Have you ever been to the airport and noticed that not everyone has the same coloured passport as you?

Well, the colour of a passport is more than just a design choice; it often symbolizes a country's cultural identity, political affiliations, and even geographical and economic ties.

According to IOTA-Group, the different colours, ranging from deep red and blue to green and black, can represent membership in regional organizations, historical influences, or religious beliefs.

For example, countries in the European Union often use burgundy passports, while Caribbean states frequently use blue to symbolize their membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). However, this essential document comes in a variety of shades, not to mention the "special ones" for diplomats.

So, understanding the colour of your passport might reveal fascinating details about your country's place in the world and its interactions with other countries. Check them out below in no particular order:

The Blue Passport

Blue passports are said to symbolize freedom and stability. They are high-mobility passports, meaning they do not require visas for entry into numerous countries.

About 84 countries use this type of travel document, making it the second most common in the world. Countries in the Americas, such as the United States, Canada, Venezuela, and Brazil, often use this passport colour.

The Green Passport

Green passports are associated with decreased mobility. Holders often encounter greater visa issues and restrictions. Approximately 40 countries use this passport, with most Muslim and West African countries opting for this colour. In the Muslim religion, green is also a symbol of eternity, and it is said to be the favourite colour of the Prophet Muhammad. Countries like Saudi Arabia, Pakistan, and Morocco, as well as West African nations like Ghana and Nigeria, are holders of this passport.

Meanwhile, Mexico is the only country in Latin America that uses a green passport.

In the United States, the green passport is used for refugees.

The Black Passport

According to passportindex.org, seven countries have this rare type of passport. They include Angola, Congo, New Zealand (due to the country's colour), Palestinian Territories, Tajikistan, and Trinidad and Tobago.

Black passports are associated with power and sophistication but are also linked to limited global mobility. Holders are likely to face mobility restrictions.

The Red Passport

Red often symbolizes power and authority. Holders of red passports enjoy greater worldwide mobility and face fewer visa restrictions when traveling. This type of passport is the most popular, with about 68 countries opting for the colour. Except for Croatia, European Union countries chose a bordeaux red to introduce a common passport model for EU countries.

Historically, communist regimes like China or Russia have also chosen this colourful option. In some countries like India, red passports are allocated to individuals holding diplomatic or official positions representing their governments.

Countries like Albania, Denmark, Bolivia, Finland, France, and Monaco use red passports.

What the colour of your passport means. pic.twitter.com/qxt7O0MEbh

— @𝗼𝗻𝗲𝗷𝗼𝗯𝗹𝗲𝘀𝘀𝗯𝗼𝘆 (@OneJoblessBoy) June 6, 2024