An exploration of various passport colors and their significance.

Citizens of the US hold blue passports, along with those from several other nations.

A blue passport often symbolizes the “new world”, but it may also indicate membership in a specific economic union. Most South American, Caribbean countries, and U.S. territories possess blue passports. Interestingly, some countries in Africa and Asia that aren’t part of the “new world” also issue blue passports.

A red or burgundy passport generally signifies the country’s affiliation with an economic union. For instance, all EU nations carry burgundy passports, and the UK transitioned from burgundy to blue following its exit from the EU.

Switzerland sports a red passport that aligns with its national flag, while Turkey, aspiring for EU membership, has also adopted red.

Green holds significant meaning in the Islamic faith, which is why it’s the passport color for many Islamic nations, including Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Pakistan, and Morocco, as well as various countries in Africa.

Additionally, Mexico, Vatican City, and Taiwan opt for green passports for non-religious purposes.

This is the least common passport color. It’s considered practical, offering a striking contrast against national emblems while effectively hiding dirt.

Countries that issue black passports include Angola, Malawi, Trinidad & Tobago, and Tajikistan. New Zealand also utilizes a black passport, as black represents their national color.

Black passports are exclusively issued to Foreign Service Officers, or diplomats. For instance, the President of the United States and their immediate family are provided with black passports.

The maroon passport is granted to various government officials, as well as active-duty military personnel traveling overseas. Holders of these passports include FBI agents and other bureaucratic staff.

Gray passports are provided to third-party contractors supporting government activities. These are commonly referred to as service passports.

Standard U.S. citizens possess blue passports. To clarify, those holding other U.S. passport colors also have blue passports, as the alternative colors are not valid for leisure travel.

A no-fee variant of the blue passport is available for members of the American Red Cross, the Peace Corps, and the Department of Defense.

The evolution of passports is a continuous process, adapting alongside global changes. As we delve deeper into the digital era, future passports may also become digitized. Current physical passports already include biometric data, and it will be interesting to see how technological advancements shape passports moving forward.