What Passport Colors Really Mean Around the World?

Do you know that passport color differs in each country? Are you aware of the reason behind these color preferences? Do passport colors have any significance? Although they may not have big stories, each color symbolizes something related to the country. 

Who Decides the Passport Color?

The International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) suggests the format for creating a passport, including sizes, colors, and fonts. The recommendations correspond to handling the passport, such as folding and transportation, as well as ensuring the accuracy of the information yet to be provided in the passport. Although there are no laws or restrictions on passport designs, most countries’ formats look similar. Now, take a look at the different colors of a passport and their meanings.

Four Main Passport Colors

The four major passport colors used worldwide are red, green, blue, and black. Let’s take a closer look at each of them. 

Red Color Passport – The Color of Many European Countries

You might have heard that red is associated with love. Many believe that it represents war, aggression, etc. But do you know what it represents in terms of passport colors?

Red is the preferred passport color for most European countries. In addition to the existing EU members, newly joined countries have also adopted red passports. The list of red passport countries includes Turkey, Albania, Macedonia, Serbia, and Georgia. The European countries fixed the red color, based on their religious and historical reasons, saying it symbolizes factors and importance of Christianity. The Nordic countries chose red to illustrate the historical significance of Viking tribes.

Green – Favorite Color of Islamic Countries

Many Islamic countries have chosen green to represent their passport color. Since green is a favorite of Prophet Muhammad, Muslim countries have adopted the same color for their flags.

Green also symbolizes nature, peace, and prosperity. Alongside Muslim countries, such as Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, many African nations also stick to green passports. Nigeria, Burkina Faso, Ghana, and Senegal are some countries with green passports. Interestingly, the United States once issued green passports in honor of Benjamin Franklin for one year (1993 – 1994), mostly because the color was his favorite!

Blue – The ‘New World’ Color

It’s the second most preferred color for a passport as it signifies the ‘New World.’ Blue passports are mostly used in South and North America, and some Asian countries. Apart from other factors, blue also represents political purposes and goals. Territories of the United States, such as Argentina, Uruguay, Venezuela, Paraguay, Brazil, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and Guam use the blue color for their passports. The Mercosur Organization of South America has also selected blue. Some Asian countries like India, Iraq, Syria, Yemen, and Israel opt for blue on their passports. Many countries in Asia and Africa that are not exactly a part of the ‘New World,’ have also adopted blue as their passport color.

Black – The ‘Formal’ Color

Black passports are rare as they are used only by certain African and Asian countries. Compared to other colors, black is used for different reasons. Many claim that black looks more formal and can withstand damage. Black is the official color of New Zealand, Botswana, Angola, Gabon, Congo, and Zambia, and it is the main factor for these countries to use black passports. The diplomatic passports of some countries like the US are black. 

The Henley Passport Index

Have you heard of it before? If not, we are here to enlighten you! The Henley Passport Index is a ranking of the passports of various countries. It is an authoritative ranking index that is updated every month. Also, it is based on accurate data from the IATA – International Air Transport Association. 

Know Your Passport Color Meaning

Here’s a summary of the passport colors we have seen, and a couple more colors like brown and purple. 

Passport Color	Meaning
Black	Dark shades show less dirt and tend to look more official
Red	Often chosen by countries with a current or previous communist system
Green	Very common in the Muslim religion, it represents a symbol of eternity
Blue	Symbolizes the ‘New World’ and also represents the color of the American flag
Brown (US)	These are assigned to U.S. government employees and active members of the US military who travel abroad for duty
Purple (US)	These are issued to US citizens during emergencies with a validity of one year from the issue date

We have now discussed the significance of various passport colors. We hope you have a better knowledge of these colors after reading this blog. To refresh your memory on the facts we have discussed, answer the Quiz on this page!