The Canadian passport ranked eighth in the world in terms of power and influence
The country is losing ground to Asian and European nations but still remains ahead of the United States.
Canada maintains a strong position in the global passport rankings, securing eighth place according to the 2026 Henley Index. The Canadian passport provides visa-free access or visa-on-arrival to 181 countries, placing it alongside Iceland and Lithuania.
Notably, Ontario and other Canadian provinces can take pride in the fact that their passport outranks the American one in the global mobility rankings.
Ranking Methodology
The index is developed by London-based consulting firm Henley & Partners, which specializes in global citizenship matters. The calculations are based on data from the International Air Transport Association, covering 227 countries and territories worldwide.
Basile Mor-Elzeki, managing partner of the company, explained that the ranking is based on a simple count of destinations accessible without prior visa arrangements. The methodology distinguishes between completely visa-free access and visas obtained upon entry.
According to Mor-Elzeki, visa-free access means going through customs without any formalities, while visa-on-arrival requires submitting an application directly at the airport.
A Critical View of Rankings
Randall Hansen, Canadian Research Chair in Global Migration at the University of Toronto, urges caution when interpreting such rankings. He notes that the index essentially measures visa restrictions imposed by wealthy countries, rather than the full scope of mobility rights.
"What this actually measures is the number of visa requirements that a particular passport faces. So the ranking will always be like this: rich countries with good passports and poor countries with bad passports"
The expert emphasizes that the ranking doesn't account for the right to live and work abroad, which is a more significant indicator of mobility. As an example, Hansen points to European Union passports, which grant the right to work in 27 countries—an advantage not reflected in the index.
Canada's Position Over Time
The Canadian passport has performed better in the past. In 2014, it ranked second globally, demonstrating the country's strong diplomatic standing. Over the past decade, its position has weakened slightly, though Canada continues to remain in the top ten.
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Mor-Elzeki attributes this decline to less activity in concluding bilateral agreements and a more cautious approach to visa policy. He noted that Canada offers visa-free entry to only 54 countries, while competitors show greater openness, which affects reciprocity in visa relations.
Hansen adds that Canada traditionally maintains some of the highest visa fees in the world. He calls this system regressive, pointing out that the $80 Canadian dollar fee is insignificant for wealthy citizens but creates a serious barrier for young people and students.
Room for Improvement
According to experts, Canada could improve its ranking if it wanted to. Hansen argues that reducing visa requirements and expanding the list of safe countries of origin could quickly change the situation.
Nevertheless, the researcher concludes: Canadians have "a good passport, but not the best."
Global Leaders and Laggards
The top spots in the ranking are traditionally held by Asian countries. Singapore leads with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea with 188 countries.
European nations dominate the rest of the top rankings:
- Third place: Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland (186 destinations)
- Fourth place: ten European countries, including France, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands (185 destinations)
- Fifth place: Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, and the UAE (184 destinations)
The United Arab Emirates showed the most impressive progress over the index's 20-year history, climbing 57 positions by adding 149 visa-free destinations.
The US ranks tenth with 182 destinations, returning to the top ten after briefly dropping out in late 2025. The UK shares seventh place but showed the most significant decline, losing access to eight countries over the year.
At the bottom of the ranking is Afghanistan with access to just 24 destinations, followed by Syria and Iraq. The gap between the strongest and weakest passports is 168 countries.
Mor-Elzeki expresses optimism about the future, noting that many mid-tier countries recognize the importance of strengthening their passport for international business development and citizen mobility.
