There’s now one more reason to feel proud when pulling out your Philippine passport.
Hypebeast, a leading culture and lifestyle platform, recently featured the Philippines in its list of the most aesthetically designed passports in the world. The magazine’s curated roundup highlights unique and visually striking passport designs from across the globe — including Norway’s UV-reactive landscapes, Japan’s traditional ukiyo-e art, and New Zealand’s minimalist black cover.
For the Philippines, Hypebeast spotlighted the iconic Philippine eagle design featured on the inside cover of the passport. The bird — a symbol of strength and national pride — stood out in the lineup of culturally rich visuals that, according to Hypebeast, “set the bar for design.”
Other passports in the list include those from Finland, Belgium, Hungary, Hong Kong, and Canada.
The Philippines issues three main types of passports, each with a distinct color and function based on internationally recognized categories:
Maroon passports are issued to Filipino citizens for regular travel, including non-official trips by public officials.
Red passports are used by government personnel on official business, as well as certain staff in diplomatic posts abroad. These do not grant diplomatic immunity and are generally valid for six months.
Dark blue passports are reserved for diplomats, Cabinet members, and official delegates to international organizations. Holders of these passports are entitled to diplomatic privileges and protections.
There are also other special travel documents, such as green refugee travel documents issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and dark blue Seafarer’s Record Books for licensed sailors. In a symbolic gesture in 2019, two Philippine eagles loaned to Singapore were issued maroon passports to affirm their status as Philippine government property.
Despite ranking 75th in the Henley Passport Index this year, the Philippine passport is gaining recognition in other ways — not for its visa power, but for its design.