What is the use of a blue UN Laissez-Passer?
The United Nations and some other, related international organisations such as the IAEA, issue their employees with blue Laissez-Passer travel documents which, in some circumstances, can be used in place of a national passport.
This wikipedia article gives some details, but notes that many border officials do not understand the document, and some countries don't recognise it or require travellers to carry a national passport as well.
So what is it for? Is it for proving UN affiliation within a country? Without any particular diplomatic privileges is this useful outside of war zones, refugee camps, uranium-enrichment plants, etc?
Best Answer
It is used as a travel document in lieu of a passport. It is issued under Article VII of the Convention of the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations. The Article obliges UN members to recognise the laissez passer as a valid travel document.
Some countries would require a visa for certain passport holders but most countries allow visa free entry for UN laissez-passer holders. Those that do require a visa for laissez-passer holders usually make it much easier for UN staff than people from certain countries (as required by Article VII).
There is also a “red” UN laissez-passer which confers on the holder the same privileges attaching to an accredited diplomat.
I am sure that some people find it easier to use their own national passport from time to time, that is in the nature of any special privilege.
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What is a laissez-passer document?
The laissez-passer is an official document issued by the French consulate to French travellers when their ID card or passport has been stolen or lost and who have to go back to France soon after. This document can only be used once to go back to France. This is a temporary document.Can I travel with a laissez-passer?
The Laissez-Passer is issued ONLY if you are going to Liberia; you cannot use it to go to any other country.How do you use laissez-passer?
To apply for a Laissez-Passer: Send it or have it sent by your laissez-passer contact person together with a copy of your national passport, and if contract agent a copy of your work contract, to the Laissez-Passer service within your Institution.Who gets a UNLP?
4. The UNLP is the official travel document of the organizations of the United Nations system and some others, and is issued to all staff and officials travelling on United Nations related business. It is also used as identification for legitimate entry into the premises of international organizations.What is The Blue Passport ?
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Answer 2
The United Nations Laissez-Passer (UNLP) is a travel document which designates the holder as a UN or UN Specialized Agency official who is traveling abroad to carry out official duties. Furthermore, it is an official travel document recognized by every UN Member State. The fact that some migration officers might not be aware of its existence does not in any manner diminish its value or validity. Although it is worth noting that traveling with the personal one in addition to the LP is advised, as a personal experience after visiting +30 countries, I have never encountered a single migration officer who rejected the UNLP.
Under the Convention on the Privileges and Immunities of the United Nations, all UN officials enjoy privileges and immunities as long as they are serving with a UN agency, and the UNLP is one of those. Blue UNLP are analogs to a Service/Official passport, while Red ones are analogs to a Diplomatic passport, therefore, the level of privileges are different for each type of passport.
In short, the purpose for the UNLP is to designate the holder as an official of the UN System it does not express a country-specific affiliation. It does have privileges and immunities (as described above), it also provides time-saving benefits as any UNLP grants you the right to use diplomatic lines at the migration area of any UN Member State and when requiring a visa (for UN related affairs) these will be provided free of charge and in an expedited manner.
When not traveling, the UN issued ID Card is the document that designates its holder as a UN official with the privileges and immunities that it entails and according to the Convention.
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
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