Maple News reports that the Canadian passport continues to hold its place among the world’s most powerful travel documents. In the latest global passport rankings published by Henley & Partners for 2024, Canada’s passport ranks seventh, granting holders visa-free access to 187 countries. This marks the second consecutive year that Canada has maintained this prestigious position, sharing the rank with Czechia, Hungary, and Malta.
The Henley Passport Index is based on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA) and evaluates passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. Canada’s high ranking reflects its strong international mobility score and longstanding reputation for global connectivity.
Singapore once again topped the 2024 list, with its passport offering visa-free travel to 195 countries. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain all tied for second place with access to 192 destinations. Notably, the United States fell to eighth place, placing it behind other G7 members, including Canada. Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the list, with just 26 visa-free destinations.
Canada’s passport has consistently ranked among the top 10 over the nearly two decades that Henley & Partners has been conducting these rankings. In 2014, it reached as high as second place. Its enduring strength is tied not only to visa-free travel access but also to opportunities for employment, education, and dual citizenship that come with Canadian nationality.
For those seeking to obtain a Canadian passport, becoming a Canadian citizen is the first step. This generally requires permanent residency and physical presence in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three out of the last five years). Additional requirements for citizenship include demonstrating language proficiency in English or French at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 or higher, passing a citizenship test, and filing taxes for the required period.
Children of Canadian citizens may also be eligible for citizenship through descent, including some born abroad under newly expanded eligibility rules. Once citizenship is granted, Canadians can apply for a passport, unlocking the international advantages it offers.
According to Maple News, Canada’s strong passport ranking reflects not just its global standing, but also the country’s welcoming immigration system and its emphasis on integration, mobility, and global access for its citizens.