Canada’s passport has once again ranked ahead of the United States in the latest Henley Passport Index. According to the updated rankings released on July 21, 2026, the Canadian passport is now the seventh most powerful passport in the world, while the U.S. passport ranks tenth.
The latest results show that Canada has moved up one place since the beginning of 2026. In January, Canada ranked eighth, but it has now climbed to seventh. The United States has remained in tenth position during the same period.
The Henley Passport Index measures the strength of passports based on the number of destinations citizens can visit without obtaining a visa before travel. According to the latest rankings, Canadian passport holders can travel to 183 destinations without requiring a traditional visa, while U.S. passport holders have access to 180 destinations.
Canada has consistently remained among the world’s top 10 passports since the Henley Passport Index was first introduced in 2006. The country’s highest position came in 2014, when it reached second place. Since then, Canada has generally remained between sixth and ninth place despite growing competition from other countries.
The United States has experienced a much bigger decline over the years. It held the top position when the index began in 2006 but dropped to twelfth place in October 2025, marking the first time it had fallen outside the top 10. The country returned to tenth place in January 2026 and has maintained that position in the latest rankings.
Henley & Partners also pointed out that the United States is one of the few highly ranked countries whose citizens still need a visa to visit China. In comparison, Canadian passport holders have been able to travel to China without a visa for visits of up to 30 days since February 2026.
World’s Strongest Passports In July 2026
The latest Henley Passport Index includes 38 countries in the global top 10 because several countries share the same ranking.
Most of the countries in the top rankings are located in Europe. Of the 38 countries listed, 29 are European nations. The remaining countries come from Asia, North America, and Oceania.
| Rank | Country | Visa-Free Destinations |
| 1 | Singapore | 192 |
| 2 | Japan | 188 |
| South Korea | ||
| United Arab Emirates | ||
| 3 | Sweden | 187 |
| 4 | Belgium | 186 |
| Denmark | ||
| Finland | ||
| France | ||
| Germany | ||
| Ireland | ||
| Italy | ||
| Luxembourg | ||
| Netherlands | ||
| Norway | ||
| Spain | ||
| 5 | Austria | 185 |
| Greece | ||
| Malta | ||
| Portugal | ||
| Switzerland | ||
| 6 | Hungary | 184 |
| Poland | ||
| United Kingdom | ||
| 7 | Australia | 183 |
| Canada | ||
| Czechia | ||
| Latvia | ||
| Malaysia | ||
| New Zealand | ||
| Slovakia | ||
| Slovenia | ||
| 8 | Croatia | 182 |
| Estonia | ||
| 9 | Liechtenstein | 181 |
| Lithuania | ||
| 10 | Iceland | 180 |
| United States |
Most countries in the top 10 either kept their previous ranking or gained access to one additional visa-free destination during the first half of 2026. However, there were a few notable changes.
The United Arab Emirates recorded one of the biggest improvements by moving from fifth place to second. Meanwhile, Switzerland, Croatia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Liechtenstein, and Iceland each lost access to one visa-free destination, causing them to move down in the rankings.
How The Passport Ranking Is Calculated?
The Henley Passport Index is based on information provided by the International Air Transport Association (IATA), together with research carried out by Henley & Partners.
The index compares 199 passports using access to 227 destinations around the world. Every passport receives a visa score based on how many destinations its holders can enter without getting a visa before travelling.
The ranking also counts destinations where travellers can receive a visa on arrival, obtain a visitor permit upon entry, or travel using an electronic travel authorization (eTA). Destinations requiring travellers to secure a visa or e-visa before departure are not included in the score.
Henley & Partners updates the passport rankings every month to reflect changes in global travel rules.
How To Get A Canadian Passport?
Only Canadian citizens can apply for a Canadian passport.
For most foreign nationals, the first step is becoming a Canadian permanent resident. Permanent residents must then meet all citizenship requirements, including being physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days during the previous five years.
Eligible applicants must also complete the Canadian citizenship application, pass the citizenship test, and attend the citizenship ceremony, where they officially take the oath of citizenship.
After becoming Canadian citizens, applicants receive a citizenship certificate, which is required when applying for a Canadian passport.
Since April 1, 2026, passport applicants are entitled to receive their passport within 30 business days. If this timeline is not met, the passport application fee will be waived.
Applicants can submit a Canadian passport application online, by mail, or in person at a passport office or a Service Canada Centre.
Some individuals may also qualify for a Canadian passport through citizenship by descent. Those who can prove an uninterrupted line of descent from a Canadian citizen can first obtain a proof of citizenship certificate before applying for a Canadian passport.
The latest Henley Passport Index highlights Canada’s continued strength in global travel. With access to 183 visa-free destinations and a place among the world’s most powerful passports, Canada continues to offer its citizens one of the strongest travel documents available internationally.
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