NationStates Jolt Archive

Passport and Visa Act:

The General Assembly of the United Nations,

RECOGNISING the possible social problems arising from unchecked migration,

NOTING the potential security risks arising from being unable to accurately assess those entering and leaving a nation,

NOTING the variation in economic and technological development levels of nations within the United Nations,

FURTHER NOTING that nations around the world have different attitudes towards immigration policy,

RECOGNISING that nations may require foreign nationals in their borders to be in possession of a valid visa,

1. DEFINES a Passport as a travel document by the nation of which the person is a citizen, identifying the bearer as a national of that country,

2. DEFINES a entrance visa as a stamp or documentation issued by a nation, and placed whithin a Passport, that allows the bearer entry into that nation for as long as the visa remains valid,

3. AFFIRMS the rights of nations to set their own migration policies,

4. MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by the relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other citizen status, when travelling abroad, except where deemed unneccessary through the existance of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement,

5. MANDATES that a Passport must have the following minimum information in English and all languages recognised by the issuing state:
a) Name, date of birth, gender, place of birth, nationality, citizenship status, height and distinguishing features of the holder;
b) A facial photograph or other accurate portrait of the holder’s face measuring at least 35mm by 45mm;
c) A unique passport number in both Arabic numerals, and if letters are used, Roman lettering along with any numeral and lettering system used in the issuing state;
d) Passport type;
e) Protections against the counterfeiting of Passports;
f) Adequate space for visas, and entry and exit stamps;

6. AFFIRMS that the passport entitles the holder to any of the Consular services available from their nation's Embassies, Consulates, Consulates-General and Legations as they may require,

7. AFFIRMS that any person, who holds citizenship in a nation within the United Nations, carrying a valid passport and visa cannot be denied entry to a nation, except where the security of that nation is at stake,

8. CALLS UPON all nations to recognise the passports of citizens from nations whithin the United Nations,

9. URGES all nations to make available the following entrance visa classes for foreign nationals at their Embassies and Consulates-General:
a) Diplomat, entitling the holder to the standard diplomatic immunities in the nation for a stated period of time. This can only be issued to persons carrying a diplomatic passport;
b) Work, permitting the holder to be employed in the nation for a stated period of time;
c) Tourist, permitting the holder into the country and prohibiting their employment for a stated period of time;

10. AFFIRMS that nations may issue further classes of visas as appropriate, including migratory visas and exit visas, as they see fit,

11. AFFIRMS that nations may impose restrictions as to who are entitled to visas, except when such restriction violate the United Nations' antidescrimination resolutions,

12. MANDATES that all immigration and other relevent officials have a basic grounding in the English Language,

13. MANDATES the publication of all Passport and Visa designs (including information about counterfeit protections), to be made available to all relevent officials.

14. CALLS FOR the eradication of Arctocephalinae

Well, what do you think?

EDIT: New stuff in bold

I see one major problem with this. There have been many cases in the real world when someone (or some group of someones) has wanted to acquire a passport/visa in order to leave their country, but that country refused to issue them one because the country in which the someone(s) lived was oppressive (which was the reason for wanting the passport/visa, to escape). How do you plan to deal with that, considering it could effectively legally trap people under oppression?

I would consider that out of the scope of this resolution; I just want some standards for passports and basic rights of holders

Personally, I think, due to the problem I mentioned, passports/visas, if they are to exist, should be issued at birth and updated as you age... that way everyone has one.

I'd fear, though, if that was included it would become almost an ID card resolution

Personally, I think, due to the problem I mentioned, passports/visas, if they are to exist, should be issued at birth and updated as you age... that way everyone has one.

Just to make sure we're all together on terms...

A passport is a document issued by the country of which the person is a citizen, identifying him/her as a national of that country.

There are two general types of visa:

An entry visa (the most common type) is issued by the country the person wants to visit, giving permission to enter the country.

An exit visa (used by relatively few RL countries) is issued by the person's home country or the country in which he is currently present, giving permission to leave the country.

Lorelei M. Ahlmann
Ambassador-at-Large

MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by the relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other citizen status, when travelling abroad
There may be nations or blocs of nations that do not require their citizens to carry passports when traveling between them. An NS example would be my region. An RL example would be the U.S.A. and Canada. There is a time limit after which one must apply for resident alien status, or a student visa, green card etc.. You might add a line making allowance for those situations.

I like this proposal.

Now reads:

...when travelling abroad, except where deemed unneccessary through the existance of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement

i had reserved judgement on this until now. whilst i applaude you taking a view on this that could appeal to NatSov, i am worried about it turning into an ID or SmartCard, a la a big brother situation. i dont look at this from a nation's view but an individual's view. maybe cut the info down to name, DoB, Country Issued in, Citizen status, and maybe height, and it should be limited to that. also, the prevention of any SmartCard type technology should be included too

I think this looks good. I'll comment more later when I'm less crapped out. Have you compared it to Passport Harmonization?

The proposal is, on the whole, a good one. However, there are a few notable problems:


AFFIRMS that any person carrying a valid passport and visa cannot be denied entry to a nation, except where the security of the nation is at stake


The problem with this is, there are nations who do not recognise one another's sovereignty. [IRL, you can't enter South Korea on a Cuban passport, nor Saudi Arabia on an Israeli one] Your resolution would make it mandatory for them to revise their foreign policy, and grant entrance to nationals from countries they either do not recognise or have severed links with.

Also, what is the definition of a "valid" passport? One genuinely issued by the nation in question? Or one approved by the "international community"? If the latter, how would that be decided? If the former, that would mean any entity unilaterally declaring itself sovereign and issuing passports would have to be recognised [IRL, this would mean recognising Sealand passports, for example, though for all I know that may already be the case...]


MANDATES that all nations must make available the following entrance visa classes for foreign nationals at their Embassies and Consulates-General:
1. Diplomat, entitling the holder to the standard diplomatic immunities in the nation for a stated period of time. This can only be issued to persons carrying a diplomatic passport.
2. Work, permitting the holder to be employed in the nation for a stated period of time
3. Tourist, permitting the holder into the country and prohibiting their employment for a stated period of time


What if a nation does not wish to have foreign workers or foreign tourists enter? This isn't Ariddia's case, but it's conceivable for some nations. I'm sure those would find a loophole (for example, saying you have to apply for your visa thirty-five years before your intended trip and go through nonsensically complex procedures, all for a maximum one-day permit...), but are you sure you want to compel all UN nations to accept foreign workers and tourists?

Other than that, I disagree with those who fear this resolution may entail a breach of privacy. I see no grounds for such concern.


Christelle Zyryanov,
Ambassador to the United Nations,
PDSRA

Passport and Visa Act:
Well, what do you think?

Looks fine to me. Though I'm unsure about this:
MANDATES that all nations must make available the following entrance visa classes for foreign nationals at their Embassies and Consulates-General:
1. Diplomat, entitling the holder to the standard diplomatic immunities in the nation for a stated period of time. This can only be issued to persons carrying a diplomatic passport.
2. Work, permitting the holder to be employed in the nation for a stated period of time
3. Tourist, permitting the holder into the country and prohibiting their employment for a stated period of time

Is it really necessary to legislate that detailed? I would prefer something like "STRONGLY URGES all nations to make available appropriate entrance visa classes for diplomats, labourers and tourists"

Furthermore, the dots on the i's: end all phrases in ",", and the numbered lists (eg the passport information) in ";". It also helps to number the executive clauses for clarity. So:

1. AFFIRMS the rights of nations to set their own migration policies,

2. MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by the relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other citizen status, when travelling abroad, except where deemed unneccessary through the existance of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement,

3. MANDATES that a Passport must have the following minimum information:
- Name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, citizenship status, height and distinguishing features of the holder;
- A facial photograph or other accurate portrait of the holder’s face measuring at least 35mm by 45mm;
- A unique passport number;
- Passport type;
- Protections against the counterfeiting of Passports;
- Adequate space for visas, and entry and exit stamps,

etc

RECOGNISING the possible social problems arising from unchecked migration,

Fine. (I've always thought it was a shame we didn't have this in NS...but that's of no consequence.)

NOTING the security risks arising from being unable to accurately assess those entering and leaving a nation

Maybe stick in a 'potential' to water it down? We're never (at Gruenberger, and I'd assume Cobdenian, tech levels) going to be able to fully assess them.

NOTING the variation in economic and technological development levels of nations within the United Nations

Clearly. But how is this actually relevant? Your proposal doesn't seem to accommodate them, especially.

FURTHER NOTING that nations around the world have different attitudes towards immigration policy

Agreed.

RECOGNISING that nations may require foreign nationals in their borders to be in possession of a valid visa

Is it worth defining 'visa' at any point? But otherwise, I can't see a problem with this.

AFFIRMS the rights of nations to set their own migration policies

Well, I obviously support this. There are no existing resolutions that cross swords with this, are there?

MANDATES that all citizens carry a Passport issued by the relevant nation in which they hold citizenship or other citizen status, when travelling abroad, except where deemed unneccessary through the existance of bilateral and multilateral border control agreement

This is why I feel a resolution defining citizenship would be a( possibly unworkable)n idea. I don't understand the need for 'relevant nation'. But otherwise fine.

MANDATES that a Passport must have the following minimum information:

1. Name, date of birth, place of birth, nationality, citizenship status, height and distinguishing features of the holder
2. A facial photograph or other accurate portrait of the holder’s face measuring at least 35mm by 45mm
3. A unique passport number
4. Passport type
5. Protections against the counterfeiting of Passports
6. Adequate space for visas, and entry and exit stamps

All seems in Ordnung. I'm tended to raise species who don't have faces...but that's probably needless complication. Also, we don't need to put down sex? And what about children...in the UK we can get put on an adult's passport up to 16 (or 18, I forget). Are we ruling that out?

AFFIRMS that the passport entitles the holder to any of the Consular services available from their nation's Embassies, Consulates, Consulates-General and Legations as they may require.

Ok. 'As they may require' sounds a bit carte blanche, though: presumably embassies et al. still retain the right to refuse services based on certain circumstances?

AFFIRMS that any person carrying a valid passport and visa cannot be denied entry to a nation, except where the security of the nation is at stake

'security of the nation' is hopelessly vague...so I like that. Are there no other legitimate reasons for denying access? Suspecting someone of being involved in criminal activity that wouldn't lead to a threat to national security, but would be all naughty-like, for example?

MANDATES that all nations must make available the following entrance visa classes for foreign nationals at their Embassies and Consulates-General:
1. Diplomat, entitling the holder to the standard diplomatic immunities in the nation for a stated period of time. This can only be issued to persons carrying a diplomatic passport.
2. Work, permitting the holder to be employed in the nation for a stated period of time
3. Tourist, permitting the holder into the country and prohibiting their employment for a stated period of time

AFFIRMS that nations may issue further classes of visas as appropriate

Fine.

AFFIRMS that nations may impose restrictions as to who are entitled to visas

Presumably you need to affirm that that is subject to UN and national and other anti-discrimination legislation. Otherwise, that's obviously good.

----

I don't have much positive to add, but I do like this.

Also, we don't need to put down sex? And what about children...in the UK we can get put on an adult's passport up to 16 (or 18, I forget). Are we ruling that out?

Children would complicate things, but thanks for reminding me about sex.

Is it worth defining 'visa' at any point? But otherwise, I can't see a problem with this.

Good Idea.

I don't understand the need for 'relevant nation'
Dual nationals

Ok. 'As they may require' sounds a bit carte blanche, though: presumably embassies et al. still retain the right to refuse services based on certain circumstances?
Yes, if they feel they don't require it!

'security of the nation' is hopelessly vague...so I like that. Are there no other legitimate reasons for denying access? Suspecting someone of being involved in criminal activity that wouldn't lead to a threat to national security, but would be all naughty-like, for example?
We hope that most other reason why you would refuse admission (such as criminal activity) would be picked up when they buy a visa.

Presumably you need to affirm that that is subject to UN and national and other anti-discrimination legislation.
Good point

By the way, check Ausserland's proposal on the UNOG forum.

Urm...whats the name of the alphabet we use in English and French and other western Eurooean Languages?

Urm...whats the name of the alphabet we use in English and French and other western Eurooean Languages?

The Roman alphabet.

Doesn't matter; easier just to say that they have to have the information in English!

Doesn't matter; easier just to say that they have to have the information in English!

That would make sense, since that is the language of diplomacy in the UN. ;)

What about cultures who insist on their women (or their men) wearing veils in public? Are passports with photos of veiled faces to be considered acceptable? ;-)

What about cultures who insist on their women (or their men) wearing veils in public? Are passports with photos of veiled faces to be considered acceptable? ;-)

Oh nooooo...

IC: No

OoC: They ain't in real life

Doesn't matter; easier just to say that they have to have the information in English!

Het cultureel imperialisme van het Federalistische establishment is werkelijk schandalig! Schande!

~Aram Koopman

Maar u moet het oorspronkelijke voorstel te posten dat begrepen hebben antwoord, dus cultureel imperialisme schijnt goed te zijn. In tegenstelling tot babelfish vertaler

That made very little sense, but it was fairly amusing.

~Aram Koopman

http://img173.imageshack.us/img173/9611/crad44wu.png

c) A unique passport number in both Arabic numerals and any numeral system used in the issuing state;

Don't all nations use Arabic numerals (ie 1,2,3)

No. Arabic nations don't.

Odd, I know.

Plus, there are many nations that may have their own individual number systems, plus there may be nations that use Roman Numerals

The identification number should be printed in both the issuing country's standardized numerical form, and, if applicable, the official numerical system of the United Nations.

Also, there should be a provision about such cases where the country where the citizen resides can request a "asylum visa" which disregards their current citizenship and grants them special citizenship status in the recieving government.

Maar u moet het oorspronkelijke voorstel te posten dat begrepen hebben antwoord, dus cultureel imperialisme schijnt goed te zijn. In tegenstelling tot babelfish vertaler
"But you must have understood it original proposal to post that answer, therefore cultural imperialisme seems be well. In contrast to babelfish translator."

The identification number should be printed in both the issuing country's standardized numerical form, and, if applicable, the official numerical system of the United Nations.

Also, there should be a provision about such cases where the country where the citizen resides can request a "asylum visa" which disregards their current citizenship and grants them special citizenship status in the recieving government.

My logic behind the numbering thing was that were would be no standardised form, other than consisting of numbers and letters, so that there would be more variation. With the huge amounts of nations, and a huge population in the UN, each country having it's own system would lead to infinite numbers available altogether, with a finite number available in each nation.

Asylum is a different issue. In RL you don't have visas. Your supposed to shew your passport or other form of identity in the first nation you come to and claim asylum.

True, but with NationStates we have the opportunity to form standards that follow our own rules as opposed to using RL rules.

Both printed ID's would be identical numbers, but one would be printed using the Nation's numerical representation format, and the other using the UN's standardized numerical representation format.

You see, you can still have unlimited number of ID's/Passports while still maintaining the finite within a country by simply appending a Nation ID/Code to the beginning of each number in the UN's global identification database.

For example, if The Free Land of Taobh Tire has an ID Code of 001, and the citizen has a Taobh Tiran ID number of XXXVII, the passport would display the ID as:

Identification Number: XXXVII (37)

Both in Taobh Tire's native Roman Numeral format, and in parentheses using the standard arabic system the UN would use (although another resolution should declare this system at a later date). Then, in the UN database they would simply reference that person with ID # 001-37... Country Code - ID #

This is identical to how many companies manage employee ID's. Country Code - Region Code - Employee ID (01-24-382). This is also sort of how RL Vehicle Identification Numbers work.

I don't want to make things unneccesarily complicated.

And a list of numbers for every country would require enormous beaurocracy. Everyone would be fighting for number one. You couldn't do it alphabetically because you'd have to change the numbers every time a new member comes...

I don't want to make things unneccesarily complicated.

And a list of numbers for every country would require enormous beaurocracy. Everyone would be fighting for number one. You couldn't do it alphabetically because you'd have to change the numbers every time a new member comes...

True. Actually, the system of having numerical codes for denoting countries and regions comes from an age where we hadn't the computer power necessary to handle using abritrary strings for identification. You could instead simply use the country's name.

For ID # XXXVII (37) in Taobh Tire, the UN officials and officials from other nations could simply use Taobh Tire/37 to look up the data. An example implementation could be to use XML files to store data about the individual (crime records, financial records, etc) in a filesystem... where /Country/Id is the file.

That would be a much simpler methodology, would it not? And it would allow an extensible system in which any data could be stored in reference to that ID #, if approved by future UN resolutions.

And as far as complication about the numbers, we already have a system like that IRL with the phone system. Nobody seems to complain that the USA is country code 1.

Your supposed to shew your passport or other form of identity in the first nation you come to and claim asylum.

I realize this, however you must realize this is not an ideal system, and the world would really benefit from a system such as that which I described.

Well, you've got remember that many nations don't have computers at all. I would have thought the name of the country on the front of passport would be enough...

I realize this, however you must realize this is not an ideal system, and the world would really benefit from a system such as that which I described.

The problem with your idea is that it assumes that there is a an Embassy of a neighbouring nation, which isn't always the case.

Well, you've got remember that many nations don't have computers at all. I would have thought the name of the country on the front of passport would be enough...

The name of the country on the front of the passport is enough for identifying which country the person is from, yes. I wasn't disputing that. I was simply clarifiying a method with which data could be stored and retrieved. The UN-ified and the Nation-localized ID numbers need to represent the same number, thats all I was saying. For countries who do not have computers (of which there are very few even in the real world), they can call the social services department of the country from which the person is from to obtain information, by using the same IDs. Also, we are not speaking of real-world countries here, and so for all intents and purposes the countries which we will effect do indeed possess computers. If you disagree, then perhaps a resolution should first be written to allow UN-assistance to countries lacking computer technology in their immigration departments and embassies.

The problem with your idea is that it assumes that there is a an Embassy of a neighbouring nation, which isn't always the case.

This doesn't assume anything at all. An asylum visa could be requested by an "illegal immigrant", at which point they would be allowed a temporary and highly restrictive visa which would allow them to stay in the country under supervision within certain limits for the duration of their asylum visa application processing.

I think the wording of section 5. c) is just fine as is. There's no need to go into any greater detail than that.

Well, Cobdenia is in 1930. Saying give them computers will be tantamount to saying everyone must be MT, which will kind of spoil the game.

As for Asylum, I think that is really out of the scope of the resolution...

Well, Cobdenia is in 1930. Saying give them computers will be tantamount to saying everyone must be MT, which will kind of spoil the game.

As for Asylum, I think that is really out of the scope of the resolution...

In which case they wouldn't be using numerical identifiers anyway and would indeed use abitrary strings for sorting. My storage system applies whether the issuing/participating countries use computers or not.

Its ok, do what you wish, it is after all your resolution. I just figured I'd offer my 2 airgeads. If you wish me to shutup, let me know.

Oh, and asylum would fall under social services/migration services, and would thus be covered under this resolution.

I just personally think that Asylum would be best served as a seperate resolution; and that it would best for each nation to devise their own system. :)

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