The Colour Code of Indian Passports: Who Gets What & Why

Indian Passports Decoded: What Red, White & Blue Really Mean

Red, White, Blue: What Do Indian Passport Colours Mean?

Passports are more than just travel documents—they reflect a traveler’s purpose and status. In India, passports come in three different colours, each assigned to a specific category of individuals and functions. Here’s a simple breakdown.

🔵 Blue Passport – Ordinary Passport

• Issued To: All regular Indian citizens
• Purpose: Travel for business, tourism, studies, or work
• Features: Available in 36 or 60 pages, depending on the applicant’s travel frequency

⚪ White Passport – Official Passport

• Issued To: Government employees traveling abroad on official duty
• Purpose: Identifies the bearer as a representative of the Indian government
• Requirements: Duty certificate, office verification, and government authorization

🔴 Red Passport – Diplomatic Passport

• Issued To: Diplomats, ambassadors, and high-ranking officials
• Purpose: Travel for international diplomatic missions and negotiations
• Privileges: May offer expedited processing and diplomatic protections abroad