Travel without a passport?
Yes.

Like, LEGALLY travel without a passport?
Yes.

You sure? Or do you mean visa?
No, not visa. PASSPORT.

Travel INTERNATIONALLY without a passport?
YES!!

There are a certain people for whom, and certain circumstances under which, travelling without a Passport is perfectly legal. And I’m not talking about just travelling to the odd friendly neighbour country.

I know a lot of you are aware of the fact that American citizens travelling to Canada (and vice-versa) do not require a passport. Nepal and India share a similar relationship. And, so do the European Union countries.

But, for the sake of this article, I’d be talking about the certain circumstances and certain people that are allowed international travel – which would otherwise one – without a passport.

So, let’s get started…

These people can legally travel without a passport

1. The Queen of the United Kingdom

I know…it’s a little bit of bummer for some of you. After all, 99% of you reading this would almost certainly never become the Queen of the UK. (or would you? Vsauce music plays in the background)

But, it’s an intriguing fact that her majesty, Queen Elizabeth II does NOT have a passport. In fact, she doesn’t need one.

As a matter of fact, all British passports are issued in her name. Hence, it’d rather be silly to issue one to your own self.

And mind you, unlike me, the Queen might do anything but something silly. (it’s a point)

Therefore, she does not need a passport to travel around the globe. For the same reason she does not have a driver’s license either.

2. A ‘United Nations Laissez-Passer’ holder.

A United Nations Laissez-Passer (UNLP) is a diplomatic travel document issued by the United Nations to it’s staff members. It can also be issued to the staff members of some other international organisations such as the following:-

World Health Organisation (WHO)
World Bank
International Monetary Fund (IMF)
World Trade Organization (WTO)
International Labour Organisation
Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW)
World Tourism Organization
International Organization for Migration
World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO)
International Atomic Energy Agency
Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization Preparatory Commission

It can be used as a travel document exactly like a passport and is accepted almost everywhere in the world.

However, UNLP holders often encounter immigration officials who are unfamiliar with the document. But that’s part and parcel of the privilege only a few people have.

3. The Interpol Travel Document

Just like the UNLP, the International Criminal Police Organisation a.k.a. The Interpol issue the “Interpol Travel Document” to it’s officers which allow them to use it in place of a passport.

This document is issued in order to try and reduce response times for transnational criminal investigations or emergency situation by forgoing visa requirements

However, sometimes (depending on the country they are immigrating to) the officers might require to produce their passport in the conjunction of the Interpol Travel Document.

As of July 2017, the following 103 countries accepted the Interpol Travel Document.

4. A Geneva Passport Holder

A Geneva Passport is also called a Refugee Travel Document. It is a passport like booklet issued to a refugee by the state where he or she lives.

It allows the person in question to travel outside that state and to return there.

However, losing your Refugee Travel Document can lead you to spending 18 years at an Airport as this man, who was also the inspiration for the 2004 Steven Spielberg film “The Terminal” did.

5. A Person with an Alien Passport

Alien Passports are similar to The Geneva Passports. They are issued to a stateless person who, being a non-resident of the country does not posses any valid identity document.

In some cases, it can also be issued to a person who lost his passport whilst he/she was abroad. However, in such cases he/she might not be allowed to make more than one trip.

So, hence you can still travel – INTERNATIONALLY and LEGALLY – without a passport.

I know…

It’s kinda SILLY,
but it’s A POINT!

The post You can travel without a passport, if you’re one of them appeared first on A Silly Point.