Canada’s Passport Ranked 8th Globally in 2026 Update
Canada Ranks 8th on the 2026 List of the World’s Most Powerful Passports
Great news for Canadians who love to travel! According to the newly released 2026 Henley Passport Index, the Canadian passport continues to hold strong, ranking as the 8th most powerful passport in the world. That means Canadian citizens can travel to 181 destinations around the globe without needing a visa. Not too shabby, eh?
Let’s take a closer look at what this ranking means, how Canada compares to other countries, and what it takes to get your hands on one of these globally respected travel documents.
Key Highlights
- Canada ranks 8th on the 2026 Henley Passport Index with visa-free access to 181 destinations.
- The Canadian passport is stronger than the U.S. passport, which sits at 10th place.
- Singapore tops the list with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
- 29 of the top-ranking passports come from Europe, showcasing strong regional mobility.
- Canada shares its rank with Iceland and Lithuania.
- The Henley Passport Index ranks 199 passports based on exclusive IATA data.
Why the Canadian Passport Is So Powerful
Every year, Henley & Partners releases a passport index that ranks the world’s passports based on how many countries their holders can visit without needing a visa in advance. For Canadians, 2026 is another year to celebrate — our passport holds steady in the global top 10.
Canada’s passport allows visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 destinations, placing it in a tie for 8th place with Iceland and Lithuania. That means spontaneous travel is easier, less paperwork is involved, and it’s just one more reason why Canadian citizenship is considered so valuable.
How Canada Compares to Other Countries
This year’s rankings saw Singapore retain its #1 spot, offering access to an incredible 192 countries without a visa. Coming in second are Japan and South Korea, both with 188 visa-free destinations.
Here’s how the rest of the top 10 shakes out:
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Japan, South Korea | 188 |
| 3 | Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland | 186 |
| 4 | Austria, Belgium, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Netherlands, Norway | 185 |
| 5 | Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, UAE | 184 |
| 6 | Croatia, Czechia, Estonia, Malta, New Zealand, Poland | 183 |
| 7 | Australia, Latvia, Liechtenstein, UK | 182 |
| 8 | Canada, Iceland, Lithuania | 181 |
| 9 | Malaysia | 180 |
| 10 | United States | 179 |
Notably, Canada came in ahead of the United States, which landed in 10th place despite a recent history of ranking higher. In fact, the U.S. passport once held the top spot back in 2014.
What’s Behind the Rankings?
The rankings are based on data collected by the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and analyzed by Henley & Partners. Each passport gets a “visa score”, which reflects the number of destinations accessible without a traditional visa.
That includes places offering visa-free entry, visas on arrival, visitor permits, and entry through electronic systems like Canada’s own electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Countries requiring any kind of pre-arranged visa don’t count towards that score — which is why these rankings are such a good indicator of real global mobility.
How the Canadian Passport Has Performed Over Time
Throughout 2025, Canada bounced around the top 10. In January, it held 7th place, slipped to 8th by July, and briefly dipped to 9th by October. But with the 2026 update, we’re back to 8th — right where we were mid-last year. That’s a solid comeback!
And let’s not forget: while rankings can shift slightly year over year, the Canadian passport consistently remains one of the most desirable travel documents worldwide.
Thinking of Getting Your Canadian Passport?
If you’re a Canadian citizen, applying for a passport is a pretty straightforward process. Whether you were born in Canada, became naturalized, or inherited citizenship by descent, you’re eligible to apply.
In fact, a recent change to Canadian law — Bill C-3, passed in December 2025 — expanded eligibility to thousands more people by removing the “first-generation limit” for citizenship by descent.
Not sure if you qualify? There’s now an online tool that can help determine if you’re eligible to claim Canadian citizenship through your parents or grandparents. If so, you can apply for proof of citizenship and then proceed to grab your passport.
What You’ll Need to Apply
You can apply for your Canadian passport in person at a Service Canada office or by mail. Here’s a quick checklist:
- The completed application form (PPTC 153)
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (like a birth certificate or citizenship certificate)
- Valid photo ID (e.g., a foreign passport or driver’s license)
- Two identical passport photos
- A guarantor and two references
Processing times vary, but if you apply in person at a Service Canada office, you could have your passport in as little as 10 business days.
Final Thoughts
It’s something many of us take for granted, but the Canadian passport is truly one of the best in the world. With visa-free access to 181 countries and territories, it opens doors — literally — around the globe. Whether you’re planning a backpacking trip across Europe, a beach getaway in the Caribbean, or a business meeting in Asia, that little blue booklet is your golden ticket.
Ready to see if you’re eligible for Canadian citizenship and get your passport? Start by checking your eligibility through our citizenship by descent tool or browse our step-by-step guide on how to apply for a Canadian passport.
Explore the benefits of Canadian citizenship and how to apply today.
And if you’re planning to settle in Manitoba and want to explore pathways to immigration, don’t forget to check out our Manitoba PNP points calculator for more information!
