3 ms·

You can get a Nexus card or an Enhanced Driver's License in Canada to facilitate rapid border crossings by land (though passports are still required by air or s

by danudey 13y ago

You can get a Nexus card or an Enhanced Driver's License in Canada to facilitate rapid border crossings by land (though passports are still required by air or sea). The American passport that a recently-visiting friend brought was essentially an ID card the size of a driver's license, with RFID in it and the standard passport character coding on the bottom. I'm not sure if this is something supported in all other countries (since no passport stamping), but it seemed to do okay for our land crossings.

Nanzikambe 13y ago
What data does the chip actually contain? Is it an identifier linked to a database or does it actually contain your personal information? One reason I dislike biometric passports implementing RFID is because typically most suffer from poor implementation, it's like a one stop shop for identify theft for any nefarious type within a few meters of you.
snogglethorpe 13y ago
If you mean the U.S. "passport card", it's: "Valid when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. Not valid for international travel by air." http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card.html http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/...
- jimktrains2 13y ago
  I've never understood the point of the "passport card" option. I mean, I get that it's $100 difference, but never saw that as a reason to get one, and don't know why the state dept didn't just not come up with the idea and make everyone get a proper passport.
  - brewdad 13y ago
    Say you live in Portland, OR. Canada is less than 300 miles away, an easy drive. Oregon doesn't offer any type of "enhanced" license valid for border crossings. (I'm not sure their licenses even meet all of the standards for domestic air travel). If you only ever travel to Canada, the passport card might make sense.
  - blueskin_ 13y ago
    IF the only places you go to are Canada and/or Mexico, it probably makes sense for the price difference.

by danudey 13y ago

Nanzikambe 13y ago

What data does the chip actually contain? Is it an identifier linked to a database or does it actually contain your personal information? One reason I dislike biometric passports implementing RFID is because typically most suffer from poor implementation, it's like a one stop shop for identify theft for any nefarious type within a few meters of you.

snogglethorpe 13y ago

If you mean the U.S. "passport card", it's: "Valid when entering the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. Not valid for international travel by air." http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/information/card.html http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english/passports/...

jimktrains2 13y ago
I've never understood the point of the "passport card" option. I mean, I get that it's $100 difference, but never saw that as a reason to get one, and don't know why the state dept didn't just not come up with the idea and make everyone get a proper passport.
- brewdad 13y ago
  Say you live in Portland, OR. Canada is less than 300 miles away, an easy drive. Oregon doesn't offer any type of "enhanced" license valid for border crossings. (I'm not sure their licenses even meet all of the standards for domestic air travel). If you only ever travel to Canada, the passport card might make sense.
- blueskin_ 13y ago
  IF the only places you go to are Canada and/or Mexico, it probably makes sense for the price difference.