To enter canada, your passport book or card must be valid at the time of entry. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. It was designed for the people who live near the border and cross it frequently, with a lower cost and a handy size that fits in a wallet like a drivers license. 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. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. Save yourself hassle with expedited passport services if you dont have the time or patience for applying for your u. What to do if your passport is lost or stolen, how to avoid identity theft and information for canadian law enforcement. 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. Yes, you can use your passport card in order to apply for a passport book. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel. 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.
The us passport card is a credit cardsized identification document. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Depending on how you plan to visit canada, you may be able to use a passport book, passport card, or even a nexus card. Passport card can be used to enter the united states from canada, mexico, the. Feb 12, 2019 what are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
S citizens visiting canada need a passport book or will a. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. First of all, a passport card can be used for travel by sea to barbados. Yes you may use passport cards for all land travel. Apr 05, 2011 the passport card is good only for land and sea border crossings, and as such is good enough for going to and from canada. The primary justification i had for doing so was tha. There are several options when it comes to forms of identification for travel. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. If you travel to canada frequently by train or road, the u. Applicants must provide documents which attest to their u. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document.
Differences between a passport book and passport card. It is the size and shape of a drivers license, and conveniently fits in your wallet. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card.
Canada is our closest neighbor to the north, but u. Aug 10, 2012 a passport book is bigger than a passport card. The passport card shares the same validity period as the passport book. Passport books and cards are alternatives to a stateissued id. 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. May, 2019 in this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. 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. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. A passport card also could be useful for alaska cruises, as long as all border crossings into canada are done by land or sea. If youre a frequent traveler to canada or mexico by land or sea, then the passport card can be a budgetfriendly option. Passport the application process is the same for either the passport book or card, even if you want both at the same time. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport bookeither a ds11 or ds82. You can use this creditcardsized document to reenter the united states from mexico, canada, bermuda and the caribbean when traveling by land or sea.
It is also used for domestic travel to countries by land or sea. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. 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.
Service canada offers passport service s in over 300 locations on behalf of the passport program, giving canadians broader access to passport services across the country. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Passport cards requested by mail are always shipped back. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea. State department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the u. Do you need a passport card and book to go from the us to.
What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. Entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from. 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. A us passport card is used as a federal id and is only good for travel to canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda at land border crossings or sea portsofentry and is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book. The passport card is valid only for certain types of international travel and cannot be used for international air travel.
The nexus card used to be the bestkept secret of frequent travelers to canada. This option means getting both a passport book and passport card with just one application. In this case, you would apply for a passport renewal by mail. While both passport book and card are valid to cross into canada by train, united states citizens over the age of 16 also have several alternative options. Passport cards are applied for and issued in your home country. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. A passport card fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Does canada have plans for a canadian passport card. Otherwise, it carries the rights and privileges of the u. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. 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.
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. Carrying the bulkier passport book can be inconvenient, whereas. The passport card is a walletsize identification card with your picture, information, and barcode. Sep 26, 2016 we already have nexus passes for frequent crossers i.
I recently got my very first united states passport, and i got a passport card at the same time. For canada crossings, nexus card no longer beats a us passport. Us passport book and passport card online application. Should americans have both a passport book and a passport card. It was designed for the people who live near the border and cross it frequently, with a lower cost and a. You can get a passport card with your passport book if you like. Does a passport card work to go to canada by train. However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book.
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 now apply for a passport, or renew it, at over 300 service canada centres. A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. How to apply, application forms and what supporting documents you need. In this video we explore should you use a passport book or a passport card when you travel. Unlike other countries, canada does not require your passport to have a minimum period of validity. The card cannot be used for international air travel. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry.
The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. The passport card is a valid federal id primarily for travelers that visit canada, mexico, and the caribbean by land and sea. 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. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. Visa, mastercard, diners club international and american express cards are accepted. The passport card will match the expiry date of your passport book, if you have less than 5 years validity remaining.
The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport. The passport card is a fully valid passport that attests to the u. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. Many travelers will still want to apply for a full passport, however. Start today by applying for or renewing your passport. Applying for a passport card by mail will take up to 8 weeks. The passport card is also real id compliant and can be used for domestic air travel. At service canada centres clients are able to submit general passport applications adult. Jul 27, 2019 after he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation.
Find a passport office or service canada receiving agent for inperson service. If you are traveling on to europe, youll need a passport with at. You must have the original copies of all required documents. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate box. Citizens can be issued with two types of passports. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Passport card department of foreign affairs and trade.
We already have nexus passes for frequent crossers i. Obtaining the pass requires an extensive application process, but once youre eligible, youll be able to move to quicker, nexusonly lanes at customs. The passport card has benefits, but does not offer the same list of privileges as a traditional passport. Can i renew my usa passport book and passport card separately. I have a passport card but need a passport book to travel to. Generally speaking, when someone is thinking about a passport, chances are good that they are thinking about a passport book. As such, the passport card is adjudicated to the exact standards as the passport book. A passport is an essential item that you cannot afford to leave behind when going on an international trip. You only need a passport book if you travel by air. Passport requirements by bus to canada getaway usa.
The passport card is good only for land and sea border crossings, and as such is good enough for going to and from canada. 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. These countries include canada, mexico, and the caribbean. S citizens are encouraged to carry passports when sailing out of foreign ports. An alternative to a passport card or book is the nexus pass, which is designed for frequent travelers between the u. Both passport books and cards are valid for 10 years, so if it fits your travel plans, the passport card can be a cheaper alternative. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the u.
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