Canadian Passport Power Slips in Global Rankings
The Canadian passport—once a symbol of elite passport power—continues its slow descent in global rankings, reflecting a shift in international travel dynamics. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Canada now ranks eighth, tied with Estonia and the UAE, down one position from earlier this year.
With visa-free access to 184 destinations out of 227, the Canadian passport remains strong—but it’s no longer among the top five as it was a decade ago. As the world grows more interconnected, Canada is now one of several traditional powers feeling the pressure from rising global competitors.
Four-Point Slide Over the Past Decade
The Henley Passport Index, which evaluates 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), shows that Canada has lost four points since 2014. That means Canadians can visit four fewer countries visa-free today than they could a decade ago.
While one point may seem minor in the short term, the trend suggests a broader erosion of influence in international mobility. In fact, Canada shares this trajectory with countries like the U.S., U.K., Venezuela, and Vanuatu, all of which have experienced some of the sharpest score declines since the beginning of 2025.
Global Shift: Rising Economies, Falling Legacies
Henley & Partners, which manages the index, ties these trends to deeper geopolitical changes. Their latest report states, “Traditional mobility champions are losing ground in an increasingly multipolar world.”
Emerging nations are actively liberalizing visa rules, expanding diplomatic ties, and investing in international partnerships. In contrast, legacy powers—including Canada, the U.S., and the U.K.—appear to be growing more restrictive, potentially retreating from the open policies that once gave their passports top-tier status.
U.S. and U.K. Also Drop in the Rankings
The United Kingdom and United States have also slid down the global passport leaderboard. The U.K. fell to sixth place, while the U.S. slipped to tenth—dangerously close to dropping out of the top ten for the first time in the index’s 20-year history.
These changes mark a stark contrast to 2014 and 2015, when the U.S. and U.K. topped the list, respectively. Since then, increasing travel restrictions and shifting political climates have eroded their relative advantage.
Asia-Pacific Emerges as a Travel Powerhouse
Meanwhile, Asia-Pacific nations are dominating the global passport game. Singapore, Japan, and South Korea currently occupy the top three spots, offering visa-free access to the greatest number of destinations.
Supporting this surge is a regional boom in air travel. From January to May 2025, global air traffic rose by 5.8%, while Asia-Pacific airlines outperformed the global average with a 9.5% increase. This trend underscores the region’s growing influence on global mobility.
Passport Power Now Reflects Diplomatic Strength
According to Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, passports today signal more than just travel convenience—they represent a nation’s diplomatic strength and geopolitical relationships.
“In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty,” Steffen said, “strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.”
The Canadian passport may still be among the world’s best—but its slipping rank reflects a more competitive, evolving global order.
Stay tuned to Maple Wire for the latest on global travel, mobility, and international rankings.
