What do you need to fly without a passport?

Identification
  1. Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  2. U.S. passport.
  3. U.S. passport card.
  4. DHS trusted traveler cards (Global Entry, NEXUS, SENTRI, FAST)
  5. U.S. Department of Defense ID, including IDs issued to dependents.
  6. Permanent resident card.




In 2026, you can fly without a passport only for domestic travel within your own country or between specific nations with bilateral agreements. In the United States, you can fly domestically using a REAL ID-compliant driver's license, a NEXUS card, or a U.S. military ID. In the UK and Ireland, British and Irish citizens can travel between the two countries (the Common Travel Area) using any valid photo ID, such as a driving license, though they are now expected to present a British passport or "Certificate of Entitlement" starting in February 2026 if they are dual citizens. For Indian citizens in 2026, Nepal and Bhutan are the only two international destinations that allow entry without a passport, provided you carry an Aadhaar Card or Voter ID. For all other international flights, a valid passport remains a non-negotiable global requirement. Even for "visa-free" destinations, the passport is the only document that legally confirms your nationality and identity at an international border.

People Also Ask

In place of a passport, you can use WHTI-compliant documents like passport cards, trusted traveler's cards, and NEXUS cards. While these allow you to travel to these regions by sea and road, they are not acceptable for international flights.

MORE DETAILS

A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel.

MORE DETAILS

In the US and flying internationally: A new passport is required. Reschedule your trip to a new date or see if you qualify for life-or-death emergency passport service. Outside of the US and scheduled to fly back home: Contact the nearest US consulate or embassy to have an emergency passport issued.

MORE DETAILS

Standard driver license, permit or non-driver ID card
a Federal REAL ID driver license, permit or non-driver ID card. Remember, you will need a Passport to fly to other countries.

MORE DETAILS

Identification
  • Driver's licenses or other state photo identity cards issued by Department of Motor Vehicles (or equivalent) ...
  • 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.


MORE DETAILS

A passport is required for all international travel. If you're traveling anywhere overseas, you need a passport to board an international flight and to enter the country. Passport cards will not be accepted as form of I.D. for international air travel.

MORE DETAILS

Add your state-issued eligible driver's license or identification card to your phone's digital wallet. Present your ID at select TSA PreCheck® checkpoints by tapping your phone or linked device. Your photo will be take by the TSA reader at security to proceed to screening.

MORE DETAILS

If you only have an expired passport, you can still bring it along for domestic travel within the United States, but you must convince TSA officers that you are who you say you are. However, if you're traveling internationally, you must have a valid passport.

MORE DETAILS

Beginning May 3, 2023, your driver's license will need to be REAL ID-compliant if you want to use it to fly within the U.S. It's part of a law passed by Congress.

MORE DETAILS

One of the most important security measures at an airport is confirming the identity of travelers. This is done by checking a photo ID, such as a driver's license. If you are traveling internationally, you need to present your passport.

MORE DETAILS

because you could not get off the plane if you didn't have one at your destination. TSA scans passports (or drivers licenses if a domestic flight) and so your identify is verified that way before you are allowed out of security. Airlines rely on TSA to verify IDs.

MORE DETAILS

Travel within Canada one piece of valid Canadian government-issued identification that includes a photograph and the passenger's full name and date of birth; or. two pieces of valid Canadian-government-issued identification showing the passenger's name and date of birth, without photographs.

MORE DETAILS