Mobility in a globalised world: How countries regulate mobility with passports and visas

Abstract

Citizenship has a significant impact on migrants' freedom to travel. While citizens of the Global North can travel without major problems, citizens of the Global South have to queue at consulates to obtain a visa before they can travel. They may have to wait in long queues at the border or at the airport, where they may be subjected to unpleasant interrogations. The aim of this article is to uncover how a passport becomes powerful or weak depending on the country that issues it, and what impact this has on the (geographical and professional) mobility of passport holders. We explore why some countries impose visa restrictions while others allow visa-free travel. We interviewed 32 people who had travelled on a number of occasions for professional reasons or as tourists. The externalities created by visa regulations may lead to an increase in the number of alternative destinations in lockstep, even if countries' policies remain unchanged. This study has critical policy implications for both source and destination countries.