Canadian passport continues to top US passport in latest global ranking

Global citizenship and residence advisory firm Henley & Partners has published its latest passport index, with the Canadian passport once again ranking among the world’s top 10 most powerful travel documents.

In the latest Henley Passport Index, released 22 July, Canada ranks in the eighth position, sharing the spot with the UAE and Estonia.

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The Henley Passport Index uses exclusive information from the International Air Transport Association, and ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without a prior visa.

As per the latest ranking, Canadian passport holders can visit 184 countries, without prior visa.

How does Canada compare with previous rankings?

The Canadian passport slipped a position compared to January 2025 when it ranked in the seventh place, and granted access to 188 destinations without prior visa.

Despite this, the Canadian passport continued to beat out the US passport, which fell to the 10th position. When the Canadian passport beat out the US passport in January 2025, it marked the first time since the company started publishing the Index in 2006.

The US is now on the verge of falling out of the top 10 passport rankings altogether – for the first time in the Index’s 20-year history.

What are the most powerful passports in the world?

According to the latest Henley Index, Singapore topped the chart, offering its passport holders access to 193 destinations.

Japan and South Korea tied in second place, offering access to 190 countries.

There was a seven-way tie for third-place amongst European nations Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, and Spain. These countries offer their passport holders visa-free access to 189 destinations.

Henley & Partners stated that India has recorded the largest jump in rankings over the past six months, climbing from the 85th position to the 77th position, by adding two more destinations to its list of visa-free destinations.

Saudi Arabia has made the biggest gain in visa-free access, having added four more destinations since January.

On the flip side, the UK and the US continue to follow a downward trend, both dropping a spot since January 2025.

The passports with the largest fall over the last decade are Venezuela (which dropped 15 positions), followed by the US (down eight positions), Vanuatu (six positions), the UK (five) and Canada (four spots).

About the Canadian passport

In addition to offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries, the Canadian passport also streamlines re-entry into Canada, making travel more convenient and efficient.

Many Canadians acquire citizenship automatically, either by being born in Canada, or through descent from Canadian parents.

Naturalized Canadian citizens, on the other hand, must first become permanent residents and reside in Canada for at least three years before being eligible to apply for citizenship.

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