Canada’s passport continues to rank among the most powerful in the world, placing eighth globally in 2026, according to the latest Henley Passport Index. The ranking puts Canada ahead of the United States, but outside the top tier dominated by Asian and European countries.
The Canadian passport, tied with Iceland and Lithuania, offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 destinations worldwide. The index is compiled by London-based citizenship advisory firm Henley & Partners using data from the International Air Transport Association, which tracks visa access across 227 countries and territories.
What the Henley Passport Index measures
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based solely on visa-free or visa-on-arrival access. It does not account for broader rights such as the ability to live, work, or settle abroad.
Basil Mohr-Elzeki, managing partner at Henley & Partners, said the index is designed to capture travel freedom rather than long-term mobility.
“It’s a simple numerical calculation,” Mohr-Elzeki said in an interview. “If you don’t need to apply for paperwork before travelling, that counts toward passport strength.”
The index also distinguishes between visa-free access and visas on arrival, though Mohr-Elzeki described the difference as procedural rather than substantive.
Why rankings don’t tell the full story
Experts caution that passport rankings should be read carefully. Randall Hansen, Canada research chair in global migration at the University of Toronto, said the index largely reflects visa policies set by wealthy countries.
“What this really measures is how many visa requirements a passport faces,” Hansen said. “That means rich countries tend to rank higher, while poorer countries rank lower.”
Hansen added that the index does not capture the most meaningful form of mobility: the right to live and work abroad.
European Union passports, he argued, offer greater practical freedom because they grant access to employment and residency across 27 countries. By comparison, visa-free travel often allows only short stays.
Canada’s position over time
Canada’s passport has remained consistently strong since the Henley Index began tracking rankings. It peaked at second place in 2014, reflecting broad visa-free access and strong diplomatic ties at the time.
Since then, Canada has remained within the top 10, though competition from European and Asian countries has intensified. Mohr-Elzeki attributed the decline to a more cautious approach to bilateral visa agreements.
“Reciprocity matters,” he said, noting that Canada allows visa-free entry to fewer countries than some competitors.
Hansen also pointed to Canada’s visa costs, which he described as regressive and more burdensome for younger or lower-income travellers.
How Canada could improve its ranking
Experts say Canada could improve its position if it chose to reduce visa requirements and expand safe-country designations. Hansen said changes could be implemented quickly if there were political will.
Despite slipping from earlier highs, both experts agreed Canada’s passport remains strong, even if it is no longer among the world’s elite.
Where other countries rank
Asian countries continue to dominate the top of the index. Singapore ranks first with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea tied for second with 188.
European nations fill much of the upper rankings. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland share third place, while France, Germany, Italy and the Netherlands are among ten countries tied for fourth.
The United Arab Emirates stands out as the biggest climber over the past two decades, rising 57 places since 2006 after expanding visa-free access through sustained diplomatic engagement.
The U.K. now ranks seventh after losing access to eight destinations over the past year. The U.S. sits 10th with visa-free access to 179 destinations, trailing Canada and 37 other countries.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan remains last with access to just 24 destinations, highlighting a growing global mobility gap of 168 countries between the strongest and weakest passports.
A strong passport, with limits
Experts agree that Canada’s passport still offers significant global access, but caution against equating visa-free travel with true freedom of movement.
Canadians, Hansen said, hold “a good passport, not the best,” and the distinction matters when discussing mobility, opportunity, and global inequality.
