How Many Passports Can You Have? part 1 – that will be the topic of today’s article.
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Introduction
For many expats, a question they face soon after moving to a new country is whether or not they need a passport. After all, passports are often an essential part of traveling, and moving around the world can become very expensive without one.
However, some countries do not require that expats have passports for travel within the country’s borders. For example, the United States does not need a passport for travel within its borders. This is great news for American expats who are moving to Mexico, as they will not have to worry about obtaining a passport before making a move.
Besides, it is important to note that some forms of identification, such as a driver’s license, do not count as a passport and, therefore, will not be accepted for travel. In addition to the United States, certain Caribbean countries also do not require expats to have passports in order to visit their borders.
In many of these countries, including Aruba and The Bahamas, a driver’s license or birth certificate is sufficient proof of identity. On the other end of the spectrum, most European countries do require that expats have passports before visiting or moving to the country. In most cases, they are not required for travel within specific regions (i.e., France does not require a passport for travel within certain French territories).
Today, we have come to your rescue by providing the types of passports you can have as a citizen or expat moving to a new country. Aside from this fact, we will walk you through the types of visas you should need as an expat and many others, to mention a few. Would you love to know more? Read further!
Types of Passports You Need to Know
Ever wanted to travel the world? Well, you’ll need a passport first. But what type of passport is right for your trip? The United States and Mexico have a reciprocal agreement that allows their citizens to visit both countries without hassle.
However, if you’re planning on going overseas, many different passports can accommodate your needs. There are five types of passports: government-issued passports, diplomatic passports, service passports, official passports, and travel documents. Check it out below!
Government-Issued Passports
A government-issued passport is a passport issued by the government of a country to its citizens. It is the most common type of passport and is used for international travel. Government-issued passports are usually used for identification, legal travel within issuance, and international travel.
This contains all the information about a person (name, date of birth, sex). They are often used to obtain certain rights (expatriate voting), obtain welfare or government benefits, enroll in school or university programs, apply for jobs, and gain entry into another country.
Diplomatic Passport
A diplomatic passport is a document used by diplomats to enter another country. It allows the bearer access to certain regions and/or states that would otherwise be inaccessible, such as through the laws of warfare or on diplomatic or official travel bans.
Diplomatic passports are valid for five years and can be renewed. They often contain a letter from the head of the diplomat’s government, authorizing the bearer to travel and conduct diplomatic business on behalf of their home country.
Service Passport
A service passport is a document issued to employees of a company or organization who are traveling abroad for work-related reasons. Service passports are different from government-issued passports in that they are not intended for general international travel but rather for specific work-related purposes.
This kind of passport usually contains a letter from the employee’s employer authorizing the bearer to travel and conduct work-related business on behalf of their company or organization.
Official Passport
An official passport is a document issued to government officials and employees who are traveling abroad for work-related reasons. Official passports are different from government-issued passports in that they are not intended for general international travel but rather for specific work-related purposes. Official passports usually contain a letter from the employee’s employer authorizing the bearer to travel and conduct work-related business on behalf of their company or organization.
Travel Document
A travel document is issued to stateless persons, refugees, and other people who do not have a valid passport or travel document. Travel documents allow these individuals to travel internationally and are often used for identification purposes.
They are different from government-issued passports in that they are not intended for general international travel but rather for specific travel-related purposes. Travel documents usually contain a letter from a government or impartial organization that verifies the bearer’s identity and confirms their status.
How Many Passports Can You Have?
Do you want to travel the world? You can easily do that because there are no limits to having multiple passports. But how many passports does one person need? To begin with, you need at least two valid national passports to enter another country legally.
On the other hand, a citizen can have more than two passports, depending on the country’s regulations. For example, in the United States, you can have up to five passports. However, some countries only allow their citizens to hold one passport at a time.
So if you’re a dual citizen or hold multiple passports from different countries, make sure you know the local regulations before you travel. Keep in mind that you need a visa for every country where you plan to stay longer than the allowed time.
For example, if you are planning on visiting Europe, make sure to know which countries require visas from US citizens. Some people choose to have more passports because they want to protect their assets in another currency or haven.
Most people with multiple passports tend to have two or more so they can travel with ease. But some people choose to apply for a second passport if the first one gets taken away. Regardless, it is an individual’s right to have multiple passports. So if you are willing to pay all the fees associated with owning one, then you should go ahead and get yourself a few more. Just be sure to keep track of all your passports and visas!
8 Reasons to Have Multiple Passports
Why do some people have multiple passports? Many people are confused about why someone would want to have two or more citizenships. They might say that it’s “against the law” or “not moral.” However, this is not always the case. Here are seven reasons you should consider having multiple passports
1. Mobility
Having multiple passports is an insurance policy against getting shut out of countries due to visa restrictions or other reasons. It can help in emergencies when you need to flee a country quickly, especially if the government is hostile towards you for whatever reason.
For example, US citizens often complain that they are unable to travel to Cuba even as tourists, while Canadian and Mexican citizens can. This is because the US government has placed restrictions on travel to Cuba for its citizens. If you have a passport from another country that allows visa-free or easy entry to Cuba, you can take advantage of that and travel there without any problems.
2. Holding Citizenship in More Than One Country
Many countries in the world will allow you to hold on to citizenship even if you formally renounce it. A good example of this is Taiwan, which allows Taiwanese citizens to hold on to their citizenship after they renounce it.
Not having a country might seem like nothing but trouble – what’s your official legal status if not a citizen of any country? – But it does have its advantages. For one, you can travel to more countries visa-free or with a straightforward visa process. And if you ever need to flee your home country for whatever reason, you’ll have a place to go.
3. Avoiding Taxes
One of the main reasons people choose to hold dual or multiple citizenships is to avoid paying taxes. Every country has different tax laws, and often it can be advantageous for citizens of one country to pay taxes in another country.
For example, if you are a US citizen but also hold citizenship in a country that has no income tax, you can avoid paying US income taxes. Of course, this only works if you actually live in the country with no income tax and don’t have any assets or income in the US.
4. Protection against Persecution in Your Home Country
Having multiple passports is not just an insurance policy against getting shut out of countries you might want to visit or live in; it can also protect you from persecution in your home country. This works best if your home country is hostile towards you for some reason (political views, religion, race, etc.).
For example, let’s say that you are the child of Russian expats in Mexico. If you went back to Russia with your parent’s passport, you might get arrested for something your parents did while living in Mexico (like maybe some political protest that would not be allowed in Russia).
However, if you hold both Mexican and Russian citizenship, then this problem is averted because you can claim Mexican citizenship and avoid the persecution that Russian authorities might dish out to you.
5. Easier Travel in General
Having multiple passports makes it easier to travel because you have more options for visas. For example, let’s say you want to visit Europe, but you only have a US passport. In order to visit most countries in Europe, you would need to get a Schengen Visa, which is not always easy to get.
However, if you have a passport from another European Union country, you can travel freely within the Schengen Zone. This is just one example – many countries worldwide offer easier visa procedures for citizens of certain countries.
6. Generating More Opportunities in Life
If you are a dual citizen of two countries, it can open up many opportunities. Oftentimes, these results are more accessible paths to certain universities due to speaking the language fluently or having connections in that country.
For example, if you have the US and Canadian citizenship, you have an easier path to getting accepted at any local university since English is the primary language in Canada, and there are many similarities between the two countries.
7. Increased Security
Lastly, having multiple passports can actually make you more secure. If something happens and your home country is no longer safe, you can flee to another country using your other passport. This gives you a Plan B in case of emergency and can help keep you safe during difficult times.
8. Having More Travel Options
Lastly, having multiple passports simply provides more travel options. You can visit more countries without needing a visa, and you have the option of using different passports for different purposes (business or leisure). All in all, there are many reasons to hold multiple passports. While it may not be for everyone, it can provide genuine benefits.
If you are considering this, make sure to calculate the costs and benefits first. Also, remember that not everyone will want to give up their original citizenship when applying for a second one. Make sure you understand what obligations come with having multiple citizenships and avoid creating problems for yourself down the line if possible.
