There are only 4 passport colors in the world, and depending on where you’re from, your passport can reveal a lot about your country.
As a traveler, you don’t really have a say in what your passport looks like. You can only put in a very serious photo of yourself, you can’t choose which page the customs officer stamps, and you can’t choose the color of your passport cover.
By the way, only red, blue, green and black passports are available. You might think that this would categorize countries according to their geography (the Americas, Europe, Asia, Africa), but that’s not the case. That said, these colors are not entirely insignificant.
Most passports in the world are in the primary colors of blue and red, although there is an enormous degree of variation in the hues. And while geography, politics and even religion come into play when a country chooses its passport cover, there are no specific guidelines or rules that dictate the color of these national documents.
Just think, next time you’re bored in an airport queue, take a look at the passports of the travelers around you, to learn a little more about them!
Red passport
Red is the most widespread color. It is used by members of the European Union (except Croatia), and countries interested in joining the EU (Turkey, Macedonia or Albania). Also, countries that choose red for their passports are often former or current communist political regimes, such as Slovenia, Serbia, Russia, China, Romania, Poland or Georgia. Finally, in South America, the countries of the Andean Community of Nations use passports in this color: Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru.
Blue Passport
Blue is the second most common passport color in the world, symbolizing the so-called « New World », which includes 15 Caribbean countries. Blue also applies to many South American countries, as it embodies their membership of Mercosur, an economic community that brings together 6 nations (Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, Uruguay, Venezuela and Bolivia). However, note the exception of Venezuela, which has a red passport. Finally, since 1976, the United States has had a blue passport.
Green passport
The green passport is often associated with most Muslim countries, including Morocco, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan. Green is considered the favorite color of the Prophet Mohammed, and also symbolizes nature and life. Green has also been adopted by several West African countries, including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Nigeria, Niger and Senegal. For these countries, green represents their membership of the Economic Community of West African States(ECOWAS).
Black passport
Is there such a thing as a black passport? This color is rare, but some African nations such as Bostwana, Gabon, Angola, Chad, Zambia, Burundi, Malawi, Congo and others have black passports. Another country that boasts a black passport is New Zealand. Not surprising in the land of the All Blacks.
To conclude, let’s just add that while for some a passport may be a barrier, for others it’s a right of passage.