Residence and citizenship advisory firm Henley and Partners has released their ranking of world passports in 2024— incorporating data from the International Air Transport Authority.
The firm ranked the Canadian passport as the seventh most powerful in the world this year, based on a variety of criteria, including the number of visa-free travel options it holds. Canadian passport holders have access to visa-free travel options to 187 countries around the world, and further work and study options in many of these countries. Additionally many Canadian passport holders benefit from the ability to hold dual citizenship, and thus two passports. This is the second year in a row that the Canadian passport has held this spot, tying with passports from Czechia, Hungary, and Malta.
This year Singapore retained the number one spot, maintaining visa-free travel to 195 countries around the world. Second place was tied between passports of five countries (France, Germany, Italy, Japan and Spain) which provided holders visa-free travel access to 192 countries. The United States ranked last among G7 countries this year, falling to 8th place (granting visa-free access to 186 countries). Last place overall this year went to Afghanistan, with visa-free access to 26 countries.
A historically strong passport
The Canadian passport has historically maintained strong benefits for its holders, with Henley’s own rankings reflecting this.
The firm had previously (in 2014) ranked Canada’s passport as high as second in its worldwide international mobility rankings. In the close to 20 years that Henley have produced their passport rankings, Canada’s passport has not dipped in standing below the top 10.
How to obtain a Canadian passport
Become a citizen first
Obtaining a Canadian passport first requires Canadian citizenship. For those who were not born in Canada, this usually this involves first attaining permanent residency, and meeting Canada’s physical presence requirements for citizenship. This means you need to have lived in Canada for at least three out of the past five years, totalling approximately 1,095 days.
Note: If you are the direct child of a Canadian citizen (who was a citizen at the time of your birth), you may be eligible to inherit citizenship status from your parent. New rules have also been introduced to expand this eligibility to some children of Canadians born abroad, who have themselves been born abroad.
Once a newcomer has attained permanent residence, and met the physical presence requirements, there are still other criteria that immigrants need to meet as part of the application process for Canadian citizenship. Specifically, these are:
- Tax Filing: If required, you must file and pay any outstanding taxes owed during your residency period;
- Citizenship Test: You need to pass a Canadian citizenship test; and
- Language Proficiency: Prove your official language skills are at least equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 4 in English or French.
Generally, it takes at least three years to secure Canadian citizenship through naturalisation.
Applying for a Canadian passport
After completing a citizenship ceremony and receiving a citizenship certificate, new citizens can apply for a passport. Every lawful Canadian citizen is eligible to apply, although ineligibility can occur if there are issues such as misrepresentation on your citizenship application, security concerns, human rights violations, or connections to organized crime.
The application process requires specific documents, including:
- Proof of Canadian citizenship (citizenship certificate or Canadian birth certificate);
- Any valid Canadian passport or travel document issued in your name;
- Two references in support of your passport application;
- A document confirming your identity;
- Two identical passport-size photographs; and
- For first-time applicants, a guarantor is also needed. The guarantor must meet specific requirements, which vary based on the type of passport and application location.
New citizens can apply for a passport online or at a Service Canada centre, either by appointment or through walk-in service.
