United Nations laissez-passer

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== United Nations laissez-passer ==

The United Nations laissez-passer (UNLP) is an international travel document issued by the United Nations (UN) to its officials and employees. The UNLP is recognized as a valid travel document by most countries, facilitating the movement of UN personnel across international borders in the course of their official duties.

History

The UNLP was first introduced in 1946, following the establishment of the United Nations. It was created to provide UN officials with a standardized travel document that would be recognized globally, ensuring that they could carry out their duties without hindrance.

Types of UNLP

There are two types of UNLPs:

• Blue UNLP: Issued to UN staff members and officials.
• Red UNLP: Issued to high-ranking officials, such as Under-Secretary-Generals and Assistant Secretary-Generals.

Eligibility

The UNLP is issued to:

• UN staff members
• Officials of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP)
• Officials of the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF)
• Officials of the World Health Organization (WHO)
• Officials of other UN specialized agencies

Features

The UNLP contains several security features to prevent forgery and unauthorized use. These include:

• Biometric data
• Holographic images
• Watermarks
• Machine-readable zones

Recognition and Use

The UNLP is recognized by most countries around the world. Holders of the UNLP are often granted visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to many countries, although this can vary depending on the country and the purpose of travel. The document is primarily used for official travel, and holders may still require a visa for personal travel.

Related Pages

• United Nations
• United Nations Development Programme
• United Nations Children's Fund
• World Health Organization
• Under-Secretary-General
• Assistant Secretary-General