Based on coverage from CTV and Global.
In a twist that might surprise some, Canadian passport holders now enjoy greater visa-free access worldwide compared to their American neighbours. According to the latest Henley Passport Index, Canada ranks 9th in the world for the number of countries its citizens can visit without a visa, while the United States has slipped to 12th place. This marks a shift from last year when both countries were tied at 7th place.
So, what’s behind this change? Henley and Partners, the firm behind the index, points to a bit of tit-for-tat diplomacy. Some countries have imposed reciprocal visa requirements on American travellers in response to new U.S. visa restrictions and more stringent entry requirements. This has nudged the U.S. passport down the rankings, while Canada has managed to maintain broader access.
For Canadians, this means easier travel to places like Belarus, Papua New Guinea, and Uzbekistan, where no visa is required. They also enjoy visa-free entry upon arrival in Bolivia and Rwanda. Meanwhile, American passport holders face more hurdles in these destinations.
When you dig into the numbers, Canada ranks 32nd for visa-free travel, compared to the U.S. at 37th. Both countries were in 26th place last year, showing a slight decline for both, but a more pronounced drop for the U.S.
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Interestingly, the index also highlights China's rapid rise in visa-free access. From 94th place in 2015, China climbed to 62nd in 2024, although it slipped slightly to 64th this year. China has opened its doors wider, granting visa-free access to travellers from 76 countries, which is 30 more than the U.S. offers.
Canada's own ranking dip is partly due to countries reinstating visa requirements. Brazil, for instance, brought back the visa requirement for Canadians after unsuccessful negotiations with Ottawa to relax its own requirements for Brazilian citizens.
In the grand scheme of things, the passport power rankings remind us that international travel is as much about politics as it is about tourism. For now, Canadians can enjoy a bit more freedom on the global stage, while Americans might find themselves filling out a few more visa applications.
