Canada passport ranking 2026: fifth in the Commonwealth

Canada has the fifth-strongest passport among the 56 Commonwealth countries, behind Singapore, Malta, Malaysia and the United Kingdom. Henley Passport Index data read on Nov. 5, 2026 gives Canadians access to 183 destinations without getting a visa in advance, a total shared with Australia and New Zealand. Worldwide, that places Canada seventh.

The fifth-place finding first came from a separate ranking by Passport Reports, reported by KamloopsBCNow. It puts Canada fifth on its own, ahead of Cyprus, New Zealand and Australia. To test that, Canada News Media ranked all 56 members using the Henley Passport Index, the best-known global ranking. Canada comes fifth there too, though tied.

Top 10 Commonwealth passports in 2026

How many countries can Canadians visit without a visa?

Henley’s 183 includes three kinds of entry. Canadians get true visa-free entry to 135 destinations, a visa on arrival at 37 and an electronic travel authorization at 11. That leaves 43 destinations out of Henley’s 227 where a visa must be arranged first: 28 by e-visa or online application and 15 through a regular visa process.

Being in the Commonwealth does not guarantee easy entry to other members. Canadians need an electronic authorization for the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Kenya and Sri Lanka, and a visa arranged in advance for India, Pakistan and Nigeria, according to Henley’s data.

Why Canada trails the top four

Comparing Henley’s country lists shows the specific gaps. Brazil stands out: it is open without an advance visa to holders of all four passports above Canada, while Canadians must apply first. Vietnam is open to Singapore, Malaysia and the U.K. passports. Malta and the U.K. passports also get into Venezuela, which requires a regular visa for Canadians.

Canada’s count has been rising this year. It stood at 181 and eighth place in January, CTV News reported, before reaching 183 and seventh place by July, according to CIC News. The same report says Canadians have been able to enter China visa-free for stays of up to 30 days since February 2026.

How Canada compares with the U.S. and the G7

Canada’s passport beats the American one, 183 destinations to 180. But it is second-last in the G7 on Henley’s numbers, behind Japan (188), France, Germany and Italy (186 each) and the U.K. (184), and ahead of only the U.S. Passport Reports also has Canada sixth of the seven, and first among North American countries, according to KamloopsBCNow.

Seven passports share seventh place in the world at 183: Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Czechia, Latvia, Slovakia and Slovenia.

Why passport rankings disagree

Different indexes count differently. Passport Reports gives Canada 112 visa-free destinations, 33 visa-on-arrival and 10 electronic authorizations, or 155 in total, and 43 advance visas, according to KamloopsBCNow. Henley also ends up at 43 advance visas, but its total is higher because its list of 227 destinations is longer. It appears to count many territories as well as countries, while the Passport Reports figures add up to 198. The two also order the top differently: Passport Reports has Malaysia second, and Henley has Malta.

All 56 Commonwealth passports ranked

Planning a trip? Our guide covers Canadian passport fees, processing times and renewal in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What is Canada’s passport ranking in 2026?

Canada ranks seventh in the world on the Henley Passport Index, with access to 183 destinations without an advance visa, as of Nov. 5, 2026. It is fifth among the 56 Commonwealth countries.

How many countries can you visit with a Canadian passport?

Henley counts 183 destinations without an advance visa: 135 visa-free, 37 with a visa on arrival and 11 with an electronic travel authorization. Another 43 require a visa arranged before you travel.

Which Commonwealth country has the strongest passport?

Singapore, with 193 destinations. It is also first in the world on the Henley index. Malta is second in the Commonwealth with 185.

Is the Canadian passport stronger than the U.S. passport?

Yes on Henley’s count, 183 destinations to 180.

Do Canadians need a visa to visit the U.K. or Australia?

Not a traditional visa, but Henley lists both as requiring an electronic travel authorization, which must be obtained before travelling.

Do Canadians need a visa for India or Brazil?

Yes. Henley lists both among the destinations where Canadians must apply online before travelling. Check current rules before you book.

How we did this

We took each passport’s total from Henley’s published data on Nov. 5, 2026, and ranked the 56 Commonwealth members. Tied countries share a rank. Comparisons of individual destinations use Henley’s country lists. Henley updates its data, so totals can change, and its entry categories may not match every country’s own rules.