U.S. Passport Card vs. Passport Book: What It Does and What EB-5 Investors Should Know
August 18, 2025 · EB-5 · 8 min read
The passport card is a document few people pay much attention to. Yet it is an official travel document issued by the U.S. government, widely held within the United States: it is accepted as proof of identity at domestic airport security checkpoints, and it lets you re-enter the country by land or sea from neighboring countries that share a border.
So what exactly is a U.S. passport card, when is it the right document to carry, and how should you choose between the passport card and the passport book?
What is the U.S. passport card?
The U.S. passport card is a convenient travel document issued by the U.S. government for travel by land and by sea. It carries important limitations, and not everyone can hold one.
A U.S. passport book and a U.S. passport card
Key features of the U.S. passport card
- The U.S. passport card is a wallet-sized plastic card that serves as proof of U.S. citizenship and identity.
- The card is valid for the same length of time as a traditional U.S. passport book.
- Valid for land and sea travel only: the card is accepted when you enter the United States by land or sea from Canada, Mexico, Bermuda, and certain Caribbean countries.
- Not valid for international air travel: this is the most important limitation. The passport card cannot be used in place of the passport book on international flights.
- Lower cost: the card is considerably cheaper than a U.S. passport book.
- Who can use it: U.S. citizens only.
What this means for investors who already hold U.S. permanent residence or citizenship
- If you already hold U.S. citizenship, you can apply for a U.S. passport card. It is a convenient, low-cost option for frequent land or sea trips to neighboring countries such as Canada or Mexico, and it spares you from carrying your passport book on short journeys. Remember, though, that it cannot replace the passport book on international flights.
- If you are a permanent resident who does not yet hold citizenship, the U.S. passport card does not apply to you, because the card is issued to U.S. citizens only. Permanent residents continue to use their home-country passport together with their U.S. green card (permanent resident card) for international travel.
IMM Group: a strategic partner on your EB-5 green card journey
The global investment migration landscape is constantly shifting and increasingly complex. Investors need an advisory partner who not only helps them build a strong application but also gives their family peace of mind about the future. For the EB-5 U.S. green card by investment program and all of our global investment migration solutions, IMM Group stands apart as a strategic advisory partner, supporting you with experience and integrity.
A pioneering, long-established firm with more than 21 years of hands-on experience in Vietnam, IMM Group does more than advise: we design global investment migration solutions built on:
- Rigorous due diligence and risk management: Our experience successfully handling hundreds of cases, including complex ones, enables us to conduct multi-layered project due diligence and protect investors’ interests rigorously, even during market crises.
- In-depth professional consulting and full transparency: Every IMM Group advisor and case manager is certified in investment migration advisory by the Investment Migration Council (IMC). Our team analyzes benefits and risks in full, so you can make decisions based on complete and accurate information. We put our clients’ long-term interests first.
- Integrity and commitment every step of the way: Guided by our philosophy, “Serving with Authentic Values,” IMM Group stays with you from the first step until you have settled in your new country. Integrity is our foundation, reflected in our readiness to stand up for clients’ interests and to proactively refund service fees when risks beyond the client’s control arise, as set out in the contract.
- Receiving and giving back: Since 2025, IMM Group has operated as a nonprofit enterprise, committing at least 50% of its annual profits to the Be Better Fund. By choosing IMM Group, you also help hundreds of students facing exceptional hardship gain a chance to change their lives.
If you are considering U.S. residency by investment, contact IMM Group or leave your details below. Our experienced advisors will provide detailed guidance and help you assess your eligibility. We will keep your personal data confidential and use the information you provide only to advise on your family’s case.
IMM Group
- Tags:
- U.S. investor immigration through EB-5
- EB-5 U.S. green card by investment
- U.S. passport book
- U.S. passport card
- U.S. green card
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