why do we need to have identity documents or passports to travel abroad?
365301
I always thought the purpose of showing your passport was to get the nifty-looking stickers, visas and paper stamps from Passport Control.  Then, when people ask, "What countries have you visited?" you can whip out your passport and show them the lovely assortment of stickers, visas and paper stamps you have.  Oh, and Shame! on the boring countries for giving nothing but an ink stamp.  Losers!  Makes my passport look lackluster.
668170
It's cause we have a sense of humor.\n\nThey used to not let us leave the Rez, maybe that's part of it.  But they said this in that movie Smoke Signals, huh?  It was a joke.  The rez is different than the rest of the country, so you might as well have a passport if you are leaving it to go travel.
743039
Your passport is issued by the country you originate from and has your details connecting you to that country and is your proof of connection to that country.  They are usually issued for about 10 years.\n\nA visa is as a result of your request to visit another country.  You apply to a foreign office or consulate belonging to the country you want to visit for permission to go there and they issue you with a Visa which is your permission to visit.\n\nThe passport is issued by your own country to identify you as belonging there and the Visa is issued by another country to give you permission to travel to that country.\n\nIs that clear?
294531
If you're an EU national, you need a passport or a national identity card to enter another EU country.  If you are British, as we have no identity card (yet!) you have to have a passport.  If you're not an EU citizen, you have to have a passport, and might need a visa.
141574
Well, I'm in Mexico as I write this, and I'm returning after March 1st.  I was told I didn't have to have a passport to return (I certainly didn't need it to get down here), so I'm definitely hoping you don't have to have one.  \n\nGo to http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html and do a little research.\n\nEDIT 3.6.06:\n\nWell, I'm back and with no birth certificate.  Sailed through with no problems.  Good ol' USA.
59870
Most countries require you to have a passport and work card (forgot the name of it) when you enter their country and apply for work.  if you work in Canada, you can check I am authorized to work in this country for any employer" since you are a citizen of that country.
93612
A will, a living will, a social security number, a passport, and a driver's licence.  Birth certificate is important but if you have the others it is sort of taken care of.
181556
No visa required if you are going for tourism, and have a machine-readable passport with biometrics.\n\n(Some of the above depends on when the passport was issued.  You should check the website of the US Embassy in the UK or the State Department in the US.)
809451
Hello. I am a frequent traveler. The law is that as of now some people and us citizens could travel in and out of the us without a passport or visa. now you must have a passport to get back. \n\nthey are good for ten years and better id than even a drivers license so you can use it for other purposes. \n\nyou can apply for one at the post office and any county clerks.\n\nhttp://travel.state.gov/
1140768
A citizen of a foreign country, wishing to enter the U.S., generally must first obtain a visa, either a nonimmigrant visa for temporary stay, or an immigrant visa for permanent residence. The type of visa you must have is defined by immigration law, and relates to the purpose of your travel. If your destination is the U.S., please see our e-Jourmal US.\nA passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue or verify United States passports.
192323
I am from puerto rico and do not need a passport to travel from puerto rico to united states. a passport is needed if I travel to europe or greece. puerto rico is more similiar to united states than people think. everything we have here in united states, we have there.  walmart, sams, taco bell, burger king. if you ever visit, you will not be so out of place except for the language barrier-if you dont speak spanish. lol
928322
passport must.visa depends on nationality.check both high comn
807582
I'm sorry I can't answer your question very well but I know that there are states out there that do.  In North Carolina, for example, you have to prove residency and identity.  It would be really hard, almost impossible, in fact, to have the items on their list of accepted documents unless you are legally in the country.  If you weren't born in the US or Canada then you have to have multiple things like valid passports and school records.
120090
you have to get a passport from your own country.  Do you have a passport to be in the US?
776064
Yes, each person needs to have their own passport.
676213
I heard that in Australia and US (I think, 2 countries that use ID cards anyway) there is a much higher rate of identity theft, because all someone would need to steal your identity is one card instead of having to go through loads of bills etc. to get all your details. I think it's the most stupid idea and you'll probably end up having to have an ID card to prove who you are in order to get an ID card, or you'll need a passport, driving licence or some other such thing that not everybody has.\n\nThen again if they introduced them and someone stole the identity of someone like the prime minister and got all his money then they'd just see how silly an idea it was.
643166
Free movement of people is one of the fundamental pillars of the European Union (along with free movement of labor, goods, and capital).  That means citizens can, as a rule, travel across the national boundaries without even stopping at a border.  (Therefore, passports are not necessarily required, though they're desirable as identification.)  There are important exceptions, though.\n\nAny EU country can opt to reinstitute border checks if the country has a legitimate security reason for doing so.  For example, France and other countries briefly reinstituted border checks shortly after the London subway bombings.\n\nAlso, because some newer EU members have high unemployment (even compared to EU members), some of the EU states nearest the new members are permitted to refuse work visas for unskilled workers coming from the new EU states -- at least temporarily.  Some EU states recently dropped these, but others that border the new members still have that restriction.  That means the new member citizens can visit without a problem, but they will not be allowed to come in and take jobs.