Archive · 3 Sep 2026
Why Passports Usually Come in Red, Blue, Green, or Black
Most passports around the world use only a few dark colors.
A creator named Apoorva explained why this may be the case in an Instagram video.
Red or burgundy is connected in the video to European identity.
Blue is described as a color used by countries that wanted to look separate from “old Europe.”
Green is linked to Islam in many countries.
Black is used by New Zealand and can also appear on diplomatic passports.
The creator also said gold decorations look better on dark covers.
People online pointed out that Nepal has brown passports and Singapore has a bright red one, while others suggested purple.
Apoorva’s Instagram video says passports worldwide are mostly red, blue, green, or black.
The video links burgundy passports to European identity and says some non-EU countries adopted red to signal European aspirations.
Blue is described as associated with the “New World” and, in some cases, opposition to communist or European symbolism.
Green is linked to Islam, while black is used by New Zealand and can identify some diplomatic passports.
Apoorva says darker covers make gold foil emblems appear sharper, though commenters cited brown, bright red, and other possibilities.
- Who
- Content creator Apoorva discussed passport colors, while commenters highlighted examples including Nepal and Singapore.
- What
- An Instagram video explained why passports are mostly red, blue, green, or black and why brighter colors are uncommon.
- When
- The explanation appeared in a recent Instagram video.
- Where
- The discussion concerns passports used around the world.
- Why
- The video attributed passport colors to political, regional, religious, national-identity, and manufacturing considerations.
- Common colors
- Most passports are described as red, blue, green, or black.
- European connection
- The video says the European Union chose burgundy passports in the 1980s to promote European identity.
- Blue symbolism
- Blue is described as associated with the “New World” and distance from “old Europe.”
- Religious association
- Green is linked in the video to many Islamic countries and the Prophet’s favorite color.
- Black passports
- New Zealand uses black as part of its national identity, and black can also be associated with diplomatic passports.
- Manufacturing explanation
- Heated metal foil used for gold emblems is said to look sharper against darker covers.
- Exceptions mentioned
- Commenters cited Nepal’s brown passport and Singapore’s bright red passport.