Nigeria: Information on the "world passport", its validity, the issuing agency/company; on whether it is recognized as a travel document by any government; and on its use by Nigerian citizens
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 1 November 1995 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA21926.E |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: Information on the "world passport", its validity, the issuing agency/company; on whether it is recognized as a travel document by any government; and on its use by Nigerian citizens, 1 November 1995, NGA21926.E, available at: http://www.refworld.org/docid/3ae6ace26c.html [accessed 29 October 2017] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
The following information was obtained in a telephone interview with the general counsel of the World Service Authority (WSA) on 31 October 1995.
The "world passport" is issued by the World Service Authority, a Washington, DC-based organization. It can be issued for three-, eight- and 15-year periods of validity. The WSA is the administrative agency for the World Government of World Citizens, an international organization that advocates the common humanity of all citizens, global citizenship and respect for all cultures. It was formed in the aftermath of the Second World War in 1954 by American Garry Davis. The organization focuses on human rights related to travel as expressed in the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights, particularly Article 13. To this end the WSA issues world passports, world identity cards, world birth and marriage certificates, and international exit visas and residence permits.
The world passport is officially recognized by Burkina Faso, Ecuador, Mauritania, Tanzania, Togo and Zambia. Official recognition was obtained through the offices of the president in each of these countries.
The world passport is regarded as having obtained "de facto recognition" when the bearer of a world passport is able to obtain a visa or exit or entry stamp in the document. The WSA relies on passport holders to forward to its Washington headquarters photocopies of such stamps, which the organization retains and publishes as a record of validation of the world passport.
The source stated that the developed countries are less likely to stamp world passports than are lesser developed countries, although the WSA does have on record stamps from developed countries such as Canada, the United States and Japan. Whether the world passport is used as the only travel document or as a secondary document depends on the individual and on the country being visited.
World passports have been issued "honourarily" to the Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Jean-Bertrand Aristide. As well, the WSA makes ten passports available to refugees for every $300 contribution to its World Refugee Fund.
According to a fax received from the WSA, 757 individuals applied from Nigeria for a WSA passport and/or an identity card and birth certificate between 1 January 1990 and 1 November 1995 (1 Nov. 1995). As well, 2075 individuals who were born in Nigeria have applied for the WSA passport, although the applications were not necessarily made from Nigeria. For additional information on these figures, facsimiles of Nigerian stamps that have appeared in WSA passports, and general information on the WSA and the documents it issues, please consult the attachments.
According to Citizenship and Immigration Canada, International Services Group, no document issued by the WSA is acceptable for either travel or identity purposes (20 Oct. 1995). This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the DIRB within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum.
References
Citizenship and Immigration Canada, International Services Group (ISG), Hull. 20 October 1995. Letter dated 18 October 1995.
World Service Authority, Washington, DC. 1 November 1995. Fax received by the DIRB.
_____. 31 October 1995. Telephone interview with general counsel.
Attachments
World Service Authority, Washington, DC. 1 November 1995. Fax received by the DIRB.
_____. 1 November 1995. World passport with Nigerian stamps. Photocopy faxed to the DIRB.
_____. Information package received by the DIRB.
