These Are The Prettiest Passports From Around the World That Excel In Design

Take a peek at some of the world’s most beautiful passports that hit the mark in design from Norway to New Zealand.

More than just a travel document, your passport is a symbol of national identity. Arguably more emblematic than your identity card, a passport is your stamp (no pun intended) of citizenship. I would go as far as to say it can give you a sense of belonging. If you really think about it, it’s the first impression you leave on someone (most likely the customs officer) when travelling or visiting a new country. Each passport possesses its own aesthetic, featuring national landmarks, symbols, or even musical score—most of which only appear under a UV light as a security measure. Below, you’ll find some of our favourite beautiful passport designs from all around the globe.

Disclaimer: the list below is purely subjective and not a definitive ranking of design. It is organised in no particular order.

SWITZERLAND

Perhaps one of the most viral passports to have graced the Internet, the Swiss passport is a frontrunner when it comes to design. Switzerland unveiled its re-designed passport series in late 2022, made in collaboration with Geneva-based independent design studio, Retinaa. It takes inspiration from the country’s rugged topography from the Alpine peaks into the deepest valleys. Though its outward appearance may seem simple, by incorporating UV-sensitive printing that serves a purpose in both design and security, the passport is a work of modern art that goes beyond what the naked eye sees. 

JAPAN

Japan’s passports are undoubtedly some of the most beautiful ones to grace the skies. Its latest design, unveiled late last year, features a plastic photo page adorned with a cherry blossom pattern that you can see when tilting the page as well as a crane watermark. Within the passport, the visa pages feature ukiyo-e master Katsushika Hokusai’s famed “Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji” series, including ““The Great Wave off Kanagawa.”

NORWAY

The Norwegian passport is the work of Neue Design Studio, a branding and design agency based in Oslo. Its concept is an ode to the country’s landscapes, expressing Norway’s identity, while preserving functionality and creativity. For a document of such importance, the agency set out to create a passport that also forged a strong sense of identity for its holders. Within its pages are stunning illustrations of Norwegian domains, including the locations of important historical events and landmarks. 

NEW ZEALAND

Sleek in black, the New Zealand passport is also a top contender for the best-looking travel document out there. New Zealand is one of just seven countries that issues a black-coloured passport. On its cover, the endemic cyathea dealbata fern makes an appearance, while its pages are dotted with navigation motifs and Maori art. When under UV light, its pages reveal more depictions of the iconic fern leaf as well as navigational markings from its days of exploration. 

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s R Series passport was designed to showcase the country’s iconic scenery from the arid deserts to the blue-hued coastlines. Its visa pages feature designs that depict 17 of its iconic landmarks, including Uluru in the Northern Territory, as well as elements of work from two late Aboriginal artists. When viewed in plain sight, the pages show these landscapes drawn in colour. However, under UV light, the illustrations transform into gorgeous neon-lit landscapes. You may even spot some graphics that will only appear under such light. 

CANADA

Canada’s latest passport design is an ode to the four seasons as they appear across the landscapes. The visa pages display various scenes within different ecosystems from the lakes to the forests. With its unique details, the illustrations are extremely difficult to duplicate and tamper with, making them a strong security measure. Under UV light, the pages come alive with even more colour and reveal added details to the artwork. 

FINLAND

Finland also makes it into our list of the most beautiful passports from around the world. While its design is made of various elements inspired by the Archipelago Sea, the one that catches our eye the most is its flipbook animation of a seal. As the pages are turned, the seal appears to turn to face the reader and flashes a soft smile. This animation seems to be a theme in Finnish passport designs as the previous version included one of a moose walking. 

HONG KONG

Hong Kong’s passport pay homage to its storied skyline. In plain view, the visa pages show illustration of The Great Wall of China, various flowers—including the plum blossom—and traditional Chinese characters. They then take on an entirely different look as vibrant illustrations of the cityscape, bauhinia flowers, and butterflies pop up under a UV light.

MALAYSIA

 

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Injecting some national pride into our roundup is the Malaysian passport. Not only is it one of the most powerful passports out there, it is also one of the world’s most beautiful passports—in our humble opinion. Lined with national symbols such as the Bunga Raya, its pages remind us of the country’s rich biodiversity. When held under a UV light, illuminated images of landmark buildings, including the Petronas Twin Towers, appear. 

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