visitor's passport
LowFormal, Administrative
Definition
Meaning
A simplified, often temporary travel document issued to citizens of a country for short-term travel, typically with fewer pages and validity than a standard passport.
Also known as a 'temporary passport' or 'emergency passport,' it is usually issued for urgent travel when a standard passport is lost, stolen, expired, or being renewed. It may carry restrictions on which countries accept it and the duration of travel.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
The term is compound and possessive ('visitor's'), though 'visitor passport' is also used. It refers specifically to a document for the bearer, not a passport for visiting someone. It is a hyponym of 'passport'.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
In the UK, the official term was historically 'Visitor’s Passport' (discontinued in 1995). The current equivalent is the 'Emergency Travel Document'. In the US, the term 'visitor's passport' is not an official designation; the closest equivalents are 'Emergency Passport' or 'Temporary Passport'.
Connotations
In the UK, the term now has a historical or generic flavour. In the US, it is not standard bureaucratic terminology and may be used generically or mistakenly.
Frequency
Very low frequency in contemporary use in both varieties. More common in historical or explanatory contexts.
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
apply for + [visitor's passport]issue + [indirect object] + a visitor's passporttravel on + a visitor's passportVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Rare. 'The executive had to get an emergency passport after his was stolen before the merger talks.'
Academic
Used in historical or political science contexts discussing document types and freedom of movement.
Everyday
Uncommon. Might be used by older generations recalling travel or in situations of lost documents.
Technical
Used in immigration law, consular services, and travel advisory contexts to denote a specific class of travel document.
Examples
By Part of Speech
adjective
British English
- The visitor's passport scheme was discontinued decades ago.
American English
- She carried a visitor-passport document for her trip.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- I have a passport.
- My grandfather used a visitor's passport for his trip to France in 1980.
- If your passport is lost abroad, the embassy may issue you an emergency travel document, formerly known as a visitor's passport.
- The philatelic exhibit featured a collection of obsolete travel documents, including several well-preserved British visitor's passports from the 1970s.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: A VISITOR stays temporarily, so a VISITOR'S PASSPORT is for temporary travel.
Conceptual Metaphor
A PASSPORT IS A KEY; a visitor's passport is a spare or temporary key.
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid direct calque 'паспорт визитёра' which is meaningless. Use 'временный паспорт' or 'аварийный проездной документ'.
- Do not confuse with 'виза' (visa). A passport is a document of identity and nationality; a visa is permission to enter.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'visitor passport' without the possessive 's'.
- Confusing it with a 'visa'.
- Assuming it is a current, commonly issued document in English-speaking countries.
Practice
Quiz
What is the closest contemporary equivalent to a 'visitor's passport'?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A visitor's passport is a type of travel document issued by your home country. A visa is a permit issued by the country you wish to enter, often placed inside your passport.
Not under that specific name. The UK issues an 'Emergency Travel Document'. The US issues 'Emergency Passports' or temporary passports through its embassies and consulates.
They typically had shorter validity (often one year or less), fewer pages, and were not accepted by all countries. They were intended for limited, often emergency, travel.
It indicates the passport is 'for a visitor'—that is, for someone making a visit, implying temporary, non-resident travel. The possessive form is standard in compounds for documents (e.g., sailor's discharge book, driver's license).