The Canadian Passport Ranked Among The Most Powerful In The World
Canada and the U.S. tied this year.
A person holding up a Canadian passport in an airport.
A ranking of the most powerful passports across the world has put the Canadian passport among the top global tiers, meaning that those of us who are citizens in what was recently ranked the second-best country in the world can travel the globe with relative ease.
In addition to the Canadian passport being among the most treasured globally, it's also known as one of the most beautiful passports. For those wanting to renew or apply for a new Canadian passport, the backlog has dropped significantly, and Service Canada is now able to process passport requests much more easily, especially after opening a new Passport Canada pickup location in Montreal.
Passport Index, an online agency that curates, sorts and ranks the world's passports, dropped its 2023 Global Passport Power Rank, and Canada landed in the fifth-highest grouping, alongside countries such as Malta, Lithuania, Slovakia, Australia, and the United States of America. The ranking is based on a "mobility score," a measure of how easy it is for holders of a passport to travel elsewhere.
The global passport index reported that Canada has visa-free access to a total of 121 countries and visa-on-arrival for 52 countries. Canadians would also be required to obtain a visa to visit 25 countries prior to arrival, including destinations such as China, Algeria, Iran, Niger, Syria, Venezuela and the Russian Federation.
Canada's 2023 ranking ties with that of the United States, which has visa-free access, visa-on-arrival and required visas to the same number of countries.
Estonia, Latvia, Slovenia and Liechtenstein all landed in the sixth tier, with Estonia and Latvia performing highest with visa-free access to 124 countries.
So, which passport is considered to be the most powerful? According to the Passport Index, the United Arab Emirates remains number one. The U.A.E. secured a total mobility score of 180 with visa-free access to 127 countries, visa-on-arrival for 53 countries, and a required visa for only 18 global destinations.
A handful of European countries followed suit, with Sweden, Germany, Finland, Spain, France, and Italy landing at the top of the second tier, with visa-free access to 132 countries. The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, and Switzerland also landed in the second tier, receiving a mobility score of 176.
Denmark, Belgium, Portugal, Norway, Poland, Ireland and South Korea made up the third tier, receiving mobility scores of 175. Denmark tops that grouping with visa-free access to 131 countries.
At the very bottom of the 2023 global passport ranking are Somalia (46), Iraq (43), Syria (42), and Afghanistan (41), with visa-free access to no more than 11 countries worldwide.
A previous ranking of world passports had Canada in the seventh grouping — so while our score still isn't perfect, it's definitely improving, and a win is a win, right?
How long do Canadian passports take right now?
The service standard for regular passport applications submitted in Canada takes roughly 10 days if submitted in person at a passport office or a Service Canada that offers 10-day processing. If your forms are submitted at a regular Service Canada Centre, a Service Canada Scheduled Outreach Site that offers passport services or by mail, it could take up to 20 days. Note that these estimates do not include mailing time.
How much is a 10 year Canadian passport?
A 10-year Canadian passport costs $160 for adults ages 16 and over, per the federal government.
How many countries does a Canadian passport get you in?
The Canadian passport allows visa-free access to a total of 121 countries and visa-on-arrival for 52 countries. Canadians would also be required to obtain a visa to visit 25 countries prior to arrival, including destinations such as China, Algeria, Iran, Niger, Syria, Venezuela and the Russian Federation, among 16 others.
What is the strongest passport in the world?
According to the recent ranking by the Passport Index, the United Arab Emirates has the most powerful passport in the world. The U.A.E. secured a total mobility score of 180 with visa-free access to 127 countries, visa-on-arrival for 53 countries, and a required visa for only 18 global destinations.
Is Canadian passport more powerful than USA?
The Passport Index currently has the Canadian passport and the U.S. passport tied equally, both receiving a mobility score of 173. The two passports allow visa-free access, visa-on-arrival and required visas for the same number of countries.
How much is a Canadian passport?
Per the Government of Canada, a 5-year adult passport (age 16 and over) is $120 while a 10-year adult passport (age 16 or over) is $160. A child's passport (zero to 15 years of age) is $57.
How do you renew a passport in Canada?
If you already have an adult passport, you may be able to renew it. Renewing a passport is simpler than applying for a new one. This is because you don’t need a guarantor, proof of Canadian citizenship or supporting identification, per the federal government.
Only adult passports can be renewed, for those 16 years old and under, a new passport application must be submitted. Passport renewal can be done in person or by mail.
Is it better to get a 5-year or 10-year passport?
According to Canada Visa, there is no "better" passport. The two are identical to each other, the only difference is how long they are valid for. Additionally, the cost differs from that of a 5-year passport and a 10-year passport.
When will the new Canadian passport be available?
The federal government has released a first look at Canada's new passport, featuring a new cover, new artwork and "state-of-the-art security features," including a thick license-like page with laser-engraved personal information.
As for when it will be available, the Canadian government has already begun issuing the newly designed passports. "As of June 18, 2023, we started to issue the new passports. Until we finish installing the printers for the new passports in all offices, you may still get the current passport when you apply. By spring 2024, we'll only be issuing the new passports. If you already have a valid passport, it's still secure and reliable."
This article's cover image was used for illustrative purposes only.
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