People may be more familiar with the former name for a 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 cards isn’t presently known, but as of May, 2009, in excess of 1,000,000 cards were issued.

Potential applicants to obtain the new passport card should be aware that it’s not suitable for all sorts of international travel. This is because the CAO fails to recognize this card to be used for such purposes. Too, the new passport card is available to citizens and nationals only who are living in the country legally with documentation.

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.

Also, the card is being issued in a sleeve that prevents the chip being read when it’s not being used. This card will be valid for entering the US from Mexico, Canada, the Caribbean and also Bermuda. This will be valid at land or border crossings and sea ports. It won’t be valid for air travel. The TSA has announced that it will honor the card, as identity, at security checkpoints at airports. It can also be used within the United States for air travel and to enter federal buildings. This could be an option for people who are settled in the United States possessing driver’s licenses that aren’t compliant.

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 U.S. passport 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 American 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.

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