any use of passport card if you only cross international borders by air?

[spoonsphere]

hi there,

as i understand it, the passport card can only be used if you are traveling by land or sea between the u.s., canada and mexico. if you only intend to cross international borders by air, where a passport book is required, is there any value in having a passport card?

thanks,
-s

 

[Vorpal]

hi there,

as i understand it, the passport card can only be used if you are traveling by land or sea between the u.s., canada and mexico. if you only intend to cross international borders by air, where a passport book is required, is there any value in having a passport card?

thanks,
-s

The passport card is useless for international air travel. However, it's good to have in case you lose your passport. In that case, you can submit the passport card as proof of citizenship when applying for a replacement passport, instead of having to submit your natz certificate again.

 

[Huracan]

It's good as a backup for passport book, and for now it is useful also to apply for a job as a document for I-9. I wouldn't be surprised if it also gets accepted as an ID document to get into federal buildings or airplanes. Only time will tell.

 

[fbanna79]

Well, I did not apply for one because I thaught book will suffice as I only travel by air. But using it as a backup is a good reason. hmmmmmmmmmmmmmm

 

[saf]

In the very future, rules may be changed to allow to use passport card to travel by air and to allow travelers to use passport card from anywhere to usa using passport card. it is not official.

Right now and officially, the passport card facilitates entry and expedites document processing at U.S. land and sea ports-of-entry when arriving from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda only. The card may not be used to travel by air.

Passport booklet is the best.. Unfortunately, it is not waterproof if you want to swim with passport in the sea or lake or pond or swimming pool.

 

[rick92]

Or you could also get the Enhanced Driver License from the State of New York and the State of Washington which serves as proof of US Citizenship when crossing the borders by SEA and LAND to Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

This document is sponsored by the Dept of Homeland Security and is in compliance with the Federal ID Act.-

REAL ID is a nationwide effort to improve the integrity and security of state-issued driver's licenses and identification cards, which in turn will help fight terrorism and reduce fraud.

REAL ID compliant licenses and ID cards must meet minimum standards which include (1) information and security features that must be incorporated into each card : (2) applicant's proof of identity and U.S. citizenship status (3) verification of the applicant's source documents and (4) security standards for issuers of licenses and identification cards.

 

[mauriciopelli]

The best benefit of enhanced dl will be to deny drivers license to illegals. That way they won't have any valid ID and be unable to drive.

 

[cafeconleche]

Since the Real ID deal was passed, they're saying that citizens of states that don't comply with the requirement to issue enhanced DLs won't be able to use their DLs to board planes and stuff, so the passport card would be useful then (for ID domestically).

 

[Vorpal]

The best benefit of enhanced dl will be to deny drivers license to illegals. That way they won't have any valid ID and be unable to drive.

...So they'll drive without a license. Most states don't issue DLs to illegals, yet they drive anyway. In fact, there are plenty of LEGAL unlicensed drivers.

 

[mauriciopelli]

Yeah, when the illegals get caught by traffic cops, they will be bused to deportation centers and deported. What happens to DL issued by states issuing them to illegals? maybe they will stop that.

 

[Vorpal]

Yeah, when the illegals get caught by traffic cops, they will be bused to deportation centers and deported. What happens to DL issued by states issuing them to illegals? maybe they will stop that.

The only problem with that is the fact that many police departments (NYPD being one of them) don't report to USCIS/ICE. However, since unlicensed operation is considered a crime in most states, perhaps they WILL.