Canada continues to hold a strong position among the world’s most powerful travel documents, according to the latest Henley Passport Index released on July 22. The Canadian passport now ranks eighth globally, tied with the United Arab Emirates and Estonia, granting holders visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations. While this reflects a slight drop from its January 2025 ranking of seventh place with 188 destinations, Canada still remains ahead of the United States.
The Henley Passport Index evaluates global passport strength using exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association. Its rankings are based on the number of countries passport holders can enter without a visa in advance. Despite its minor decline, the Canadian passport continues to outperform the American one, which has slipped to 10th place. This is a notable trend, as it marks the second consecutive report in which Canada outranks the U.S., a shift first seen in January 2025.
The United States, once consistently within the top tier, is now on the brink of exiting the global top ten for the first time since Henley & Partners began publishing the index in 2006. Analysts have observed a steady decline in the ranking of U.S. and U.K. passports over the past decade, attributed to changing diplomatic relationships and fewer recent visa waivers.
In contrast, countries in Asia and Europe dominate the top of the list. Singapore holds the number one spot, with access to 193 destinations. Japan and South Korea follow closely, tied in second with 190 visa-free countries. Meanwhile, seven European nations share third place, each providing access to 189 destinations: France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Ireland, Finland, and Denmark.
Some countries have made significant gains in recent months. India, for instance, has climbed from 85th to 77th by expanding its list of visa-free countries to 62. Saudi Arabia has also improved its global mobility, adding four new visa-free destinations. However, over the past decade, nations like Venezuela, the U.S., and even Canada have seen declines in rank, with Venezuela falling 15 positions and Canada slipping by four.
For Canadians, the passport remains not only a symbol of global mobility but also a vital document for smooth re-entry into the country. Citizenship can be obtained either by birth in Canada or through descent. Immigrants must first gain permanent residency and live in the country for at least three years before applying for citizenship, after which they can enjoy the benefits of one of the world’s top passports.