The July 2026 Henley Passport Index shows the Canadian passport ranked 7th worldwide, allowing visa‑free travel to 183 destinations, while the United States passport fell to 10th with access to 180 destinations.
Canada has held a top‑10 position since the index’s inception in 2006, peaking at 2nd place in 2014 before settling in the 6th‑to‑9th range as other countries expanded their visa‑free agreements. The United States, which led the index in 2006, slipped to 12th in October 2025—its first appearance outside the top 10—before recovering to 10th in January 2026.
Visa‑free access
- Canada: 183 destinations (including visa‑free entry to China for stays up to 30 days as of February 2026)
- United States: 180 destinations
The index counts a destination as visa‑free when entry is possible without a prior visa, with a visa on arrival, or via an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Destinations requiring a visa or e‑visa before travel are excluded.
Top‑10 passports (July 2026)
| Rank | Country | Visa‑free destinations |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Japan | 188 |
| 3 | Sweden | 187 |
| 4 | Belgium | 186 |
| 5 | Austria | 185 |
| 6 | Hungary | 184 |
| 7 | Australia | 183 |
| 7 | Canada | 183 |
| 8 | Croatia | 182 |
| 9 | Liechtenstein | 181 |
| 10 | Iceland | 180 |
| 10 | United States | 180 |
Because of tied positions, 38 countries appear in the top 10, with 29 (76 %) from Europe and the remainder from Asia (5), North America (2), and Oceania (2). Most passports in the top 10 either held steady or gained a single visa‑free destination between January and July 2026. Notable changes include the United Arab Emirates rising from 5th to 2nd place, while Switzerland, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, and Iceland each lost one visa‑free destination.
Methodology
Henley & Partners compile the index using International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, supplemented by their own research. The ranking evaluates 199 passports against 227 travel destinations, assigning each passport a “visa score” equal to the number of destinations that can be entered without first securing a visa. Rankings are updated monthly.
Obtaining a Canadian passport
- Eligibility: Only Canadian citizens may receive a Canadian passport.
- Path for foreign nationals:
- Permanent residency: Must meet the physical‑presence requirement of 1,095 days within the last five years and satisfy other eligibility criteria.
- Citizenship: Apply for Canadian citizenship, pass the citizenship test, and attend a citizenship ceremony to receive a citizenship certificate.
- Passport application: With the citizenship certificate, apply online, by mail, or in person at a passport office or Service Canada centre.
- Processing time: Effective April 1 2026, passports are issued within 30 business days; otherwise, the application fee may be waived.
- Descendant eligibility: Individuals who can prove an unbroken line of descent from a Canadian citizen may also obtain a passport after securing a proof‑of‑citizenship certificate.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
