We all know that in order to gain entry to other countries, one must have a passport. If you’re living in the U.S., it is good to know that there are different passport types, and each one can be obtained differently.
Listed below are the four passport types that are issued by the U.S. Government and their descriptions:
- Regular Passport – This blue-colored passport is issued by the U.S. Government to citizens and nationals who are born in Swains Island or American Samoa. This is also referred to as a tourist passport, though it has other uses as well.
- Official Passport – This one is issued to a U.S. Government official when travelling abroad and is used for official purposes. This type of passport can be used for 5 years and needs to be surrendered once the official’s duty ends.
- Diplomatic Passport – This passport is issued to a U.S. Citizen who has a diplomatic status and is used by the owner in order to carry out the diplomatic duties assigned by the U.S. Government. This type of passport lasts for up to five years and must be returned when the diplomat’s duty ends.
- Passport Card – The passport card can also be used in the same purpose as the regular one. However, it can only be used in the Caribbean Islands, Mexico, Bermuda and Canada and is limited for use in land and sea travel. It can be used by those who are under sixteen for five years while those who are sixteen years and older can use it for ten years.