Open border

An open border is a border that enables free movement of people between different jurisdictions with limited or no restrictions on movement. A border may be an open border due to intentional legislation allowing free movement of people across the border, or a border may be an open border due to lack of adequate enforcement or adequate supervision of the border. An example of the former is that between most member states of the European Union and European Free Trade Area, which allows free movement with very few restrictions. An example of the latter has been the border between India and Bangladesh, which is becoming controlled. The term "open borders" applies only to the flow of people, it does not refer to the flow of goods and services. However where an open borders policy exists, so does a free trade policy—but the converse is not necessarily or even usually true.

Different types of borders

To understand the arguments for and against open borders, it is necessary to have a basic understanding of the other types of borders available. These are: