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A passport is a personal identification document for travel issued by national governments to their citizens.

Passports are usually complemented by visas, which are issued by the country the traveller intends to visit (through an embassy or consulate) and usually pasted or stamped onto one of the passport pages at border crossing. Electronic travel authorities are increasingly being used instead. Neither a valid passport nor visa, however, guarantee entry into another country.

Within your home country a passport can also be used as identification eg, when opening a bank account.

While small children earlier were often allowed to travel on their parents' passport, given an appropriate note in the passport, they are now in many countries required to each have their own passport.


Typical passport displaying the issuing nation, "passport", and coat of arms.

The first convention on passports was when, in 1920, the League of Nations decided that all passports contain information in French, being the diplomatic language of that era. Today passports employ the official languages of the issuing nation, with the word "PASSPORT", "PASSEPORT" or "PASAPORTE" and basic identifying information also appearing in at least one of English, French or Spanish.

The cover page includes the word "passport" and the name of the issuing country in the native language(s) of the issuing country (and possibly a second language, such as English); a coat of arms or national symbol of some sort; and a special, universal symbol if it is biometric. The name of a trading bloc such as "European Union" (perhaps in another language), MERCOSUR or CARICOM may appear above or below the country name where the group of countries issues passports designed to a common standard. The inside cover and first page usually contain introductory text, such as a disclaimer that the passport is the property of the issuing government and a written request for safe passage and assistance to the bearer in the event of an emergency.

The information page of the passport records basic information about the passport: its bearer's surname, given names, photo and date and place of birth, validity period, issuing authority, place of issue and passport number, and the dates the passport was issued and will expire. Most passports issued in recent years have a machine-readable strip at the bottom of the page to expedite encoding at the relevant stations. This information follows a standard format, specified by ICAO.

Most of the remaining pages will be blank. This provides space for amendments (where the bearer country's issuing may place travel restrictions, change conditions for travel abroad, or amend the period of validity), visas from foreign embassies or consulates, and stamps from passport control officers on entry and exit from various countries visited.

A few pages may serve to provide helpful legal and practical information. The US passport contains six pages of websites and contacts, addressing travel restrictions and concerns (treasury restrictions on imports, paying taxes while in a foreign country, registering your stay in a foreign country), common sense subjects (don't be a target, be mindful of security threats, ways to lose citizenship), instruction on obtaining consular assistance in an emergency and on reporting (and replacing) lost, stolen or damaged passports.

Extra pages[edit]

Caution NOTE: As of 23 November 2015, the U.S. passport agency will not add extra blank pages. You must apply for a new passport. Passports that already have additional pages can still be used until expiration.
Information page of a Hungarian passport

Some destinations require two blank pages in your passport before you enter the country. If you are running low on blank pages, some countries may issue a new passport "cross-linked" (or even physically bound) to the old one. The old one must have a blank page for the authority to endorse a cross-link. This is useful not only when a passport is running low on blank pages, but also in cases where the visa outlasts the passport that contains it.

Some countries used to offer the addition of extra pages to an existing passport (for free or a fee) at a passport office, embassy, or consulate. Due to ICAO's "write-once" policy on biometric passports, this option is not available for those who have biometric passports. The US and UK no longer add extra pages to existing passports, but may offer the option of a 48 or 52-page booklet (instead of the standard 28 pages) when the passport is originally issued.



  • If you need to submit your passport to two or more embassies at the same time for visas.
  • A representative of a national government (head of state, minister of government, ambassador or high commissioner) may be issued a diplomatic or official passport with a cover in a different color from the country's standard individual passport. If not travelling on official government business, the standard passport is used.
  • Some countries (such as Libya and Iran, amongst others) will not allow entry to people whose passports show evidence of travel to Israel, so a new passport will be necessary for travel to those countries. See the Israel and visa trouble articles for more information.

Types of passports issued[edit]

Regular (or tourist) passport[edit]

This is the most common type of passport issued to citizens for general international travel for both tourism and business.

Diplomatic passport[edit]


Official Passport[edit]

This type of passport is generally issued to government employees, deployed soldiers and elected officials for work-related travel. These are often treated like diplomatic passports, although the covers will differ in colour from standard or diplomatic passports.

Internal passport[edit]


Passport Cards and EDLs[edit]

The Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, a US law which since 2009 has required a valid passport or other approved secure document for the most trivial "international" trips overland between the US and adjacent points (such as Canada, Mexico, Bermuda and the Caribbean), has been accompanied by a flood of specialised identity cards and trusted traveller programmes. These cards, intended as passport alternatives for travel to adjacent countries, are valid for land or sea crossing but not air travel.

The passport card has the same status as the passport book, but in card form for convenience; it's no faster to obtain than a US passport but is less expensive.

Along the Canada-USA border, a few states (Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Washington) and provinces (British Columbia, Manitoba and Ontario) issue an enhanced driver's license (EDL). US authorities accept the card as functionally the same as a passport card, routinely accepted for re-entry into the United States by land or sea. Canadian authorities regard an EDL as proof of identity, but not proof of nationality, so they should be used along with a birth certificate or another proof of citizenship.

A Border Crossing Card issued by the US government to a few trusted travellers in Mexico substitutes for both a passport card and a tourist (B2) visa.

Identity cards[edit]

Most European countries have some form of government issued ID that is often mandatory to possess for every citizen above a certain age (e.g. 16) and is accepted in lieu of a passport when crossing some international borders. Within the Schengen area, this type of ID is all you need to legally cross borders, even though some airlines might think otherwise. Citizens of EEA countries can use this ID card to enter countries on the Balkan Peninsula, despite them not being part of the EU.

Most countries in South America are members of the Mercosur organization. Citizens of such countries can travel to other Mercosur countries with just their national ID card.

The Central American countries El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua and Guatemala also offer their citizens to move freely between those countries with nothing but a national government issued ID card. The agreement establishing this zone of free movement further stipulates that citizens of third countries don't get charged or their passport stamped upon crossing a border between for example Honduras and El Salvador, but the actual enforcement of this rule may very well depend on the mood of border officials.

Temporary or emergency passports[edit]

If your passport is lost or stolen, it may take considerable time to issue a replacement; for example Canadian missions typically require at least 20 working days after you give them the application with all required documentation. This can be seriously inconvenient if you are abroad, especially if you also have to go to local authorities as well to replace the visa which was in the lost passport. Many missions can therefore also issue an emergency passport or temporary passport; for some countries only one is available and for others they are two different documents. This is much faster; e.g. for Canada, three working days.

Some restrictions apply to these passports. An emergency passport is usually good for only one journey and a temporary one only for a few months. Also, some countries may have different visa requirements for them; for example the Philippines provides a visa-on-arrival for holders of many passports, but anyone with an emergency or temporary passport from any country must obtain a visa in advance. Airlines will refuse to fly you without it.

Certificate of identity[edit]

A refugee or stateless person cannot obtain a passport. Under the 1951 Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees, these persons may obtain a passport-like booklet bearing the words "Travel Document" from the country in which they've taken refuge. (Historically, the UN High Commission on Refugees issued documents which served a similar purpose to the individual-nation "re-entry permit" or "Certificate of Identity".) As none of these confer citizenship, most countries will not allow visa-free or visa-on-arrival travel on a non-citizen travel document.

The United Nations and Interpol issue passport-like documents to a limited number of their own officials. The willingness of individual countries to accept these as stand-alone travel documents (instead of requiring they be used with a national passport) varies.

Technology and security[edit]



Increasingly in the 1990s, machine-readable passports have been introduced where the personal data page is automated. That information is also encoded into two strips at the bottom of the page. This helps speed-up lines at most passport control stations as the officers don't need to type in most of the entries in their respective fields manually in the computers.


However, these chips can be read by others as well; the equipment typically has a range of about a meter and it is moderately priced, widely available and easily concealed. This creates several security problems:

  • tracking by intrusive governments
  • tracking by merchants or con artists who target certain nationals
  • identity theft where the thief starts with all the information on your passport

If concerned, you might:

  • Do Internet research to understand the issues.
  • Choose to use a passport wallet that confines the RFID signals until you deliberately remove your passport for inspection by officials. Such wallets are available at moderate cost from better travel accessory merchants. Many of the "geek" clothing sites on the web also have them.

Where/How to apply[edit]

Your home country's passport issuing authority will most often be part of the ministry of foreign affairs (the State Department for the US) or the ministry controlling border guards or immigration (HM Passport Office is part of the UK Home Office). Applicants may go to their nearest representative or satellite office.

  • In some countries, applications can be initiated on-line. In some cases, you will be required to print, sign and submit the application form you filled in online, while in other instances the form will be directly submitted to the issuing authority for processing.
  • Regardless of the issuing authority, in many countries passports are physically issued by major police stations or local city council offices.
  • In some countries, Post Offices have application forms and instructions.
  • Passport offices operate in the largest cities; it may be possible to apply in person or by mail.
  • If there's nothing available locally in your region, the office of your elected representative to national government sometimes may offer assistance.
  • If you are abroad, you can go to your home country's embassy or consulate to apply. This sometimes involves longer issuing times and higher fees.

To obtain your first passport, you will have to provide documentation with your application proving your identity and claim to citizenship. There will likely be a fee; the issuing government may also require the signature of one or more guarantors (specific national requirements vary, but this person must be a fellow citizen who knew you for some minimum length of time - often a couple of years - and may be required to hold a passport, a professional licence or some other easily-verified credential).

A recent, clear, head-and-shoulders colour photo in some specific size and format is needed. Often they want two copies, one to be mounted and embossed in the finished document by the passport issuing centre, and one for their files. There may be additional requirements such as having a neutral expression, looking at the camera (try this with a baby!), having the photographer indicate his or her name and the place and date the photo was taken, or having a guarantor sign the photo to indicate that it shows the applicant. Some countries, on the other hand, do not allow you to bring your own photos: to ensure authenticity and best quality, photos will be taken on the spot by the employee processing your application.

Passport photos can be taken at some passport application centers (for example, the United States Postal Service processes passport applications and offers passport photos). Passport photos can also be taken at photo studios, pharmacies, and some photo booths (if they meet the technical requirements). Automobile associations often offer photos to their members at a slight discount. There are also smartphone apps that let users take passport photos at home.

Once you have a passport, in many nations it can effectively be used to substantiate your identity as you apply for a new one. Each application must be accompanied by one or more photos, more or less like for your first passport. Lastly, as noted by Erma Bombeck in 1991, "when you look like your passport photo it's time to go home".

What if I lose it while travelling?[edit]

See also: Theft#Passport and identity theft

Some people have experienced the nightmare of losing their passport. If this happens, take a deep breath and contact your embassy or consulate immediately to begin the replacement process. It can take anywhere from a few days to several weeks to get a new passport in a foreign country, depending on your citizenship and your location.

Some countries offer "emergency passports" or "emergency travel documents" if you can convince them that you can't wait out the normal turnaround time. See above. These documents usually have a very short term validity, typically only being good for one journey to your home country, although some may be valid longer. They take much less time to obtain than a full-blown replacement passport, often just hours. The process can be expedited by having a copy of the original, as discussed below. A police report is useful and may even be required by your embassy/consulate, even if there was no crime involved. Don't forget to bring a couple of passport photos.

Make Copies[edit]

Seasoned travellers often carry multiple machine or photocopies of their passport (and other important documents, e.g., visas) when abroad. You should keep copies in locations separate from the originals, e.g., folded together in your wallet, in your luggage, or even scanned into a computer.

  • This is especially useful when travelling in areas where risk of loss or theft is high. Lacking an original, a copy could save you from problems with local authorities by quickly showing them something that indicates you are authorized to be there...before they arrest you.
  • Copies also may make a replacement passport easier to obtain through your embassy or consulate so you can return home. You should also make/get a copy of any entry visa required to enter a country.



Copies are best done in color, and at least of the primary page(s) of each original. Two adjacent pages of two passports can often fit on a single sheet of copy paper.

Giving your passport to others[edit]

In some countries, such as China, it may be necessary for your long term residence or immigration status to be registered with the local police. It is advisable to give your passport to a trusted agent if you will not do this in person.

Some countries require hotels to keep photocopies of your passport. If you don't trust hotel staff with your passport, e.g. if staff have to leave the hotel premises to make a copy, you can provide your own. In any case, you should never surrender your passport as a security or guarantee under any circumstances, except as required by law.

Expiry dates[edit]

In practical terms, the last date when you can use a passport is well before the expiration date. As you start international travel, most transport companies (e.g., airlines, cruise lines) will demand that your passport have sufficient time before it expires, which is typically six months. They are helping to ensure that you will meet immigration requirements of the countries you'll visit: these often include having 3 or 6 months validity left; depending on the country you are entering, you may be required to have it upon your arrival (i.e.: your passport should expire no sooner than three or six months after you enter the country) or on your expected departing date. In the latter case, your passport should expire no sooner than three or six months after you plan to leave the country (to this respect, you are usually also required to submit proof of your outbound trip, such as an international airline ticket); this is the case, for example, when requesting a Chinese visa. You may have to stay longer than planned, e.g., due to serious injury or illness. Overstaying your visa or holding an expired passport could be serious.

If your passport does not have sufficient time before expiring then you may be denied boarding or entry into a foreign country. If remaining validity is a requisite for obtaining an entry visa, you are likely to be denied such visa.

Passports from many countries (Australia, most EU nations, US) remain valid for 10 years. Others allow shorter validity (such as Sweden - 5 years - and Belgium - 7 years). For some countries, such as Canada, it depends on the passport type; older passports were only good for five years but the new RFID ones are good for ten. In many countries the period of validity depends on age; even if adults get ten-year passports, children may get only five.

All passports will eventually expire, and depending on your country it can take as little as one day to four months or longer to issue a new passport. Some countries offer a faster delivery of the new passport for a higher fee than the normal one, so order your passport well ahead of your intended trip.

Other Restrictions[edit]

Citizens of many countries may not have legal or constitutional rights to be issued a passport by their country of citizenship. The passport can thus be denied. In other countries they may be required to surrender their passport to local authorities at certain times, such as when they are subject to criminal investigation, or get a passport only for limited duration when the required age for military conscription is nearing.

In some cases, countries with poor or no diplomatic relations with another country may bar the bearers of the other country's passport (or merely having stamps of that other country) from seeking entry.


See also: Visa trouble

Israeli passport holders and sometimes those with just an Israeli entry/exit stamp in their passport will face restrictions and possibly denied entry to many Arab or Muslim states. Similarly, entry into Israel with a passport from an Arab or Muslim state (or stamps from them) can cause long delays and possibly denied entry. Visitors to Israel can ask the immigration officials not to stamp their passport, but place a stamp on a separate piece of paper. This procedure is at the discretion of the immigration officer. Beware, though, that if you cross overland from Egypt or Jordan to Israel, the exit stamps from those countries could also result in your being barred from some Arab or Muslim countries.


see also: Americans in Cuba

U.S. citizens who do not get special permission from the U.S. State Department to visit Cuba have a similar problem: For a U.S. citizen to spend money in Cuba without permission from the State Department is a punishable crime, and any visit is presumed to involve expenditures of money. Cuban authorities, too, will stamp a separate piece of paper, if so requested. However, multiple entry stamps to third countries like Mexico could be a red flag.

Multiple citizenship[edit]

  • In many countries, you are legally required to use the passport you used to enter the country to exit from it. In most, it may cause practical difficulties, such as being accused of overstaying, if you don't.
  • Equally challenging, if you are flying into a country, you should use on entry the passport you used to check in with for the flight.
  • In some countries, such as Australia, Colombia, South Africa and the US, you are legally required to use that country's passport to enter and exit the country if you are a citizen of it, even if you concurrently hold multiple citizenships.
  • Some countries do not recognize multiple citizenship, therefore being found in possession of another country's passport may cause you legal problems. Penalties could include stripping you of the citizenship of the country that you are in. You must also ensure that you enter the country with the passport of that country or risk being accused of entering illegally.
  • Multiple citizenship does not exempt you from legal responsibilities such as military conscription when inside one of the countries of your nationalities. It is very unlikely that consular assistance from one of your other countries will be provided when you need help.

Exit visa or stamp[edit]

Some countries, notably from the former Soviet Union, require the passports of their citizens to have an exit visa or stamp for it to be valid for international travel. Russia itself has abolished this requirement, however some other countries in the CIS retain it. Uzbek citizens, for example, still require the exit visa. The exit visa is normally valid for a short period compared with the passport - 2 years for Uzbekistan. Travelling with a passport that has an expired exit visa is not normally a problem outside the CIS. However, a citizen of a CIS country that requires it will have problems leaving another CIS state. For example, a citizen of Uzbekistan with an expired exit stamp who travels to Russia will only be able to leave Russia to go to Uzbekistan.

The countries of the Gulf Cooperation Council (Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates) require foreigners on certain classes of visas to obtain exit visas in order to leave the country. The most notable example is those on work visas, who are required to obtain permission from their employer in order to leave the country.

See also[edit]

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