The passport card is not valid for international air travel. It can only be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda, via land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry.
The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. In March 2011, the card cost first time adult applicants $55, and first time minors $40, compared to $135 and $105, respectively, for first time book applicants. The card also costs less to renew, with adults charged $30 instead of $110 for the book. First time adult applicants who wish to hold both forms of identification must pay $165, with minors issued both forms for $120.
When closed, the passport book measures 5 inches by 3.5 inches. The card is smaller and lighter as it is designed to slip inside a wallet.
The passport card aims to speed up the process of entering and leaving the U.S. by providing Customs and Border Protection inspectors with instant access to the holder's photo and biographical information. As the traveler approaches an inspection station, the RFID chip is scanned by roadside technology and the holder's relevant information displayed to inspectors.
Due to its size, the passport card does not contain as many embedded security features as its paper counterpart. No personal information is contained on the RFID chip, with the card utilizing laser engraving technology. Issued with a protective sleeve to protect against unauthorized reading or tracking, the card can also not be copied or forged.
