Can you travel to the bahamas from the us without a passport. 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. Children too young to get a drivers license or other stateissued identification card. Can a passport card be used for travel to the bahamas from the u. Unless youre suspected of working illegally or overstaying your visa. Childrens passports are issued for 5 years, adult passports for 10 years. People who frequently cross the mexican or canadian border by car or train. The other acceptable forms of id are a valid passport, a federal government piv card, or a u. How a passport can help you fly domestically state. If you are traveling to the bahamas, do you need a passport. All passports are valid for a period of 5 years for persons under the age of 16 and 10 years for persons 16 years and older. Fold all 3 sheets along the dotted line in the center and layer them like a mini book. Citizens traveling to the bahamas on short trips for tourist or business purposes do not require a visa.
The passport card cannot be used for entry into the states by air. For the inside pages, we cut the paper in half and placed each printout on top of each other. Ok, the card is cheaper than a passport book, but what does it get you. By october 2020, youll need real id or your passport to. It is advisable for americans to obtain their passport early in the event of an emergency. 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. You can get a us passport card, whether or not you currently hold a passport book. Passport information bahamas visa requirements listed. You must have the original copies of all required documents. Posted by david march, 28th 2019 in frequently asked questions.
Notice by passport office please be advised that the passport office online appointment system has been discontinued. It may often be used as an identity card for purposes other than international travel, such as domestic air travel. H ave you ever wished your passport could fit inside your wallet. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to. Differences between a passport book and passport card.
Passports are nontransferable identification documents that are issued by the united states state department for the purpose of travel and identification. Digital pdf passport book world travel printable blank. Passport cards ask a cruise question cruise critic community. Do americans need a passport to travel to the bahamas or. In the united states, passport books verify citizenship and right to reenter ones home country such as the united states of america. All americans traveling to the bahamas by air must have a valid united. Can i use passport card the dis disney discussion forums. To protect yourself against emergency situations, go with a passport book, which covers all international travel by air, sea or land. With the cost of flights to the bahamas and other caribbean destinations. Passport books a guide on all united states passport books. Included are 11 swimming areas, 11 water slides, two lazy river rides, our protected paradise lagoon, the dig, the predators lagoon, all of our marine life habitats, and the ocean.
For frequent travelers traveling by land or sea only into the bahamas, a passport card could be considered a less expensive option. It is possible to travel from the united states to the bahamas on a cruise and enter both countries without any issues if you do not hold a passport book. Of course i plan on taking our regular ones, but if cards work in italy, i might decide to get one and carry that instead of a book. Do you need a passport to visit the bahamas as us citizen. Us citizens traveling to the bahamas by sea must have a valid passport. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. It depends on how you plan to travel to the bahamas. Cruises using a us passport card on a cruise anyone know for sure if a passport card may be used for a cruise. Bahamas passports requirements nassau paradise island. The passport card is only valid for travel to canada and the bahamas. Digital pdf passport book world travel printable blank cards or invitations most countries available by request edavis1031 apr 1, 2019 5 out of 5 stars. You only need a drivers license wphoto and birth certificate if its a closed loop cruise and your a us citizen. Lost or stolen passport application form travel visa plus.
Visit the bahamas immigration website for the most current visa information. Also, their port of entry and reentry should be the same. If youre renewing your passport book and passport card, you must submit both documents. However, travelling to the bahamas with a passport card or an enhanced drivers license means that you can only return to the united states by sea. Permanent residents of canada must travel with their permanent resident card and a valid passport from their country of origin. A passport card is the same size as a drivers license, and is official proof of your identity and us citizenship. When traveling by air from the bahamas, all us citizens must provide a valid us passport to enter or reenter the states. Your passport book can be used in any situation where a passport card could be used, but you may find that it is convenient for you to also have a passport card. Those traveling to the bahamas on a cruise may use another western hemisphere travel initiative whti. You cannot use a passport card when traveling by air internationally.
Even if its too late to get a passport in time for your vacation, you dont. Hi, how long should my passport be valid before it expires when i enter bahamas. Passport cards are particularly useful for some people. As our guest, you have full access to all atlantis water park features at no additional cost. Can you use the passport card for travel to the bahamas. Citizens of the bahamas in need of an identitytravel document must apply to the ministry of foreign affairs in order to. A passport card can only be used for land or sea travel. The difference between a passport book or card getaway usa. The passport card has the same validity as the passport book.
We make it simple to understand if you need a passport for your trip to the bahamas. Will there be any issues departing from the us or arivving into the bahamas. Passport cards ask a cruise question cruise critic. If any of the following apply to you, you may want to obtain a passport card. Passport information bahamas visa requirements listed for each country. Also, the minors passport card is valid for 5 years just like the passport book. The passport card functions like a passport book for land and sea. 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. Actually, the us passport card is a worthwhile investment if you live in a border state and cross into canada or mexico regularly or even just occasionally.
Using a us passport card on a cruise flyertalk forums. 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. Our cruise leaves long beach, ca and heading for ensenada mexico then back to long beach. I know by law we need to have them with us at all time. Can we use the card or does it need to be the passport book. A passport card and a passport book are both valid border passports. Thats because even though bahamian officials would let you into the. A 4 x 5 navy linen pocket with a passport emblem and the words passport and atlantis, paradise island, bahamas printed on the front in gold foil. And will it last for 5 years like the passport book does for minors.
Sep 10, 2017 it is possible to travel from the united states to the bahamas on a cruise and enter both countries without any issues if you do not hold a passport book. In truth, it is not necessary to have a passport in order to get into the bahamas, the same as we talk about not needing a passport for puerto rico. The bahamian passport is issued to citizens of the bahamas for international travel as of march 2019, bahamian citizens had visafree or visa on arrival access to 154 countries and territories, ranking the bahamian passport 26th in terms of travel freedom according to the henley visa restrictions index. The slow season for renewals runs between september and december. Different rules may apply for plane and boat travelers. Please complete a form ds64 statement regarding a lost or stolen passport, and sendbring it to the embassy. 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. While the passport card may protect you against certain scenarios and is superior to not having a passport at all, getting a passport book not only provides more coverage such as flying internationally, but it. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. Jan 18, 2019 in the united states, passport books verify citizenship and right to reenter ones home country such as the united states of america. While its always safest to cruise with a passport, theres a surprising loophole that means you might not need one. Basic passports for traveling to the bahamas usa today.
States residents to visit the bahamas, air travelers need one to get back into the. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western hemisphere travel initiative whti compliant document if they are on an officiallydesignated closedloop cruise. 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. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. If you have a passport book and you are eligible to use form ds82, you may apply for a passport card as a renewal by mail even if it is your first passport card. A laminated card that will not be sufficient in an emergency. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book. Stay tuned for the launch of our online services for the renewal of epassports, in the near future. An extra form of official government id which will conveniently fit in your wallet.
Citizens will need a us passport or passport card, or a whti compliant document. If your current passport was issued before you were 16 years of age or if it was issued more than 15 years ago, you must follow the instructions for apply for a passport. Digital pdf passport book world travel printable blank cards. If you plan to travel by air, you must obtain a passport book. The requirements for both are the same and there is one application form for both. But a passport is a valid form of us id that is acceptable, so it certainly has value in this situation. United states citizens, for example, can use a passport book or card, or an enhanced drivers license to enter the bahamas via sea border. Passport cards cannot be used on cruises from international homeports. If we are travelling to the bahamas from the us, will a passport card work fine. Fortunately, this inexpensive, hyperorganized wallet keeps everything safe and secure in a compact place.
By october 2020, youll need real id or your passport to fly. Atlantis bahamas resort frequently asked questions. However, travelling to the bahamas with a passport card or an enhanced drivers license means that. I am going to the bahamas in june, and need a passport, when i went to apply online, they gave me all three options, with the same criteria for each option, and no explantion of the difference between them. Visit the passport office for the renewal of your passport. Can a passport card be used for travel to the bahamas from. Do i need a passport book, passport card, or passport book and card. When traveling by air from the bahamas, all us citizens must provide a valid us passport to. Inside the pocket are four pearlized ecru cards, one is designed to look like an authentic passport at the top with a watermark image of the royal towers and a photo of you included. Check passport expiration dates carefully for all travelers. When traveling on usa departure closed loop cruises to whti countries there is no absolute need for a us citizen to. A passport book or card serve as proof of identity and citizenship.
Use your passport card to travel by land or sea to canada, mexico, bahamas and the caribbean without your bulky passport book. Once the cover page is printed, you simply need to fold it in half to create a passport book. May 24, 2016 while its always safest to cruise with a passport, theres a surprising loophole that means you might not need one. It also is useful if you or your state doesnt have a real id or enhanced dl which is now the minimal id required to fly domestically. Nobody is interested in seeing your entry stamp once youre inside italy. Atlantis bahamas resort frequently asked questions atlantis. The passport card is a cheaper alternative to the passport book. A passport card is a single sheet, a little larger than a drivers license, that has the same photo and personal information listed on the photo page of the passport book. According to the state department, the current processing time for routine service ranges from six to eight weeks. When traveling on usa departure closed loop cruises to whti countries there is no absolute need for a us citizen to carry a passport or any type, as of right now. 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. If you can submit a passport book, but you lost your passport card, you cannot. A passport is recommended as a just in case of emergency.