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