Canada is the same thing, online or in person. Though they've removed the profession requirement in the last couple decades (but it was more restrictive back then, it was basically: lawyer, someone with a PhD, or an engineer).

What do these professions have in common? Requirement for a government-issued license?

What's the definition of "Knows you"?

Like, met several times a year, or the biblical "knows you"?

It's almost like national boundaries were designed to control the movements of the poor, but not the rich.

Must just be my imagination, though.

photographer - professional

I have taken photos! If you pay me for one does that make me professional?

Same for Canada in certain cases. Generally considered trustworthy or certified.

Wild that dentist doesn't have any restrictions but doctor does.

I see the next chapter in the FlyingSquid saga has started.

As a paramedic I feel deeply offended that we are not on that list but nurses are. Travel agents,okay. But nurses? The insult!

I mean the list is 50% weird and 50% sensible. I think the idea is that there's someone most people will know that are in "trustworthy" professions/positions. Although, professional photographer. Not really sure they would be in a more trustworthy position than any other job.

Going to say, I think most of us here either used to pay their GP whatever fixed fee they had. But they've taken that option away. Apparently the profession complained. I don't get that. I mean they by definition know you the requisite amount of time. They literally need to sign that is the case and take your money. But, there we go.

I do luckily have a few friends that are solicitors/barristers. So I generally just ask one of them, and it's only once every 10 years so..

sounds like poor people can't leave the country? Wtf that's a human rights violation wrapped in a lot of special red tape

Had the same requirement to get Australian citizenship. It wasn't easy since most of the people I knew were mostly temporary residents/non-citizens too, and my occupation isn't on the list so coworkers are out the running.

Me getting my identity verified by Nigel the porno photographer because he's an upstanding gentleman

"Yeah, I'd know that asshole anywhere"

Fire services and police both present. Paramedics absent. Suspicious.

Have the same thing in Australia. Not passport but I returned after years overseas and I think I was applying for a tax file number (or bank account, or both!)

I was just really lucky my father had an old family friend who wss a teacher to sign the paperwork

Similar in Ireland. Had my kids' passport applications co-signed by their school receptionist.

There's not one artistic profession on that list aside from photography.

president or secretary of a recognised organisation

What constitutes a “recognized organization”? That sounds rather open to interpretation…