The big problem with the Australian passport is that it is called the most expensive travel document in the world
- Australian passport is the most expensive in the world
- Travel document costs $325
Australians officially have the world’s most expensive passport, and the travel document costs a whopping $325.
The next most expensive passport after Australia is Mexico, with an equivalent of $255, and the third is Switzerland, with a document costing $210.
According to data from insurance company William Russell, the United States ranked as the fifth most expensive passport on the list at $195, and the UK ranked 13th at $150 out of 38 countries.
The cheapest passport on the list was for those living in the Czech Republic. Their passport only cost them $40.
Despite the hefty price, Australia is only considered the eighth most powerful passport, relative to the number of countries that residents can enter visa-free.
Australians officially have the world’s most expensive passport, and the travel document costs a whopping $325
Australians can travel visa-free to 186 countries, according to The Henley Passport Index.
Passports from Japan and Singapore are considered the most powerful, with residents of those countries able to enter 193 countries with ease.
Canadian and Greek passports also had the same rank as Australia but came at a much more affordable price of $188 and $150 respectively.
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said foreign passports calculate fees differently than Australia. It said our passports had a “high level of technological sophistication” and were highly respected internationally.
In February, a new Australian passport was unveiled: the R series.
It featured a new cover layout, a more secure photo page, and the inner pages now show 17 Australian landscapes that change color under certain light.
The former P-series passports are no longer issued, with Aussies applying for a new or replacement passport automatically getting the new version.
The new passports now have the ePassport chip embedded in the photo page – which is also now made of sturdier laminated plastic that is more resistant to wear and tear.
The main photo is also now in black and white instead of color, although the secondary photos are in color.
And the printing is now done with a laser instead of ink, making them even harder to counterfeit.