the travel document. Below, you can find the comparison chart of both the usa passport book vs passport card. In this article, well go over the differences between the u. However, you can always get a passport card which is the same size as a drivers license. The united states passport, however, only became navy blue in 1976to match the shade found in the american flag. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport.
Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Whats the difference between passport book and passport card. We want you to know about a few differences between the book. You can also use it as your id for domestic air travel. 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. Visa is an official document that is issued as permission for entering and residing a country. What is the difference between validity of the passport book and passport card. Traditional passports are valid for international travel by air, sea, and land. 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. Since john will be driving between buffalo, new york and toronto, canada at least once each quarter, he can use the passport card, but if he drives one way from buffalo to toronto and flies home, hell need a passport book for the flight.
Difference between a passport book and passport card. A passport card, on the contrary, looks much like a credit card that sits well in your wallets. The most common visa types are tourist, student, work and transit visas. Us passports vs enhanced drivers licenses rush my passport.
The card is as small as a credit card it doesnt take as much to manufacture them. A passport book is a common source of identification for many travelers. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport. 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. If thats your very first passport and unless you just started a career that requires frequent travel abroad, youre very unlikely to either get or need the 52page variant. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. 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. Difference between passport book and passport card. Perhaps the biggest difference between a passport card and a traditional passport is that. Passport card is also valid for international travel but by land or sea only. It is required during the international travel via air, land or sea. Jun 16, 2016 if you applied for expedited service for your passport book, you might have a longer time between the receipt of your passport book and your passport card.
Travel requirements with the growing threat of global terrorism, all traveling us citizens are required to possess more specific documentation than in the past. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that. That price difference can be significant for trips across the different borders. Passport book booklet style id travel document standard passport book has 28 pages. 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. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport.
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. One instance could be, if you want to travel to jamaica, youll need a passport book. Passport is a document which is used for personal identification during abroad travels. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport. The passport card is not valid for international air travel. Differences between a passport book and passport card. The cost difference is understandable, however, as passport books also can be used for air travel. Nov 11, 2014 the main difference between a visa and a passport is that a visa is an endorsement placed within a passport that grants the holder official permission to enter, leave or stay in a country for a specified time period. Difference between visa and passport visa vs passport. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Validity a passport has a validity of ten years for adults and five years for.
Passport books can be accepted in any country unless theyve barred us citizens from entry, like north korea, and are valid for visa applications, while a passport card can only be used to enter countries by land or sea. The us passport card is good for land and sea travel from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean into the united states. Can only be used in land and sea travels, not by air. Secondly, they fit more comfortably in your wallet than a passport book does, so they are more convenient. Apply for a passport card bureau of consular affairs us. Although, keep in mind, while both can be used as forms of id when traveling, the passport card has some restrictions. What is the differences between passport book vs passport card. The process for getting or renewing a passport card is the same as for a regular passport. Us passport books and us passport cards the differences. The us state department uses different number formats for books and cards. I f youve wondered what the difference is between a passport book and a passport card, youve come to the right place. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. As with a passport book, a nonexpired passport card can serve as your proof of identity and citizenship.
Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or. A passport is an official document that allows you to leave your country and go abroad. A passport book and a passport card serve the same purpose of attesting to your u. The passport card contains the same information as a passport book, with a size similar to a laminated stateissued drivers license. Whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. However, the passport book is valid for all forms of travel. 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 other is the passport card, which is just like a drivers license. Passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. State department issues two versions of a passport. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport 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. Mar 30, 2009 the passport card is an option to an uncomplicated u. Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u.
Here is a table showing the principal differences between a. What is the difference between a passport and a passport. 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. Any us citizen wishing to travel internationally via air must have a passport book. Will my passport card have the same number as my 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. Depending on where you are traveling, a visa can be. The passport card is valid for up to 10 years if you are an adult, and allows you virtually unlimited travel to the caribbean, bermuda, mexico, and. Passport book for reentry into the united states from any country. Difference between passport book and passport card compare. The purpose of the passport card is to offer a more convenient option than a regular passport book for us residents who frequently cross the border, typically by.
What is the differences between passport book vs passport. Dec 14, 2011 the passport book is used for all air travel. Passport card is wallet sized document while passport book size is 5. You cannot use the passport card for international air travel, even when you re enter the u. 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. 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. A passport is a document that is issued by the national government that is used as a personal identification when travelling abroad. You cannot use the us passport card for air travel at all. Shepherd said that some travelers might prefer to use a passport card for domestic flights because it is smaller, easier to carry and less expensive than a regular passport. Can be used for international travel via land, sea, or air. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. See below the differences between a passport book vs.
It comes with many blank pages to be stamped at customs. Both the passport book and passport card serve as proof of your u. The passport book has lots of pages for visas and arrivaldeparture stamps. 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 is the difference between a passport and a visa. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course. The passport book and the passport card are two different unique documents with unique number. What is the difference between a passport book and a. Both documents are valid for 10 years for adults 16 and older, and 5 years for those under the age of 16. 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. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. In addition to a regular passport, the passport book, u.
The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. Passport cards are valid only for reentering the u. Oct 07, 2017 wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. As passport books allows more activities as compare to passport card so they tend to cost more as well. Jun 20, 2019 passport book is a globally recognized travel document while passport card is not a globally recognized document. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport card. The passport card is an option to an uncomplicated u. Wondering whats the difference between a passport book and a passport card. If your cruise departs from florida but stops in jamaica before returning to florida, youll need your passport card. Find uses and advantages of a passport book and a passport card and figure out. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller.
Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. What is the difference between a passport book and. A passport card is cheaper to get but is only valid for trav. No, your book and card will have two completely different numbers. What is the difference between a passport book and passport card. Passport is a must for any person that is looking to internationally travel via any means. 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 card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. A passport card is cheaper than a passport book, but cant be used for air. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. Depending on where you are traveling outside of the united states you will need to determine if you need a passport bookcard.
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. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Its in the form of a booklet and states your name, birthday. Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea, or land. The e passport has an rfid chip embedded in the back cover of the travel document. I travel between the us and mexico every week, and my passport book is expiring in about a year. Passport cards and passport books are no exception.
Aug 18, 2016 today, united states citizens need a passport to travel to neighboring countries such as mexico and canada. Passport card frequently asked questions with answers. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel.