If you are a trucker who wants to cross the us canada border, download our fast card application for canada. You cannot use the passport book for international flights. The card provides a less expensive, smaller, and convenient alternative to the passport book for those who travel frequently to these. Nov 20, 2017 a passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some. 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. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u.
The cheaper, simpler passport card is proving popular in border states, including washington, as an alternative to a conventional passport for land and sea border crossings with canada and mexico. 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. Amazonbasics leather rfid blocking passport holder wallet 6 x 4 inches, black. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u. The fast pass provides expedited us mexico border crossing for commercial drivers who are predetermined lowrisk canadian and us citizens with commercial driving licenses. 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. 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. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship.
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. The passcard will act as a us passport only for land. What is the difference between a passport book and. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. However, children of any age traveling by air to and from mexico must have a passport book. Pick up your visa at the dhl office previously chosen. Using a passport card can get you across the border faster by using the special ready lane at certain border crossings. Although mexican immigration officials will accept a passport card as identification when you arrive in mexico, staffers in the united states wont let you board your flight without the more. Passport card vs passport book americas central america.
Again, its best to carry a passport to just be safe. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. 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. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card. I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either, but doesnt really matter as it is irrelevant to my question. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the book.
The passcard will act as a us passport only for land travel across the us mexico and uscanada borders. The passport card is about the size of any credit card, and fits easily into your wallet for frequent travel. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. 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. It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. See passport fees to find your fess and methods of payment. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. 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 which countries can be accessed with us passport cards. Most us passports have a dark blue cover, and contain 28 pages. Passport books are likely what you think of when you imagine a passport a bookletstyle identification and travel document. Posted by david march, 3rd 2009 in frequently asked questions. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card.
I used my drivers license, my brother his passport book and my sister the passport card you know the one that reads only valid for land and sea. The passport card is the size of your drivers license or state id, fitting in your wallet. I applied to renew my passport this past summer, and i had the option of applying for a just a passport book, or b both a passport book and also a passport card, which can be used in certain intercountry travel situations cant remember what situations either. The passport card can be used for identification purposes. Passport book or passport card cancun forum tripadvisor. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u.
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. 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. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. For travel by land or sea, adults should have a passport, passport card, enhanced drivers license or a trusted traveler card like nexus, fast. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. Passport cards now work with the new ready lane border crossing lanes. The difference is that the cards use is limited to travel to or from only canada, mexico, bermuda and the caribbean and only for travel by land or sea not air. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. 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 parts of the world. This means you cannot fly to canada, mexico, or the caribbean with a passport card.
You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. Im going to mexico this summer and do not have a passport as this is my first time going out of the country. 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. There are very important differences between the passport card and the passport book. Mar 16, 20 the passport card is only good for land and sea travel to canada, mexico and approximately 17 islands in the caribbean. Ultimate travel money guide to mexico compare cards.
Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Carbon leather passport holder rfid blocking technology wallet slim, minimalist sleeve wallets for passports, credit cards, id, money for travel, black matte. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. 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 valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Fast pass holders can cross the us mexico border in their trucks at land.
A passport book is essential if you intend to fly to the riviera, as its the only acceptable form of identification for international air travel. The mexican passport is also an official id and proof of mexican citizenship. Passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. The passport cards are ideal for those walking or driving across the border.
A passport card is the size of a drivers license and can be used only for travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, bermuda, and parts of the caribbean. Standard passport processing times are 46 weeks or longer. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. 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. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. 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. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Passport cards popular for canadamexico travel the. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. May, 2009 im going to mexico this summer and do not have a passport as this is my first time going out of the country. 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.
If you need a passport to go to mexico and youre traveling soon, can help. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. 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. 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. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. The difference between passport and passport card us. The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. We all usa born citizens crossed the border into reynosa mexico by car and boarded a plane from reynosa mexico to cancun mexico. Travelers should be sure to enter mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone. You must have the original copies of all required documents. However, passport cards are valid for entering mexico only by land or sea if youre.
Passport cards allow entry from canada, mexico, caribbean. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. You can use the card for land and sea border crossings at canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda only. Back to top how different travel money products work in mexico using a prepaid travel card. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. Carbon leather passport holder rfid blocking technology.
Passport cards are particularly handy for people who live close to the border and cross frequently or people who rarely travel but have decided to go on a cruise in mexico or the caribbean. Feb 12, 2019 what are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. Whats the difference between a us passport book and card. You cannot use a passport card for international travel by plane ever. Acceptance fees can be paid by check, credit card, or cash, and are made payable to the bernalillo county clerks office. 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. The passport card is not valid for any air travel, including to canada and. Jun 01, 2009 updated information as of june 1, 2009. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. If you are thinking about applying for or renewing a u. Department of state of the views or products contained therein. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or drivers license.
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. Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. What are the passport requirements for traveling to mexico. General information the passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. For travel by land or sea, adults should have a passport, passport card, enhanced drivers license or a trusted traveler card like nexus, fast or sentri. Do i need a passport to travel to the mexican rivera. Oct 16, 2017 the passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. Passports are required for all air travel to and from mexico. Because of its small size, the passport card will fit in your wallet, as opposed to a passport book which can be impractical to carry around with you.
Passport card difference between passport book and passport card u. The us passport card is less expensive to get then passport book, and is much smaller. Traveling using passport card central mexico and gulf coast. 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. Is a passport needed for traveling by plane in mexico. 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 trave. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. However, people find a passport card more convenient and accessible when carrying. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile. 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 passport book and passport card are both proof of your citizenship and identity while traveling outside of the us. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. Of the internal pages, 17 are blank pages marked visas.
Yeeasy passport holder wallet cover passport case genuine crazy horse. Get your passport global education office geo 2120 mesa vista hall msc06 3850, 1, university of new mexico albuquerque, nm 871 phone. 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. Exchange rates are accurate as of 4 september 2017. Mexican passports are issued to mexican citizens for the purpose of travelling abroad. 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. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u.
It is a credit cardsized, laminated document that is less expensive than the passport book, and discounted further if the traveler also holds a valid passport book, but it is not. You can pay with cash us dollars or mexican pesos or credit card. 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. Passport card the purpose of the passport card is for travelers that are going to canada, mexico, or the caribbean by land or by sea. Links to external websites are provided as a convenience and should not be construed as an endorsement by the u. Please contact npic if you do not receive the second or third mailing within 10 business days of the previous mailing. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. A passport card allows significantly fewer opportunities for the holder to travel, but often its enough for some.
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