My understanding is “Real-ID” is the only thing in 2026 to fly. A passport is not enough? Anyone know? How do foreigners fly? Bob Wilson
Real ID is good for domestic flights and some cruise ships. You'll need a passport card and/or REAL passport to cross into another country. I've crossed into Canada & Mexico with my passport card in a car; but I still had my REAL passport on me - just in case. This was before the current administration started 'pissing everyone off'. Your REAL passport will always "Trump" the passport card. Whenever I renew, I always get both and keep them is separate places while traveling. I haven't had any issues, but I haven't lost either while traveling - so basically don't know what happens when you show up at the US embassy in a foreign country with just your passport card or nothing at all, but claiming to be a US citizen. If they let you into the country, you obviously had a valid REAL passport on you at some point.
I carry the card in my wallet. The passport book is saved in case I need a visa. Just I’m not that curious about foreign travel. I really got it as an alternative to ‘real-id.’ Bob Wilson
I've had both for about two decades now and just the passport book before that. I didn't rush out to get a 'real ID' because I had the card. My DL eventually expired and I upgraded to a real ID. It was funny looking at the lines wrapped around the DMV in those months following the LAST deadline - it was extended several times. I believe my DL expired during the first deadline extension.
Someone told you wrong. TSA lists many acceptable IDs. Both U.S. and foreign passports are on this list: Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint | Transportation Security Administration Acceptable Identification at the TSA Checkpoint Adult passengers 18 and older must show valid identification at the airport checkpoint in order to travel. The list of acceptable IDs is subject to change without notice. TSA strongly encourages you check this list again before traveling, so you do not arrive at the airport without acceptable ID. State-issued REAL ID-compliant driver's licenses or identification cards If you are not sure if your ID complies with REAL ID, check with your state department of motor vehicles (or equivalent). A temporary driver’s license is not an acceptable form of identification. State-issued Enhanced Driver's License (EDL) or Enhanced Identification Card (EID) Mobile Driver's Licenses (mDLs): TSA accepts certain mDLs issued by states that have been approved for Federal use. The mDL must be based on a REAL ID, EDL, or EID. Approved states are listed at Participating States and Eligible Digital IDs | Transportation Security Administration U.S. passport U.S. passport card DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST) U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents Permanent resident card Border crossing card An acceptable photo ID issued by a federally recognized Tribal Nation/Indian Tribe, including Enhanced Tribal Cards (ETCs) HSPD-12 PIV card Foreign government-issued passport Canadian provincial driver's license or Indian and Northern Affairs Canada card Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Employment Authorization Card (I-766) U.S. Merchant Mariner Credential Veteran Health Identification Card (VHIC) TSA is also accepting the following Digital Identification as a part of our ongoing testing efforts to strengthen identity security: Apple Digital ID Clear ID Google ID Pass
Real ID is a verified drivers license - typically verified with a birth certificate or passport. In Texas drivers license renewals required verification of this type many years ago. For international travel a passport is needed and for a few bucks more you can get a passport card. These days what you really want is a passport, TSA Precheck and ideally Global Entry. Both get you in faster lines with less checks; the first getting on any US flight domestic or international and the second getting through customs when returning to the US. Both are real time and stress reducers.
My state issues Standard and Enhanced, Driver Licenses and ID cards. "REAL ID is a law, not an actual piece of ID." Proof of U.S. citizenship and social security number are required for an EDL or EID. But non-citizen drivers need driver licenses too, so the Standard version remains available for them, and for citizens who don't wish to pay the up-charge or link their DL to their other documents. The same applies to state ID cards issued to residents who don't drive but still need an ID. Both of these are real and verified, but not REAL ID. Does Texas have any driver licensing for non-citizens?
Yes although visitors with their countries license don't need a Texas license. Insurance is required as well. With that said a huge percentage of all drivers have no insurance.
I fly to get to work a few times a month. I do not have a real ID. I do have a US passport. it's fine, it's plenty good. You don't even have to get the full book-style passport, the cheaper card-style one is also valid. I will probably get a real ID at some point, but since I have to fly internationally for some of my work I've already committed to carrying a passport anyway. I've never bothered with pre-check, global entry or the rest. There have been a handful of occasions where it would have saved me a few minutes getting through security... so I could spend time appreciating a slightly different part of the airport. Just never made much of a difference to me. If I ever get a gig in Antarctica I'll be able to claim that I've worked on all 7 contintents.
"How do foreigners fly?" In same plane with you nyuck nyuck. How do foreigners enter is a richer tapestry and probably generally but incompletely known. Passports from country of citizenship are always required. Visas are not additionally required for (90 day or less time in) US from 42 countries: Visa Waiver Program However if persons from those 42 countries have passport stamps from a few 'hot' countries, they need to buy entry with visas: USA Now Allows Visa-Free Entry for Citizens of 41 Countries. And I cannot promise that they'd be allowed entry even with visa purchase. It was brought to my attention that foreigners only transiting through US airports towards other destinations need to buy US visas as if they were entering US as such. Our departed member hkmb told me that. To my knowledge US is only country doing that. Those wishing to enter US from other countries buy visas (SOP). Additional requirements for citizens of some countries to disclose 5 years of social media activity has been added recently. It strikes me as kinda weird and I don't know how it will play out. -- As US citizen residing in a (scary) foreign country, I was advised by employer years ago to not enter US with my computer or telephone. Because those could 'legally' be taken from me for examination. So I do not. My computer contains very important files, although none are treasony. Phone has travel photos. My wife is a Chinese citizen wishing to travel (again) to US but I have asked her to wait a few years for rationality to return. Meanwhile we can travel to many other interesting rational places. == In the large tapestry of international travel, I do not think that Real ID amounts to much.
Two points: My insurance agent mentioned that when I went in to review my coverage when I turned 65. He recommends a minimum of a quarter million in uninsured motorist coverage, making the point the worst drivers are often uninsured. And odds are that if someone hits you, they will be uninsured. Passport Card: Cheaper than most state's Real ID or a passport book and you get it faster than the passport book. And it fits in your wallet, unlike the book. But it is basically only good for domestic flights and getting you across the border into Canada and Mexico. The local passport agent said it is handy for folks cruising to Alaska or Mexico or for folks that drive into Canada or Mexico, other than that , it won't get you on a plane to Mexico or Canada either, but, hey, look it up. The State Department has the accurate info on their Web site.
This has been made clear during arrival instructions delivered by cabin crew on some of the returning flights I have been on. But only some, not all. The U.S. seems to not use separate halls for passengers making international connections, the way many other countries do. I suspect that our geographic isolation explains only part of that difference. I have had the experience of clearing U.S. Customs and Immigration outside the U.S., then arriving in the U.S. just like any ordinary domestic flight. The majority of places this has been implemented are in Canada, greatly increasing the number of allowable cross-border flight routes.
As a US citizen entering other countries (with documentation in hand) I have never been 'identified as needing additional scrutiny'. Boring me. As a US citizen entering US, I have never been 'identified' either. Once I returned from Costa Rica with box of >100 syringes (gas samples) I described them it to Customs Entry person who was not interested in my nerdly description and waved me though. At that moment I realized that I could bring Cuban cigars or cocaine or whatever into US - by putting illegal stuff under my nerd stuff and talking. However, international travelers' luggage is sniffed by competent dogs. If one has illegal/nefarious intentions, there are probably better ways to sneak stuff in.
My fun airport moment of the day- I flew home from a gig in Palm Beach, FL today. As mentioned above, I do not have pre-check or any of the other fancy expedited security programs. So it was really fun when I saw no queue at all leading to four very bored TSA screeners, while 11 people were in line for the one officer in the expedited lane. I was through in 45 seconds. Chicken soup for my middle-class soul.
LoL; you would've easily gotten away with Cuban cigars - but not the drugs...... Sometimes I need to bring my refactor meter with me; light bulb, battery (2 D-cells), prisms, lens, and mirrors. I just throw it out with my laptop through TSA. Tried to explain it to TSA and they ask, ' so it's a camera' and I just say yes. It looks like a bomb going through the scanner. The first few times TSA ripped my bag apart and I'm surprised that I didn't get strip searched. It's a lot less hassles when I lay it out with my laptop. Once in a while they'll scrub it down for the sniffer.
