I was talking with a friend of mine recently who was sure that an American passport was the most powerful. I started wondering about this as while it seems reasonable, I don’t think it is actually so. It would seem that the commonwealth countries have a more powerful passport for a few reasons.
- The commonwealth countries are able to participate in Working Holiday programs run by most western governments pretty much except the US. Such programs operated on a reciprocal basis and since the US doesn’t want to offer working holidays, holders of a US Passport can’t do a working holiday on that basis.
- Less restricted travel. Holders of a commonwealth passport can go to countries that the US restricts its citizens from traveling to, such as countries like Afghanistan or Iran. To my knowledge most commonwealth countries don’t prevent their citizens from going to such countries, even if it is a warzone. Not to mention being able to go to Cuba without having to hide it.
- Holders with a commonwealth passport get longer in other commonwealth countries. For example most people from a commonwealth country will get six months in the UK, while holders of a US passport only get three.
I am unable to think of any advantages a US passport has over a commonwealth passport. I would have thought commonwealth passports were essentially equal to a US passport, but given the above advantages it would seem that are actually better to have. I would be interested to hear any thoughts on this.
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In some countries birder officials might also have a bad attitude or delay people from certain countries (often US). US passport holders also need a visa for Brazil. I always though Swiss, Canadian and Australian passports would be better as these countries are somewhat more neutral.
Comment by Tihomir — November 8, 2011 @ 7:15 pm
Thanks for blogging on this great subject! I think more individuals need to travel abroad. I work with work, study and volunteer exchange programs in the US. I am asked on a regular basis for assistance with working holidays in the UK and other countries and I can only offer Australia. Australia is great but having a single choice is not really a choice. The more I research to assist my clients the more I learn how restricted we are. Another interesting fact regarding the reciprocal nature of all these programs is the visa cost. The US charges higher visa fee’s therefore Americans pay higher fees to obtain visa’s in many other countries then those of other travelers. I am very interested to see how will affect our participation in the steady forming global society.
Comment by Lifexchange LLC — November 9, 2011 @ 8:28 am
I am citizen of cameroon, which is actually a commonwealth country, How i get entitled of commonwealth passport ? and if yes how do i go about applying for it.
Look forward for your response
Comment by will — January 11, 2012 @ 7:43 am