I want to get my 3 kids passports for our cruise in october. Feb 28, 2020 bahamas passport requirements state that u. Residency document rental or lease agreement, mortgage or utility bill, etc. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally. You are not limited to how or where you travel if you obtain a passport book. Excellent form of official identification for children or nondrivers. 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. Passport requirements for visiting popular countries. A passport book is valid for any international travel by air, sea or land. Only one execution fee is charged for an individual applying for both a card and book at the same time. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u.
A us passport card is a passport product, much like a us passport book. Basic passports for traveling to the bahamas usa today. 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. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. How a passport card differs from a passport book dmv. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. 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. A passport card is something between a passport and a governmentissued id card. Passport card vs passport book americas central america. A passport card can only be used for land or sea travel.
We hope this helped you to consider your options about a passport vs. Also, their port of entry and reentry should be the same. Aug 24, 2017 the process of applying for or renewing a passport card is the same process thats used for the passport book. 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. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. Citizens will need a us passport or passport card, or a whti compliant document. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. The passport card is good for land border crossing between the us, canada, and mexico and sea cruise border crossings in the caribbean and bermuda. United states citizens, for example, can use a passport book or card, or an. 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 name change document, like a marriage certificate, may also be required. Can i go on a cruise to the bahamas in february with the passport card i know you cant fly with it and im ok with that for now. Purchasing travel insurance before a trip is a smart investment and will.
The passport card is only valid for travel to canada and the bahamas. Jul 27, 2019 after he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. The words commonwealth of the bahamas and passport along with the international epassport symbol are below. If youre sticking to destinations in around north america bahamas, bermuda, caribbean, canada, maybe even some mexican ports the passport card should be enough. For the love of physics walter lewin may 16, 2011 duration. Fortunately, this inexpensive, hyperorganized wallet keeps everything safe and secure in a compact place.
Do americans need a passport to travel to the bahamas or. 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 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. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. If youve had a passport in the past one that was issued to you in the last 15 years and you meet a few other criteria, you can apply for your passport card by mail, using form ds82. The passport card can be used for entering the united states at land border crossings and sea portsofentry from canada, mexico, the caribbean, and bermuda. The passport card is only good for land and sea travel in countries in the western hemisphere, such as the bahamas. Us citizens traveling to the bahamas by sea must have a valid passport. A passport book provides valid identification for any national or international travel.
Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Proof of social security number ss card, a w2, or a pay stub with full ssn. Do americans need a passport to travel to the bahamas or jamaica. If you find yourself frequently traveling to canada or mexico but not so much the rest of the world, a passport card is one way to help pinch some pennies. If you plan to travel by air, you must obtain a passport book. But i would assume that anything in europe or asia will require a full passport. Exceptions there are, however, a few exceptions to the above rules. Aug 10, 2012 passport cards and passport books are no exception. The passport contains 50 pages for entryexit stamps and visas. Although many caribbean cruise destinations allow us citizens to enter using a passport card, most cruise lines require that passengers have a passport book in case of an emergency that would require flying you back home. The passport card has the same validity as the passport book. Yes, if you have a passport card, you can obtain a passport book at any time. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. A passport book commonly called a passport, is used for travel anywhere in the world by air, land sea.
It is valid for 10 years for adults and 5 years for minors under 16. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. Can a passport card be used for travel to the bahamas from. When a passport card might be just what you need for travel there are few travelers in this world who arent interested in trying to save money while on vacation. Do you need a passport to visit the bahamas as us citizen.
Perhaps the biggest difference between a passport card and a traditional passport is that. This case is an unfortunate example of what can go wrong if you decide to cruise with just a passport card. What is the difference between a passport book and a passport. It can only be used for land and sea travel into the us from. Aug 21, 2019 if youre sticking to destinations in around north america bahamas, bermuda, caribbean, canada, maybe even some mexican ports the passport card should be enough. As it turned out, he was the one in for the unpleasant surprise. Dec 04, 2008 can i go on a cruise to the bahamas in february with the passport card i know you cant fly with it and im ok with that for now. Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. Passport card master april 2012 that one chick whos married to that one dude, on september 17, 2011 at 2. Passport card vs passport book carnival cruise lines. Department of state recommends the passport book as it is more versatile.
Also, the minors passport card is valid for 5 years just like the passport book. Learn more about how a passport card differs from a passport book. Traditional passports are valid for international travel by air, sea, and land. Passport vs passport card royal caribbean discussion. For instance, if there is a medical or family emergency, you will not be able to fly out of the country to return home. While the passport card is permissible for a cruise, you may want to reconsider getting the card over the 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. Technically you dont need either for that cruise, just a bc and phot id. It is my understanding that it is better to have them in case of emergency. The process of applying for or renewing a passport card is the same process thats used for the passport book. Passport cards and passport books are no exception. When traveling to the bahamas by sea, including on a private vessel or ferry such as a cruise line, americans of all ages must hold a valid passport book or passport card. 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. It is advisable for americans to obtain their passport early in the event of an emergency.
A us passport card is a travel document that can be used by us citizens to enter the. The requirements for both are the same and there is one application form for both. Your us passport book must be valid for the full duration of your cruise. Jan 02, 2020 the passport card is only valid for travel to canada and the bahamas. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Your passport book allows you to travel by land, by sea, or by air. A regular passport is navy blue, with the coat of arms of the bahamas emblazoned on the front cover.
Passport book vs passport card difference and comparison. Can you travel to the bahamas from the us without a passport. Passport cards are valid only for reentering the u. You can just slip it in your wallet, right behind your drivers license. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. 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. Differences between a passport book and passport card. Can you travel to bahamas with passport card answers.
Please note that the passport card can only be used if you are traveling to the bahamas by seaits no good for air travel. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. Additionally, the biodata page is made of polycarbonate. 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. 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. After he confirmed that his spouse could cruise with just a passport card, he booked their tropical vacation. The most obvious difference between passport books and passport cards is the design, of course.
State department offers an alternative to using a passport to travel between the u. Can you upgrade from a passport card to a passport book. Many foreign countries require nothing more for entry than a u. Passport book vs passport card first time cruisers. Passport book vs passport card for kids the dis disney. The walletsized passport card is designed to be more convenient and less cumbersome than regular passports. And, perhaps more importantly, the ones that will get you home. You must have the original copies of all required documents. 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. A passport card is valid for travel to and from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda at land border crossings and sea portsofentry. Aug 22, 2012 please note that the passport card can only be used if you are traveling to the bahamas by seaits no good for air travel. The passport card functions like a passport book for land and sea.
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