Passport-Free Travel: 4 Countries You Can Cross Borders Without A Passport

For most foreign trips, carrying a passport is mandatory. However, not all countries and areas around the world allow specific tourists to cross borders without being under special agreements and regional travel arrangements. Want to know more about it? Read on!

Countries Where Passport-Free Travel Is Allowed

As per a report by India Today, these passport-free travel arrangements are frequently dependent on bilateral treaties or local partnerships. While tourists may not need a passport, they are still mandated to carry an approved identity document, such as a national identity card or voter ID. Here are all the countries where passport-free travel is allowed.

1. Schengen Area

The Schengen Area permits seamless travel across 29 European countries with no routine border checks. Citizens of European Union member nations can often travel around the region by using their national identity cards instead of passports.

2. Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)

Nationals of GCC countries can travel across member nations using their national identity cards under mutually beneficial agreements, eliminating the need for a passport.

3. Common Travel Area

British and Irish nationals can travel freely within the Common Travel Area, which covers the UK, Ireland, the Isle of Man and the Channel Islands, without needing a passport.

4. ECOWAS

Several member countries of the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) also allow regional travel using national identity cards, based on local regulations.

Also Read: Did You Know Delhi Students Will Need Passports To Explore The City?

Countries With Unique Passport Exceptions

Well, there are a few countries as well that follow unique passport exceptions. They are as follows:

India

Indian nationals can go to Nepal using either a valid passport or an Election Commission-issued Voter ID card. Travel to Bhutan is also allowed with a passport or Voter ID, though additional permits may be required for road travel. Aadhaar, PAN cards and driving licences are not accepted for air travel to Nepal.

United States

US citizens can visit many US territories without a passport. Some closed-loop sailings that start and end at the same US port may also permit travellers to use alternative documents instead of a passport.

Canada & Mexico

For certain land and sea crossings between the US, Canada and Mexico, tourists can use Enhanced Driver’s Licences or trusted traveller cards in the form of passports. However, these alternatives generally do not apply to air travel.

Also Read: No More Showing Passport Or Boarding Pass? Bengaluru Airport Tests Paperless Biometric Travel

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