A regular passport, also known as a national passport, is an official travel document issued by a government to its citizens. It serves as a means of international identification and proof of citizenship. Here are the key features and functions of a regular passport:
- Identification: A regular passport contains personal details of the holder, including their full name, date of birth, photograph, nationality, and passport number. This information helps to identify the individual during international travel.
- Proof of Citizenship: The passport acts as proof of the holder’s citizenship and grants them the protection of their home country’s government while abroad.
- Travel Document: It is required for entry into most countries and is used to obtain visas, where necessary. It also contains pages for immigration officers to stamp when the holder enters or exits a country.
- Security Features: Regular passports are equipped with various security features to prevent fraud and forgery, such as watermarks, holograms, microprinting, and biometric data (e.g., fingerprints or facial recognition).
- Validity: The validity of a regular passport typically ranges from 5 to 10 years, depending on the issuing country and the age of the passport holder. After this period, it must be renewed.
- Types of Regular Passports: While the term “regular passport” usually refers to standard passports issued to ordinary citizens, there are different types of passports within the same category, such as:
- Ordinary Passport: Issued to the general public for regular international travel.
- Diplomatic Passport: Issued to diplomats and government officials for official international business.
- Official or Service Passport: Issued to government employees or military personnel for work-related travel.
- Travel Benefits: Having a regular passport allows the holder to travel internationally, enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to certain countries (depending on agreements between countries), and re-enter their home country without difficulties.
In summary, a regular or national passport is an essential travel document that provides identification, confirms citizenship, and allows international travel while offering various security features and a specified period of validity.


