Travel Passport card can fit in walletPassport card can fit in wallet People who travel, chafe at the cost of a passport or worry about carrying one to the beach soon will have a cheaper, easier option. The government is on the cusp of releasing passport cards that fit in a wallet and cost half the price of a new passport. Over 500,000 Americans have applied for the new card, the latest step in ratcheting up security at the borders. People that apply now can expect a four week wait for cards. The U. S. State Department expects the number of applications to swell to 4 million by June 1, 2009. That’s when U.S. people cannot re-enter the country from Mexico, Canada or the Caribbean without a passport, a new passport card or an equivalent document. Starting in January, people could no longer re-enter the country from Mexico or Canada by verbally declaring their U.S. citizenship. They must carry valid identification documents, but a grace period remains in effect until next summer. Ultimately, millions of passport cards should be in circulation, helping frequent visitors who go by land or sea. A regular passport is still required for air passengers. The changes stem from the Western Hemisphere Initiative, one of a string of post Sept. 11 security requirements. How to get one. How and where to get the new Passport cards: Cost: $45 for adults; $35 for minors; $20 for all passport holders. Process time: About four weeks. Renewal time: 10 years for adults, five years for those under 10. Where to go to get them: There are 9,300 places nation wide, which you can search by zip code at, iafdb.travel.state.gov.
|
