How a Country Chooses the Color of a Passport (2024)

FAQs

How do countries choose passport color? ›

Each country is free to decide its own passport color, but the colors they choose often have economic, cultural, political, or even religious significance.

As we've previously discussed, geopolitics and religion certainly come into play when a country determines the color of their passport. Muslim countries, for example, largely prefer green passports, because the shade is so significant to the religion. Meanwhile, Caribbean states typically opt for blue passport covers.

There are only a few companies in the world who produce passports and it's a highly controlled process. The practicalities of using the same color are obvious when the card stock must meet specific requirements and because it is usually provided by a third party, it's more likely to only be available in a few colors.

Black. The rarest passports are those with black covers. These can be found among the citizens of some African countries — Botswana, Zambia, Burundi, Gabon, Angola, Chad, Congo, Malawi and others. Citizens of New Zealand also have black passport covers, because black is the country's national color.

Black passport. Black is the rarest colour in passports. African countries such as Botswana, Zambia, Burundi, Gabon, Angola, Chad, Congo and Malawi use this color on their passport covers – New Zealand also has black – because black is their national colour.

Some of the biggest countries that use blue passports include Venezuela, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Argentina, and numerous Asian countries. In addition, United States territories also use blue passports.

Emergency passport (pink cover) (Dutch: Noodpaspoort) issued either by the Royal Marechaussee or a Dutch representative abroad to Dutch citizens who are unable to obtain a proper passport in time for travel, strict rules apply.

The blue passport book, alternately referred to as the Regular or Tourist passport, is the most commonly issued U.S. passport. Diplomatic - Black diplomatic passports are issued to Foreign Service Officers and other persons with diplomatic or comparable status.

What is the weakest passport? ›

Emergency (violet cover) Issuable to citizens overseas, in urgent circ*mstances, e.g. imminent death and funeral of a family member, lost or stolen passport while abroad, or similar situation. Period of validity: generally one year from the date of issue. An emergency passport may be exchanged for a full-term passport.

Although there are no strict international guidelines for passport colors, the shades are by no means random. Countries typically choose colors that pay tribute to their culture, politics, or faith, Claire Burrows of De La Rue, a British passport-making company, told the Economist.

What does a golden passport do? A golden passport is a passport you can obtain by investing in a country. Many countries provide a golden passport through Golden Visa and citizenship by investment programs. These countries are predominantly Caribbean and EU countries.

Starting in 1775, the first US passports were simple paper certificates, and it wasn't until 1926 that red booklets were issued. In 1941, the color was changed to a mottled moss green. In the Bicentennial year, 1976, navy blue was chosen as part of the national anniversary celebration and this is the current color.

Ordinary passports are issued in two different lengths of validity: 5 and 10 years. Japanese citizens up to 16 years of age can only be issued a 5 years passport, while those who are 17 years of age or older can choose either a 5 years (blue) or 10 years (red) passport for different registration fees.

The blue passport book, alternately referred to as the Regular or Tourist passport, is the most commonly issued U.S. passport. Diplomatic - Black diplomatic passports are issued to Foreign Service Officers and other persons with diplomatic or comparable status.

EU countries can make their passports whatever colour they like. Burgundy is only a recommendation, There are no restrictions. Croatia has a dark blue passport. iceland is not a member of the EU.

Since the United Kingdom has now officially left the European Union, it no longer has to comply with EU rules and regulations when it comes to things like passport colours. Passports from countries in the European Union have to be burgundy and also feature the symbol of the EU.