Don’t be like Queen Elizabeth II—get yourself a passport! (Seriously. .)
Fun fact: These handy little travel documents have been around for over a thousand years; some claim that King Henry V formally introduced their use, but the Bible’s Book of Nehemiah also mentioned a royal travel document from King Artaxerxes I of Persia around 450 BCE).
Why get a passport? Because they have been proven to create better-rounded individuals, lead to wanderlust travel posts, and make the world a more accessible place.
Plus, you can flip through them wistfully whenever you want.
Reasons to have a passport include, but are not limited to, leisure, business, school, or social duties. Common side effects range from an abnormal amount of bus ticket stubs tacked onto the fridge, to fluency in six new languages, with some individuals experiencing job offers on tropical islands and a new sense of global community. Frequent users of passports also report increased levels of happiness, international friends, and more satisfaction with life.
Sure, Ramses II got a passport over 3,000 years after his death (for his mummified self to be legally flown from Egypt to France for maintenance work), but why put off the thrill of travel so long?
We think you’ll agree with us that the benefits of a passport are a bit more useful while young and free; read forth!
How do I get a passport?
Even if it sounds a lot more official, getting a passport is not too different from the university or financial aid application process—except that there’s no essay required, less decision-making involved, and fewer chances of getting a rejection letter.
, but in general it’s as simple as:
- Filling out a passport application
- Submitting the required payment
- Getting (flattering) passport-approved photos
- Proving your identity with some ID photocopies
- Dropping off the signed bundle at an approved passport facility near you (or via mail, depending)
Pro tip: Double-check all required paperwork to avoid any additional delays! Then, sit back and wait for your application to come back to you in the form of a shiny new passport. Wait times average 4-6 weeks, but calculate extra time just to be safe, especially during the springtime (because summer holiday season).
READ MORE: Is a Passport Card Worth it?
10 cool benefits of a passport
Our favorite benefit? The nearly endless travel possibilities.
Regardless of if your passport is red or blue, if northern lights appear under UV light (Norway), or an animated moose hops through the pages as you flip them (Finland), the benefits of getting a passport are many. Here’s a brief list of some of our favorite perks:
1. It’s a formal government-issued ID
Not only is a passport a legal proof of ID, but it’s recognized across the globe as such. Sure, it’s handy to have a passport as back-up when entering bars if your driver’s license has been lost, but it’s even more useful to get you out of trouble with the police abroad in Peru or to apply for a monthly metro card in Poland.
School ID’s or DL’s don’t get you very far abroad, but passports are universally respected. Plus, a passport is now required for some domestic flights as well! (And remember that Canada or Mexico are still foreign countries.)
2. It’s your ticket to the world
Some passports give you more freedom than others, but for Americans, Europeans, and Aussies, a passport opens the door to a majority of the world. That’s around 170 countries to visit, enjoy, get lost in, learn from, and go back to. In other words, 170 additional reasons to have a passport.
We love this sentiment.
Less than half of Americans have a valid passport, and while domestic travel is on the rise, there’s a really big world out there to conquer. And, (from personal growth to business opportunities!).
3. Easy proof of citizenship
Whether at home or abroad, a passport proves that you have the right to be in your home country (or temporary access to another country). Pretty straight-forward reason to own a passport, but definitely worth mentioning and very important!
As cool as airports are becoming, no one wants to recreate The Terminal…
4. It’s the prerequisite for visas
Many countries require a visa to pass through their borders and it just makes the whole application process a lot easier if you already have your passport. Sometimes, a passport is all you actually need in order to qualify for a visa.
, but why stress over double waiting times and turnovers? It’s easier to level up now rather than do multiple stacks of paperwork and postal queues all at once later on!
5. More work opportunities
Whether you want to earn some extra pocket money with a fast'n furious seasonal job abroad ( or , anyone?) or you got a promotion that requires international travel, a passport lets you seize many more professional business opportunities.
Not only does international travel look good on CVs, but many companies have a preference in hiring/promoting individuals that are willing to board planes if needed.
Yeah, basically . If anyone knows of such a company that is hiring…
6. You can study abroad!
No matter where your dream destination is, you’ll never get there without a passport.
Another benefit of getting a passport is the chance to study abroad, . Not only does study abroad strengthen and evolve character, but it sets individuals up with an international network for all future endeavors.
A passport can get you there, as well as provide a valid ID abroad while bar hopping in Prague or renting bikes in Germany.
They say that practice makes perfect, so might as well start as early as possible in judging which customs queue moves the fastest!
7. Improved legal safety around child laws
On another, more serious note, obtaining passports for children minimizes the risk of losing them in child custody battles or kidnappings from ex-partners. Furthermore, if you are interested in adopting a child abroad, you will need a passport to go visit, apply, and bring them back home safely. Plus, the application for a children’s passport is a lot easier, and it’s better to apply for it sooner rather than later!
8. Peace of mind
Having a passport is step one to becoming a globetrotter.
Surprise birthday trip? Wedding invitation? Funeral? Work relocation? Spring semester abroad? Caribbean cruise raffle winner? There are endless reasons to hop on a plane, many of them last-minute and unexpected. Having a passport in your bedside drawer means that you are ready for any adventure, anywhere, anytime.
Remember to renew when needed (at least six months before expiration).
9. International romance
It’s true that there are many fish in the pond, but sometimes, the selection is a lot more appealing in new depths than in the same fishbowl we’ve been circling in for years. Plus, there’s just something in the exotic air of foreign lands that draws out the most fun in us (and others!), which is always a good point in time to make a connection.
Around 20% of travelers end up in long-distance relationships and some form of “Has a Passport” is on over half of the Dream Partner lists (presumably because a honeymoon to Paris sounds a lot more romantic than Corpus Christi, although it has also been proven that international travel strengthens relationships).
10. You can track your travels
A passport not only opens the passenger door to a world of destinations and stories, but also serves as a travel diary through the years. Visas, trip dates, and border control stamps are all documented inside, which is a nice memoir to flip through and reminisce about (and inspire new travels).
Are you convinced? Get your passport ASAP!
Greatness from small beginnings, right?
As Nickelback persistently inquired: “What are you waiting for?”
With so many good reasons to have a passport, get one now to have for later. Even if there’s no urgency, you never know when the next big opportunity will present itself—and if it’s halfway across the world, you want to be ready to greet it with open arms.
Or if inspiration strikes while watching the next episode of Emily in Paris, you’ll also be ready to say oui to new possibilities. There’s a whole world out there waiting for you and your new travel companion!
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