A U.S. passport card is an official travel and identity document issued by the U.S. Department of State. It is a wallet-sized plastic card that proves your U.S. citizenship and identity. While it offers several benefits, it cannot replace a passport book for all types of international travel. 

What Is a U.S. Passport Card? 

The U.S. passport card is a government-issued travel document. It is the size of a credit card and made of durable plastic. The card is valid for the same number of years as a passport book. It also includes advanced security features to help prevent fraud. In addition, it serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity and functions as a wallet-sized photo ID. 

Where Can You Use It?

A U.S. passport card is valid for travel by land and sea only between the United States and:

• Canada
• Mexico
• Bermuda
• Some Caribbean countries

It is commonly used for:

• Driving across U.S. land border crossings with Canada 
• Driving across the U.S.-Mexico border
• Returning to the U.S. from eligible destinations by land
• Closed-loop cruises and other eligible sea travel

Where Can’t You Use It? 

A passport card cannot be used for:

• International flights
• Flying to Canada
• Flying to Mexico
• Flying to Europe
• Flying to Asia
• Flying to South America
• Travel requiring visa pages or passport stamps

For any international air travel, you must carry a passport book. 

Differences Between a Passport Card and a Passport Book 

Can It Be Used for Domestic Flights?

Yes. The passport card is REAL ID compliant, meaning it can be used instead of a REAL ID driver’s license when flying within the United States.

Validity 

Who Should Get a Passport Card?

It is ideal for people who:

• Frequently drive to Canada
• Frequently drive to Mexico
• Take cruises to Bermuda or the Caribbean
• Live near U.S. land border crossings 
• Want a convenient backup government ID
• Need a REAL ID-compliant identification document

Who Should NOT Rely Only on a Passport Card?

A passport card alone is not sufficient if you:

• Travel internationally by airplane
• Study abroad
• Work overseas
• Need visas
• Plan international vacations outside the eligible land/sea destinations
• Want one document for all international travel

In these situations, a passport book is the better choice.

Cost (2026) 

First-time passport card: $65

• $30 application fee
• $35 acceptance fee

Passport card renewal (adults): $30 

Children (Under 16) 

First-time passport card: $50

• $15 application fee
• $35 acceptance fee

Additional fees apply if you request expedited processing or faster shipping. 

How to Apply

You use the same application forms used for a passport book. 

First-time applicants

Use Form DS-11 and apply in person. You’ll generally need:

• Proof of U.S. citizenship
• Government-issued photo ID
• Passport photo
• Completed application
• Applicable fees

How to Renew a U.S. Passport Card 

Eligible adults can renew a U.S. passport card by mail using Form DS-82. If you are renewing both your passport book and passport card together, include both documents with your application. 

Can You Have Both a Passport Book and Card?

Yes, you can have both a U.S. passport book and a passport card at the same time. Many Americans choose to carry both. The passport book is used for international air travel, while the passport card is convenient for land and sea border crossings, cruises, and serves as a wallet-sized photo ID. You can apply for either document separately or request both together.

Can You Get a Passport Card if You Already Have a Passport Book?

Yes. If you already have a passport book, you can apply for your first passport card. Likewise, if you have a passport card, you can later obtain a passport book.

Security Features

The passport card includes advanced security technology, including:

• Embedded radio frequency identification (RFID) technology
• Unique identification number
• Anti-counterfeiting features
• Machine-readable security elements

These features help speed processing at certain U.S. land border crossings, including Ready Lanes.

Can It Be Used Instead of a Driver’s License?

Yes, in many situations, a U.S. passport card can be used instead of a driver’s license for identification. It is a federally issued wallet-sized photo ID accepted for domestic flights, identity verification, and other federal purposes where government-issued identification is required. However, it cannot replace a driver’s license for driving a motor vehicle. 

Advantages

• Lower cost than a passport book
• Wallet-sized and easy to carry
• REAL ID compliant
• Valid for domestic air travel
• Convenient for U.S. land border crossings with Canada and Mexico 
• Useful for cruises to eligible destinations
• Durable plastic design
• Long validity (10 years for adults)

Limitations

• Cannot be used for international air travel
• No visa pages
• Limited geographic coverage
• Not suitable for most overseas trips
• Cannot receive immigration entry or exit stamps like a passport book 

The post What Is a US Passport Card? Eligibility, Fees, and Travel Rules appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.

Key Takeaways:

• The DHS has proposed cutting EB-5 filing fees by up to 17 percent, with the I-526 and I-829 petitions seeing major cost savings for investors.

• A new $95 technology fee will fund USCIS’s shift to digital processing, improving efficiency and transparency in the EB-5 application system.

• The proposal aims to make the EB-5 program more affordable and investor-friendly, while maintaining program integrity and faster adjudication timelines.

The US Department of Homeland Security has announced a significant overhaul of the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program fee structure, proposing reductions of up to 17 percent for foreign investors seeking American permanent residency through investment. The proposed rule, published in the Federal Register on October 23, 2025, marks a rare policy shift that could save investors and regional centers thousands of dollars per filing.​

An Overview of the EB-5 Program

Through the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, the U.S. welcomes global investors. The program issues about 10,000 visas every year. A minimum of $1.05 million must be invested in a venture that creates 10 jobs for U.S. workers. Investments made in targeted employment areas qualify at a reduced level of $800,000. These areas generally include rural regions, localities with high unemployment, or infrastructure-based projects. By meeting the program’s criteria, investors can secure permanent resident status and U.S. green cards for themselves and their families.

Proposed Fee Reductions

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services has introduced a proposal to lower EB-5 processing fees and help investors save more. It plans to drop I-526 and I-526E fees from $11,160 to $9,625, offering a 14 percent decrease and $1,535 in savings for each applicant. It also proposes to reduce the I-829 petition fee, which allows investors to remove conditions from their permanent residency, by 17 percent, cutting the cost from $9,525 to $7,860 and saving $1,665 per investor. 

Regional centers that pool EB-5 investments for large projects will experience even steeper cuts, with some fees reduced by as much as 61 percent. The I-956 Regional Center Designation fee will fall from $47,695 to $28,895, while amendment fees will plummet from $47,695 to $18,480. Investment project approval forms will decrease to $29,935, and annual statement fees will drop to $2,740.​ 

New Technology Fee Implementation

Despite the overall fee reductions, DHS is introducing a new $95 technology fee for all EB-5 applications. This fee is designed to modernize the USCIS Immigrant Investor Program Office by transitioning from paper-based processing to electronic filing systems. The technology charge will be included in all petition fees and aims to enhance processing efficiency and improve the overall investor experience.​ 

Additional Program Changes

The proposed regulation creates a new Form I-527 specifically for investors whose Regional Center was prohibited or dismissed, particularly those who filed prior to March 2022 and are awaiting decisions. The rule also codifies fees and penalties associated with the EB-5 Integrity Fund and clarifies requirements for children and spouses of alien investors who are not listed on the primary investor’s Form I-829.​ 

DHS states that the fee adjustments better reflect the actual cost of processing EB-5 applications and align with operational needs under the EB-5 Reform and Integrity Act of 2022. The proposal also establishes new processing time goals, aiming to adjudicate most regional center petitions within 240 days and new regional center designations within 180 days.​ 

Impact on Annual Program Volume

The proposed fee schedule would impact approximately 11,260 EB-5 program form filings annually, decreasing overall form fees by about 14.7 percent. This move comes at a time when most other immigration fees are rising, making the EB-5 fee reductions particularly noteworthy for prospective investors. The reductions also followed just 18 months after USCIS implemented massive fee increases of up to 204 percent, making this policy reversal both unexpected and significant for the immigration investment community.​ 

The proposed rule is open for public comment for 60 days following its Federal Register publication. If finalized, the new fee structure could enhance the program’s accessibility and attractiveness to foreign investors while maintaining program integrity through modernized processing systems.​ 

Those pursuing EB-5 investment opportunities can start their journey with convenient India to USA flights available at competitive fares. Booking through Indian Eagle flight deals ensures cost-effective travel while preparing for a new business venture in America.

FAQs 

What is the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program?

The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program allows foreign investors to obtain U.S. permanent residency (a green card) by investing in American businesses that create or preserve at least 10 full-time jobs for U.S. workers. 

How much investment is required for the EB-5 visa?

Investors must invest $1.05 million in a standard business or $800,000 if the investment is made in a Targeted Employment Area (TEA), typically rural regions or areas with high unemployment.

How many EB-5 visas are issued each year?

The U.S. government allocates approximately 10,000 EB-5 visas annually for qualified investors and their immediate family members. 

Who can apply for the EB-5 visa?

Any foreign national who can prove a lawful source of investment funds and meets the job creation requirement can apply for the EB-5 program.

What benefits do EB-5 investors and their families receive?

Successful EB-5 applicants receive U.S. green cards, allowing them and their families to live, work, and study anywhere in the United States.

The post USCIS Plans Fee Reductions to Make EB-5 Investments More Affordable appeared first on Travel Blog | Travel Inspiration, Tips and News | Travel Diary.