A passport is a document issued by a sovereign state to its citizens for entering and leaving the country, traveling or residing abroad. The holder enjoys diplomatic protection from the country that issued the passport. Here are some common passport-related facts for several countries:
Chinese Passport
Types: Chinese passports are divided into diplomatic passports, official passports and ordinary passports. Ordinary passports are further classified into official ordinary passports and private ordinary passports.
Appearance: The appearance and style of passports vary by country. Chinese passports are usually designed as small booklets, with the national emblem, country name and the word "Passport" printed on the cover.
Validity: Generally, adult passports are valid for 10 years and those for minors for 5 years. Most countries require that the passport be valid for at least 6 months. If it is not, it needs to be renewed in advance.
Application: For the first time, one usually needs to go to the Exit-Entry Administration Department to submit an application, fill out the passport application form, submit a photo and identity documents, and complete on-site fingerprint collection and other procedures. Usually, the passport can be collected within 1 to 2 weeks. Some cities also offer online appointment and electronic passport application services.
US Passport
Types: US passports are divided into regular passports and passport cards. A regular passport is a small booklet with a hard cover and several pages for recording visas and travel information. A passport card is a magnetic card the size of a credit card, valid for ten years.
Appearance: The cover color of US passports has changed several times. In 1976, it was changed to dark blue due to the colors of the national flag.
Usage: Generally, a regular passport is required for international travel. A passport card is mainly used for land or sea entry into Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, Bermuda, etc. and can be used to enter the US without hindrance when leaving these countries and regions. Although a passport card cannot be used for air travel abroad, it is more cost-effective and time-saving for those who frequently travel to the aforementioned countries and regions by land or sea.
Application: The general process for applying for a US passport takes 4 to 6 weeks. Expedited processing takes 2 to 3 weeks. Expedited processing requires an additional fee.
British Passport
History: In the early days (1414 - 1921), British passports were safety certificates issued by local medieval British monarchs to travelers of any nationality. In 1914, the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act was enacted, and the first "modern" passports were issued from 1915. From 1988, to comply with EU standards, British passports were changed to burgundy with "EUROPEAN COMMUNITY" on the cover. After March 2020, new blue-covered C series British passports began to be issued.
Types: British passports include six different nationality types, among which the British citizen passport is issued to holders of British nationality from the British Isles and Northern Ireland.
Validity: Generally 10 years.
Function: When overseas, a British passport helps to obtain consular assistance from British embassies around the world.
Passports of Other Countries
Color: Although there are no international regulations on passport colors, 200 countries and regions around the world have unanimously chosen from red, blue, green and black for their passport colors, with only differences in shade. For example, EU member states mostly use red passports, Caribbean countries generally choose blue passports, African countries mostly use green passports, and black passports are less common, including the Republic of Botswana, Zambia, New Zealand, etc.
Validity: The validity of passports varies by country. Please refer to the regulations of each country for specific details.
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