The passport is by far one of the most precious items for those who travel abroad as not only does it represent our nationality, but it can also open the doors to explore the world or even become a barrier to movement for the citizens of the world. However, regardless of its colour and the stamps that each passport has, it has a story. Here are some fascinating facts that you may not know about this document and that will make you appreciate it in a different way.
1. The first passport was named in the Bible
The first reference to a travel document is found in the Bible, specifically in the Book of Nehemiah. There, it is mentioned that a Persian official received a letter from King Artaxerxes I of Persia requesting “the governors beyond the river” to grant him safe passage on his travels through Judea.
Except for Swiss, Finnish and Austrian passports, a similar message currently appears on most passports, where it is requested that the passport holder be allowed to pass freely and that assistance be provided when needed.
2. The first passport was issued in England
As a way to prove the identity of his subjects when traveling abroad, King Henry V introduced the passport as a form of identification in the 15th century. This practice is still in place, and UK passports continue to be issued in the name of Her Majesty, The Queen.
3. Once the passport did not require a photograph
The first passports did not have photographs and these would only become a mandatory item after the start of the First World War, specifically in British passports, under the British Nationality and Alien Status Act of 1914, after a German spy named Carl Hans Lody entered Britain with a fake American passport.
4. The Queen of the United Kingdom does not have a passport
As the British passport is issued by Her Majesty the Queen who grants the permission for all UK passports, she does not need to carry one to travel abroad, although the other members of the Royal Family do.
5. Presidents get a special passport
Not only presidents, but also their immediate family members and other selected government officials, are among the lucky ones to receive special passports better called diplomatic passports. These come with a host of benefits, including visa-free entry to many countries, travel enhancements, and VIP treatment.
The interesting thing about these passports is that, in some countries such as the United States, presidents are granted diplomatic passports that are valid for life, even after they have resigned or left their position.
6. Smiles were also allowed once
Smiles, along with long fringes and head covers, weren’t banned until 2004. This as part of a new regulation that was implemented to make facial recognition technology easier.
7. Most passports are printed in at least two or three languages
This means that passports must be in the national language and at least one additional language. An interesting fact that is worth noting here is that most passports use English as an additional language.
8. Passports of Arab countries are opened differently
Passports of Arab countries, such as the United Arab Emirates, are opened from the left side. This is because they start on the last page and are read from right to left.
9. The Australian passport is the most expensive in the world
In 2020 the fee to obtain this travel document valid for ten years was $ 298, which represents the highest amount to pay for a passport, being, for example, almost three times higher than the rate for a US passport.
10. The Vatican does not have passport control
Though The Vatican is the smallest country in the world, it does not have passport control, therefore, those who visit the country will not be able to officially document their visit with a passport stamp. This is because there are no immigration controls or border posts around the Vatican, so visitors who can enter the city of Rome in Italy can enter the Vatican. However, the Vatican issues passports and of course the Pope, among his many honours, carries “Passport No. 1”.
11. The Emirati passport is the most powerful in the world
According to the PassportIndex.org portal, in 2020 the citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have the most powerful passport in the world. This taking into account the number of countries they can visit without applying for a visa since the holders of an Emirati passport are allowed to travel without a visa to 179 out of 218 possible, which is the product of negotiations as now Emirati citizens can enjoy a visa waiver for the 26 European Schengen countries.
While Syrians have the least powerful passport since, along with Pakistan, Iraq and Afghanistan, they only have visa-free access to fewer than 30 countries.
12. Most of the world’s passports have a red cover
Although we will find different colors such as blue, green or even black and different shades of red, the most common colour among passports is red. As an interesting fact, we can mention that the United Kingdom passport is nicknamed “red book”, while the American passport is often called “blue book”.
13. What’s behind its colour
Although there are no international guidelines ruling passport colors, the shades are not based on random criteria since countries often choose colors that pay tribute to their culture, politics or faith. For example, Islamic countries often use green passport covers because this colour is important in their religion.
Likewise, the member countries of the Economic Community of West African States also cover their passports with various shades of green, while the member countries of the European Union use burgundy passports. For their part, citizens of the United States and several countries in the Caribbean and South America, including Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay, also carry blue passports.
14. Your passport is not necessarily valid until the expiration date
Although passports have a specific expiration date, this does not always mean that you can travel with it until that date. In fact, many countries require it to be valid for a specific time after your arrival, which is a way to make sure it doesn’t expire while you’re in the country, which would leave you stranded there.
In this sense, a general rule that is safer is at least six months, which is the period of time required by countries like China, Indonesia, Russia, and Saudi Arabia, among many others.
15. The Nicaraguan passport is the least falsifiable
The Nicaraguan passport is considered one of the least falsifiable documents in the world. This is thanks to a total of 89 independent security features, including “two-dimensional barcodes”, holograms and watermarks.
ALFA