Feb 12, 2019 the passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. Can a passport card be used for travel to the bahamas from. I suggest you get the card since you are going on a cruise. A passport book can get you to so many more places internationally, and in the case of an. The passport card will facilitate entry and expedite document processing at u. Permanent residents of canada must travel with their permanent resident card and a valid passport from. The maximum period of stay will be documented in your passport and may vary dependent on the discretion of the immigration officer at port of entry.
If youre a citizen of the united states, and youre thinking about traveling to mexico, but you dont yet have a passport, you might consider getting a passport card instead of a regular passport book. In the event of a family, medical, personal or business emergency, where the traveler must fly back to the u. Even if you do take a cruise without a passport you still need travel insurance. Official birth certificate and a supporting government issued photo id, like a drivers license or an identity card. United states citizens, for example, can use a passport book or card. Do you need a passport to go on a cruise to the bahamas. Nov 02, 2018 if you desire to go through the air, i mean if you want to go back to your country via plane, then you need to carry your passport book along with you. It is advisable for americans to obtain their passport early in the event of an emergency. Canadians must present a passport to visit the bahamas, which must be valid for at least three months beyond the date of expected departure from that country. The bahamian government only requires proof of citizenship e. The passport card is not valid for air travel, only land and sea. To apply for or renew both the book and card, check the appropriate box at the top of the form to.
You do not need to have a passport to travel to puerto rico. Closedloop cruises are the primary exceptions to the rule that those arriving in the u. Passport information bahamas visa requirements listed. If you are traveling by sea, then you can use a us passport card, enhanced. One reason that its wise to have a passport to go to the bahamas which means you can stay longer than a cruise stop is that you can island hop between the bahamas best beaches, like gold rock beach on grand bahama island and. The card may not be used to travel by air outside the united states. If you are looking to book a cruise you may be wondering if you need a passport to cruise. You can travel to this island with your real idcompliant drivers license or id card. Aug 22, 2012 to travel to the bahamas from the united states you will need a passport booklet form if you are traveling by air. Heres everything you need to know about the travel documents that will. Exceptions are always there, those who love to or desire to travel by sea, there is relaxation for them. However, whether you need a passport card or a book depends on how you travel to the islands. Do you need a passport to visit the bahamas as us citizen.
Visit this link to find out what is required for your country. If you are traveling by sea, you can use a passport book or one of the following documents. Basic passports for traveling to the bahamas usa today. Citizens will need a us passport or passport card, or a whti compliant document. United states citizens, for example, can use a passport book or card, or an enhanced drivers license to enter the bahamas via sea border. The passport card is the size of a drivers license and is used for convenience as it is smaller and cheaper than the passport book. Do americans need a passport to travel to the bahamas or.
It is about the size of a drivers license and costs less, but cannot be used for air travel. You should know that the passport card is only valid for travel by land and sea within mexico, canada, bermuda, and the caribbean, and you can not use it for air travel or for travel to other. Can you travel to the bahamas from the us without a passport. To view the entry requirements for your country of birth, please visit the link below. Some states notably washington, new york, vermont and michigan have enhanced drivers licenses that feature a microchip for identification at border crossings, and those will suffice if you want to cruise without a passport. Passport cards, like passport books, are valid for 10 years from the date of issue or 5 years, for children age 15 and younger. Passport requirements for cruise passengers royal caribbean. Find out if you need a passport to go on a cruise celebrity. An adult passport card looks similar to a drivers license, and is valid for ten years.
While you do not technically need a passport to go to the bahamas, you do need one for reentry into the united states. If you plan to travel by air, you must obtain a passport book. If you already hold a passport book, your card will be issued with a different number. Do you need a passport to go to the bahamas by cruise. Right now, if youre traveling to or from the bahamas by sea, all you need is governmentissued photo identification and proof of citizenship, such as your birth certificate. A us passport card is a travel document that can be used by us citizens to enter. A passport card and a passport book are both valid border passports. The passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. The bahamas only requires that you prove your citizenship and present a picture i. If, for example, you are taking a cruise from australia which doesnt visit any other countries you would still need travel insurance as you will enter international waters.
Other parts of the world and when traveling to the mentioned places by air, always a passport. However, the passport card cannot be used for travel by plane. Passport book allows you to travel by land, sea and air. Jun 03, 2014 the passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. Even though the above are valid travel documents, the u. You cant use a passport card for flying, but you can use one to enter the united states by sea and land from canada, mexico, the caribbean and bermuda. Passport a us passport for bahamas is an important travel document you need to have if you visit these islands. Americans may enter the unites states from the bahamas by sea using a passport, passport card, or other western. To lay it all out there for you, just know that there are a number of different forms of identification that you can use in order to gain entrance into the bahamas, so you can pack light when traveling as you. It will otherwise carry the rights and privileges of the u. It is meant for people who live and work near the border, as you can only use the passport card for travel by land and sea. Those traveling to the bahamas on a cruise may use another western hemisphere travel initiative whti. If issued for the full validity, they are both proof of your u.
Citizens of other countries may need a visa to enter the bahamas. The passport book is valid for land, sea, and air travel. United states residents visiting the bahamas via roundtrip flights must have. Do i need a passport to fly round trip to the bahamas. Bahamas passports requirements nassau paradise island. Frequently asked questions do you need a passport to go to the bahamas. To enter the bahamas, you must have a passport valid for at least six months from the date of departure. If you desire to go through the air, i mean if you want to go back to your country via plane, then you need to carry your passport book along with you. Can you travel to bahamas with passport card answers. What are the benefits of the passport book vs passport card. Travel articles do you need a passport or a passport card.
Do you need a passport card or passport book to travel by. See the chart below to decide which is best for you. But a passport is a valid form of us id that is acceptable, so it certainly has value in this situation. If you are in doubt, buying a passport is always a good idea. However, travelling to the bahamas with a passport card or an enhanced drivers license means that. Effective june, 2009, a passport, passport card, or other western hemisphere travel initiative whticompliant documentation is required for us citizens to enter or reenter the united states. A passport book is the best travel document for cruising the waves, but a passport card is a cheaper, more convenient alternative for certain types of international travel, including cruises. Do you need a passport to take a cruise from the u. To travel to the bahamas from the united states you will need a passport booklet form if you are traveling by air. All visitors require a return or onward ticket, confirmed hotel booking or letter of invitation if staying. A passport card can only be used for land or sea travel.
The issue of whether or not you need a valid passport to get into the country is one that will come up as you make your preparations. Changing travel regulations have left many people scratching their heads, wondering whether or not you need a passport to go the bahamas. However, if you plan on flying to other islands in the caribbean, you need a passport book. You need a passport for cruises to and from foreign ports. Citizens you will need a valid passport and, in some cases, a visa.
Passport refers to a valid passport from the individuals country of birth. 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 passport card functions like a passport book for land and sea. But the big important difference is that a passport card is only valid at land and sea borders. For frequent travelers traveling by land or sea only into the bahamas, a passport card could be considered a less expensive option. Department of state, performs the same function of identifying the holder as a u. While the same documents will allow you to reenter the. Jun 30, 2016 united states citizens, for example, can use a passport book or card, or an enhanced drivers license to enter the bahamas via sea border.
Any time you board an international flight, you will need a valid us passport book. The reason is because although us citizens can enter the bahamas without a passport, they can not legally reenter the us without proper documentation. If your ship had to end the cruise at a foreign port due to a mechanical issue or if you had an emergency need to fly home, a passport book would have been required for reentry into the us from a foreign port. 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. Visit the bahamas immigration website for the most current visa information. Rightno passport needed as i would guess you stopped at a foreign port en route to nyc. If you are using an electronic ticket, please show immigration a copy of your travel itinerary and ticket number. It is meant for people who live and work near the border, as you can only use the. Also, their port of entry and reentry should be the same. The passport card passport card sample, image courtesy travel. British and american passport holders can enter with less than six months remaining on their passports if visiting for up to 21 days.
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. There are ways around it, like using a passport card, instead of a passport book. Nassau, bahamas if you are cruising to the bahamas from the u. Thus, practically speaking, you need either a passport card or.
Six caribbean islands you can visit without a passport. One reason that its wise to have a passport to go to the bahamas which means you can stay longer than a cruise stop is that you can island hop between the bahamas best beaches, like gold rock beach on grand bahama island and cabbage beach on paradise island. Oct 05, 2018 if so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. Bahamas on short trips for tourist or business purposes do not require a visa. The passport card can be used only to reenter the u. The passport card is the size of a drivers license and fits in your wallet. Us citizens traveling to the bahamas by sea must have a valid passport. What travel documents do i need to board a royal caribbean cruise ship u. Passport card is only good for land and sea travels between the us, mexico, canada, and the caribbean.
Mar 18, 2020 the passport card, meanwhile, is both less expensive and less flexible. If so, youve probably noticed the option for a passport card. If you are traveling to the bahamas, do you need a passport. Also, the minors passport card is valid for 5 years just like the passport book. The requirements for both are the same and there is one application form for both. Since the bahamas is not part of the united states, you need federal identification to travel there. 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. Well, if youre a us citizen or a green card holder, there are a host of places you can visit no passport required, just a governmentissued photo id. 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 allows you to travel beyond simply cruises. Effective june 1st, 2009, the requirements to travel to the bahamas have changed. Please see this entry for the most up to date information changing travel regulations have left many people scratching their heads, wondering whether or not you need a passport to go the bahamas.
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