It is an alternative to carrying a conventional passport book and. Us passport cards can be used to enter canada or mexico by land or sea. I know if flying from the us i would need a passport book, but wasnt sure if it was necessary when flying from mexico to mexico. Those driving to canada or mexico, or on a cruise, only with a passport card, who encounter an emergency, cant use their passport card to fly back to the us. Your passport card can also be used to enter most caribbean nations by sea. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Do you need a passport to go to mexico explorando baja.
A passport card is more convenient and less expensive than a passport book, but it cannot be used for international travel by air. However, passport cards are valid for entering mexico only by land or sea if youre. To enter the united states at land border crossings or sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda, you can use a passport book or a passport card. The passport card cannot be used for international air travel. The passport card was created to facilitate the frequent travel of americans living in border communities. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel.
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 not use it for air travel or for travel to other. See passport fees to find your fess and methods of payment. 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. 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. Keep your passport book locked in a safe and use the passport card as identification while sightseeing. The us passport card is a credit card sized identification document. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. You must decide whether you need the card or the book before you submit your application. The united states passport card is an official identity and limited travel document issued by the. How to apply for a new passport card rush my passport.
Passport card cannot be used for international air travel. They have been available to us citizens since 2008, and are meant to be a convenient way to prove your identity and citizenship. Cancun passport requirements vary depending on how you enter mexico. 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. These can range in cost depending on how soon you need it, but overall, it will be less expensive than a passport book and much easier to carry in your pockets. 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 cannot use a passport card for international travel by plane ever. The general layout of the passport card is virtually identical to the layout of the border crossing card issued to mexican citizens with. A passport book is required for all international travel by air. 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 mexico the card gets you through quicker in those situations. The passport book is valid for all international travel.
Jan 17, 2020 canada and mexico now require a valid passport book or card in order to cross the border. You cannot use the passport book for international flights. Passport card, as long as he does not fly in an airplane. The biggest difference between a passport book and passport card is that passport cards are only valid to enter canada, mexico, bermuda, and. 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. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. You can only use passport cards for domestic air travel, land and sea border crossings, and reentry into the u. It was designed for people who travel frequently between the us and canada, mexico, bermuda or the caribbean by land or sea.
Production of the passport card began on july 14, 2008. The only place i ever travel is mexico and the card is much cheaper, so i am leaning. 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 fits in your wallet, making it a more convenient form of id to carry on certain trips. Under the law known as the western hemisphere travel initiative, you can use either a valid passport book or passport card. It can only be used for land and sea travel between the u. Passport books can be used for international travel by land, sea, or air. The passport card is a walletsized identification card that proves us citizenship. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card. A passport card can be used to enter the us states at land border crossing or seaportsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. What are the passport requirements for traveling to mexico.
Mar 18, 2020 the passport card can be used only to reenter the u. This document is the most secure way for you to prove that you are a u. The passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at u. If you plan on flying, boating or driving to mexico, you can apply for a small passport or a pass card. It can also be used for domestic air travel in the usa. The passport card is only valid for land and sea travel to canada, mexico, and the. A us passport card can only be used for land and sea travel to canada, mexico or the caribbean. Us passport book and passport card online application.
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. On the form, you indicate that youre applying for a passport card by checking the appropriate box. Tj airport and passport question tijuana forum tripadvisor. The passport card is not an option if you fly to mexico. Feb 12, 2019 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. Passport cards, on the other hand, cannot be used for international travel. That means you can use a passport card if you are going to mexico or canada by car, bus, train, ferry, yacht, or even on foot. Yes, a citizen of the united states can travel back and forth to mexico using a u. To summarize, the us passport card is handy complement to your passport book. 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.
Mar 15, 2018 passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. Passport agencies are only located in certain states, and you must meet certain requirements to make an appointment. It is smaller and more convenient to carry than a passport book, and it is less expensive to obtain. The application process for both of these options are outlined further in later sections. Us passport card how well do you protect your personally. Travelers should be sure to enter mexico with valid proof of automobile registration, even if remaining in the border zone. Us citizens of any age flying to or from mexico must have a us passport book, no exceptions. The passport cards are ideal for those walking or driving across the border. The passport card contains a radio frequency identification chip as well as the traditional photograph and personal information found in a passport book. It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. Apr 21, 2016 youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport book either a ds11 or ds82.
A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. What is a us passport card, and how can you get one. 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. 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. However, depending on your method of entry into mexico, you may not need a passport book. Passport cards are about the size of a drivers license, and they cost less than purchasing a passport book. 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.
You and your child may use a passport book or card to enter mexico by sea. Carry both the card and the passport book in case of an emergency and you need to fly home. The passport card cannot be used for international travel by air. They can be used for land or sea travel to canada, mexico, bermuda. Aug 10, 2012 your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Youll use the same form that you would use to apply for a passport book either a ds11 or ds82.
However, before you apply for a new passport card, consider carefully whether or not you might be better off getting a us passport book. Can i fly from tj to other places in mexico, like cabo or matzalan. Passport cards are a form of us passport that are the size of a credit card or driver s license. Jun 30, 2015 to summarize, the us passport card is handy complement to your 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. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. If youre a frequent traveler to canada or mexico by land or sea, then the passport card can be a budgetfriendly option. A passport card provides valid identification for national travel, but only provides valid identification for certain types of international travel. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card.
I just thought i would get your opinion on which one to get. Differences between a passport book and passport card. If you do not currently have your id, you can apply for a passport at a facility near you. May 18, 2011 a us passport card to use for travel to mexico can be obtained in person at us post offices and by mail from the us passport agency. Passport requirements to visit mexico g3 passports. You should bring a us passport with you when you go to cancun or any other part of mexico. When you apply for a passport card, youll spend less money than you would when. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. Applying for a passport card in the united states or mexico. How to get through the tijuana border crossing faster. Commercial cruise liners require passengers to produce these documents before boarding. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Passport cards are only good for land travel and closed loop cruises, which depart and return to the same port of call.