Your passport is more than a travel document. It’s a glimpse into your country’s identity, pride, and creativity. It also travels with you, carrying the stories, traditions, and artistry of your home country.
For immigrants and new citizens, a passport can mark milestones in life, representing both where you come from and the new chapters you’re creating abroad. While most passports share a familiar look, some nations have transformed theirs into genuine works of art, blending design, culture, and innovation.
From ultraviolet (UV) light illustrations to hidden animations, these passports celebrate culture, creativity, and craftsmanship. In this Remitly guide, we’ll explore some of the world’s most beautiful passports and the remarkable details that make them stand out.
What makes a passport design special?
Every passport has the same purpose: to serve as a secure identification document that helps travelers cross borders safely. But beyond function, the design of a passport can tell a story about who a nation is, what it values, and the culture it celebrates. A passport can also reflect technological innovation, artistic heritage, and the spirit of a country.
Common elements of passport design
Most passports share standard features defined by international regulations:
- A national coat of arms or emblem, usually on the cover, representing authority and sovereignty.
- Specific colors, including dark blue, red, green, and black, which resist wear and look professional.
- Secure paper and printing, including embedded threads, watermarks, and microtext to prevent forgery.
- Machine-readable pages, containing biometric data and digital chips for faster, safer travel.
The creative details that set some passports apart
Some countries take this standard framework and infuse it with creativity, using art and design to tell their national story. The pages may capture the natural world, historical milestones, or cultural motifs that are uniquely meaningful.
When you flip through some modern passports, you’ll notice intricate illustrations on each page, such as drawings of landscapes, architecture, plants, or animals that capture a country’s spirit. These designs blend beauty with symbolic meaning, often reflecting cultural values or national pride.
Some of the most striking designs are invisible until you shine a light on them. Under UV light, you’ll see new layers of color and hidden images emerge: mountains glow, fireworks sparkle, or constellations appear. This feature acts as a security measure while also turning each page into a small surprise.
A few countries have taken innovation to a new level by incorporating flipbook-style animations. Flip through the pages quickly, and you might see a figure walk, fly, or dance across the passport. It’s a detail that invites you to interact with your passport in a playful way.
The choice of font, paper texture, and embossing affects how a passport feels in your hand. Unique materials and typography, such as raised lettering, foil accents, or unique inks, elevate the sense of craftsmanship and make it a tangible expression of identity you can feel as well as see.
A tour of the world’s most beautiful passports
Let’s take a journey around the world to discover some of the passports that are celebrated for their creativity, storytelling, and craftsmanship.
Norway
In line with the country’s design heritage, Norway’s passport cover comes in three colors: white for immigrants, turquoise for diplomats, and red for ordinary citizens. Each features a simple gold-embossed coat of arms and a matte finish that gives it a calm, understated feel.
When you flip through the pages, you’ll see continuous line drawings that trace Norway’s landscapes from the southern fjords to the northern tundra. Mountains, coastlines, and pine forests stretch across the pages in a quiet rhythm, capturing the country’s natural beauty. If you shine a UV light on the pages, the Northern Lights appear in soft, luminous waves, a clever security feature that also adds a touch of wonder to the experience.
Finland
Finland’s passport combines playfulness with tradition. Its deep burgundy cover is embossed with a crowned lion with a sword, subtly hinting at the country’s Arctic wildlife, including moose and reindeer.
Inside, illustrations depict the Finnish Archipelago Sea, with islands, channels, and calm seascapes rendered in delicate detail. The passport’s most charming feature is its flipbook animation: when you flip the pages, a small moose seems to walk across them. It’s an unexpected little surprise that reflects Finland’s love of nature and sense of humor.
Canada
Canada’s navy blue passport blends tradition with playful touches. Its embossed Royal Coat of Arms gives a formal feel, while metallic foil maple leaves shimmer in different colors as the light hits them, reflecting the country’s changing seasons and landscapes.
At first glance, you’ll notice monochrome sketches of landmarks including Parliament Hill, the Rockies, and Niagara Falls. But there’s more to discover. Under UV light, fireworks burst, constellations twinkle, and leaves shimmer. On the photo page, a red maple leaf appears when you warm it with your finger. These little surprises make flipping through the passport both fun and a celebration of Canadian pride.
Australia
Australia’s navy passport reflects the country’s diverse landscapes and rich culture. The cover features the Australian coat of arms, flanked by a kangaroo and an emu, grounding it in tradition.
Inside, you’ll find illustrations of eucalyptus forests, coral reefs, native birds, and desert plains, bringing Australia’s natural beauty to life. Shine a UV light on the pages, and you’ll see nocturnal skies, glowing fauna, and subtle stitching inspired by Aboriginal art.
The colored threads shift under UV light to black, red, and yellow, echoing the Aboriginal flag—a creative touch that blends security with cultural storytelling.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s black passport is less common, and its design carries deep meaning. The silver fern on the cover represents growth, unity, and the country’s Māori heritage. Inside, illustrations take you on a journey through New Zealand’s history of navigation and exploration, from Polynesian canoes to modern aircraft.
If you look under UV light, constellations and traditional navigation patterns appear, linking ancient knowledge with modern technology. The passport feels practical, beautiful, and deeply connected to identity, an elegant symbol of discovery for anyone holding it.
Switzerland
Switzerland’s passport shows how simplicity can make a statement. Its bright red cover features a white Swiss cross in the upper corner; no coat of arms or embellishment, just the unmistakable symbol of Switzerland.
Across the pages, geometric designs depict cantons, mountain ranges, and lakes with precision and elegance. Each page highlights a different region, rendered in soft color gradients that reflect Switzerland’s diversity within unity.
The designs feel clean and functional, while advanced printing ensures the passport stays secure and durable. As you flip through it, you can appreciate the care put into both the design and craftsmanship.
Belgium
Belgium’s passport is playful and full of cultural character. The deep burgundy cover is embossed with a coat of arms, but inside, the pages feature comic-inspired characters. A total of 14 different comic characters appear throughout the booklet, all linked by the theme of travel.
These whimsical illustrations mix everyday scenes with imaginative storytelling. Shine a UV light on the pages, and hidden “easter eggs” appear, blending creativity with security. Holding Belgium’s passport is a little interactive experience, reflecting the country’s love for comics while keeping travelers safe.
Hong Kong
Hong Kong’s passport reflects the city’s blend of tradition and modernity. The dark blue cover features China’s national emblem in gold, signaling heritage and authority.
Inside, full-page illustrations combine contemporary architecture with traditional bauhinia flowers and flying butterflies, creating a dynamic visual panorama. At the bottom of each page, a subtle gold outline of the Great Wall nods to history. Flipping through the passport, you can see the city’s cultural richness and thoughtful design, making it both beautiful and practical.
Honorable mentions
While the passports above are the showstoppers, many others show creativity in more understated ways.
Ireland
Ireland’s passport pairs literature with landscapes. Pages feature passages from beloved Irish writers alongside illustrations of landmarks like the Cliffs of Moher, Newgrange, and Dublin’s Ha’penny Bridge. As you explore the pages, the combination of text and imagery offers a cultural and emotional connection to the country.
Philippines
The Philippine passport showcases the nation’s natural and cultural treasures. Line drawings highlight the Chocolate Hills, Baroque churches, and Mayon Volcano, while bright colors reflect the country’s warmth and optimism. Flipping through it, you can feel a sense of pride and community spirit woven into the design.
Japan
Japan’s passport is elegant and precise. Each page features Katsushika Hokusai’s 36 Views of Mount Fuji, one of Japan’s most iconic art series. The delicate linework and minimalist color palette mirror Japan’s appreciation for beauty, order, and precision. Combining centuries-old art with cutting-edge printing and security features, it feels timeless yet modern.
Iceland
Iceland’s passport design captures the country’s volcanic landscapes with bold, geometric forms. Pages depict glaciers, lava fields, and rugged coastlines. Under UV light, hidden auroras and shifting colors mirror the northern sky. As you flip through it, the passport feels vibrant and alive, echoing Iceland’s ever-changing terrain and creative spirit.
Why passport design matters
Passports may seem like small details in our daily lives, but for many immigrants and travelers, they carry deep emotional significance. They are both practical tools and symbols of identity, pride, and cultural connection.
If you’re living abroad, your passport represents a connection to home—the place you were born, the language you first spoke, the traditions you grew up with. Opening it can bring a sense of comfort, even from thousands of miles away.
And if you’ve recently become a citizen of a new country, your passport marks a new chapter. It’s a symbol of pride, belonging, and the journey you’ve taken to build a life somewhere new.
At the same time, the artistry of a passport celebrates what makes each nation unique, while highlighting what we all share: a love of beauty, storytelling, and discovery.
FAQs
Which country has the most beautiful passport?
Beauty is subjective, but passports from Norway, Finland, and Canada are often highlighted for their creative artwork and innovative use of UV light.
What’s the purpose of UV artwork in passports?
UV artwork adds both beauty and security. The hidden images prevent counterfeiting and give travelers a pleasant surprise when viewed under special light.
Why do some countries redesign their passports?
Passports are updated periodically to include stronger security features, reflect national symbols, or modernize their design.
Why do some passports look similar?
While design details differ, many follow international standards for size, layout, and materials to ensure global recognition and security.
Do all passports have hidden features?
Not all, but many modern passports include UV designs, microtext, or holograms as part of their security measures. These features often serve a creative purpose, too.