People may be more familiar with the former name for a USA Passport card, the People Access Security Service Card, or PASS card. The new passport card is an alternative to a passport in order to meet the requirements of the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative.
Although the process for applications began several months earlier, the new card became available in July, 2008 to the public. The current number of issued passport card isn’t presently known, but as of May, 2009, in excess of 1,000,000 cards were issued.
The U.S. passport card is issued only to nationals and United States citizens. The card cannot be used for international air travel because they do not meet International Civil Aviation Organization document standards.
The United States Department of State decided to issue this card in response to border community residents’ needs for a more portable alternative to the traditional booklet form. The card also includes a vicinity-read radio frequency identification chip with a one of a kind identifying number tied to government databases. The chip is designed to be readable at a further distance.
This card has a protective sleeve that blocks RFID while inside. REAL ID is an Act that allows that the new passport card will also be accepted for federal purposes. This includes domestic air travel or entrance to federal buildings. TSA regulations list the card as an acceptable identity document at airport security checkpoints. This convenient, new ‘passport card’ is legal for entering the United States from our bordering countries: Mexico and Canada, as well as Bermuda and the Caribbean. This card ‘passport’ will be only legal at land, sea port or border crossings. It won’t be legal for other air travel.
The new and handy ‘passport’ card will be legal for entering the United States from Mexico, Canada, Bermuda and the Caribbean. The card-passport will be only valid at land, seaport or border crossings. It will not be valid for other air travel. Another feature is that the passport ‘card’ can be used for the form required for employment eligibility (I-9). This has been authorized by the US Citizen-Immigration Services. This means the card qualifies as a List A document for new hires’ employment eligibility. So now this convenient card can prove eligibility for any prospective employee seeking work in the United States.
The total charge of $35 will provide a card valid for five years. Renewal fees will be $10. An adult, 16 years of old and older will pay the same $25 processing fee along with $20 for the passport. Renewal fees are $20. The card will remain valid for 10 years. For first-time applicants who are adults, the cost will be $120.00; for first time minor applicants, the cost will be $95.00. For a wallet size card, the cost is $25.00 when you apply for both documents at the same time.
For adults who wish to purchase a new passort card, the cost is $20 if they already have a valid passport. If you wish to hold both this card as well as the book, and you are a citizen or a national, you will be allowed to possess both. So now passport identification will be easier and more convenient with a smaller, compact and handy US card passport! This was a wonderful idea that many will find easier. One less thing to worry about when traveling.
