History of Passport in Timeline

A passport is a government-issued travel document that verifies a person's identity and nationality, enabling international travel. It grants the bearer entry and temporary residency in foreign countries, access to local assistance, and consular support from their government. Beyond travel facilitation, passports are crucial for border security, migration control, and can serve as official identification domestically.

1914: British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act Passed

In 1914, the British Nationality and Status of Aliens Act was passed, which clearly defined citizenship and created a booklet form of the passport.

1920: Language recommendations for passports at League of Nations conference

In 1920, an international conference on passports held by the League of Nations recommended that passports be issued in the French language, and one other language.

1920: League of Nations conference on passports

In 1920, the League of Nations held a conference on passports, the Paris Conference on Passports & Customs Formalities and Through Tickets, resulting in passport guidelines and a general booklet design.

1920: Modern passport universally adopted and standardized

In 1920, the modern passport was universally adopted and standardized, taking the form of a booklet with the government's name and emblem, containing the individual's biographical information such as name, photograph, place and date of birth, and signature.

1922: League of Nations issued Nansen passports

From 1922, the League of Nations issued Nansen passports to stateless refugees.

1926: League of Nations follow-up conference

In 1926, a follow-up conference regarding passports was held by the League of Nations.

1927: League of Nations follow-up conference

In 1927, a follow-up conference regarding passports was held by the League of Nations.

1938: League of Nations issued Nansen passports

Until 1938, the League of Nations issued Nansen passports to stateless refugees.

1963: United Nations travel conference

In 1963, the United Nations held a travel conference, but no passport guidelines resulted from it.

1980: Passport standardization under ICAO auspices

In 1980, passport standardization came about under the auspices of the ICAO, including standards for machine-readable passports.

1997: Granting of Chinese nationality in Hong Kong

In 1997, the granting of Chinese nationality in Hong Kong affected ease of travel for permanent residents of Indian, Pakistani, and Nepali ethnicity, who were not granted Chinese nationality at the time.

1998: Transition to biometric passports

Since 1998, many countries transitioned to biometric passports, which contain an embedded microchip to facilitate authentication and safeguard against counterfeiting.

2006: Serbian passport rating improvement since 2006

The Serbian passport is one of the 5 passports with the most improved rating globally since 2006, in terms of the number of countries that its holders may visit without a visa.

July 2011: China launches trial issuance of e-passports

On 1 July 2011, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the People's Republic of China launched a trial issuance of e-passports for individuals conducting public affairs work overseas on behalf of the Chinese government.

May 2012: Introduction of ordinary biometric passports in China

On 15 May 2012, ordinary biometric passports were introduced by the Ministry of Public Security in China.

2012: Chinese citizens holding ordinary passports

In 2012, over 38 million Chinese citizens held ordinary passports, comprising only 2.86 percent of the total population at the time.

2014: China issued 16 million passports

In 2014, China issued 16 million passports, ranking first in the world, surpassing the United States and India.

January 2015: All new passports issued by China are biometric e-passports

As of January 2015, all new passports issued by China are biometric e-passports, and non-biometric passports are no longer issued.

November 2015: New Zealand Passport validity extended

After 30 November 2015, New Zealand Passports can be valid for ten years.

October 2016: Ordinary passports in circulation in China

By October 2016, the number of ordinary passports in circulation in China rose to 120 million, which was approximately 8.7 percent of the population.

2016: Danish passport ranking in World Tourism Organization report

According to the World Tourism Organization 2016 report, the Danish passport is first in the world (tied with Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Singapore, and the United Kingdom) in terms of travel freedom.

April 2017: China issues over 100 million biometric ordinary passports

As of April 2017, China had issued over 100 million biometric ordinary passports.

April 2017: Nationals banned from entering parts of eastern Libya

Since April 2017, nationals of Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sudan, Syria, Yemen, and Iran have been banned from entering the parts of eastern Libya under the control of the Tobruk government.

September 2017: US restrictions on visas for certain nationalities

Between September 2017 and January 2021, the United States of America did not issue new visas to nationals of Iran, North Korea, Libya, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen.

January 2021: Repeal of US visa restrictions

Between September 2017 and January 2021, the United States of America did not issue new visas to nationals of Iran, North Korea, Libya, Somalia, Syria, or Yemen pursuant to restrictions imposed by the Trump administration, which were subsequently repealed by the Biden administration on 20 January 2021.

January 2021: China and Hong Kong prohibit use of BN(O) passports

Since January 2021, the Chinese and Hong Kong governments have prohibited the use of British National (Overseas) passports as travel documents or proof of identity.

September 2022: Danish passport ranking in Henley Passport Index

As of September 2022, Danish citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 188 countries and territories, ranking the Danish passport fifth in the world (tied with the passports of Austria, the Netherlands, and Sweden) according to the Henley Passport Index.

August 2023: Serbian passport ranking in Henley Passport Index

As of August 2023, Serbian citizens had visa-free or visa on arrival access to 138 countries and territories, ranking the Serbian passport 38th overall in terms of travel freedom according to the Henley Passport Index.