World passport ranking: Canada's passport is more powerful than the U.S.
A new ranking of the world's most powerful passports ranks Canada's at No. 7, ahead of the United States at No. 8
While much hullabaloo was made about Canada's historic redesign of its passport earlier this year, the document itself remains one of the most powerful in the world.
A new ranking of the world's most powerful passports ranks Canada's at No. 7, ahead of the United States at No. 8.
The Global Passport Ranking by Henley & Partners rates the world's passports based on how many “destinations their holders can access without a prior visa,” according to its website.
Earning the top spot is Singapore, with access to 192 destinations.
Tied at No. 2, with 190 destinations, are Germany, Italy and Spain.
At No. 3, with 189 destinations, are Austria, Finland, France, Japan, Luxembourg, South Korea and Sweden.
Before sliding to No. 3, Japan was No. 1 for five years running.
Tied at No. 7, Greeks and Canadians can visit 185 destinations visa-free. Americans and Lithuanians, tied at No. 8, can visit 184 destinations visa-free.
Historically, its 2023 spot is the highest Canada has reached in four years, but a far cry from 2014 when it was the No. 2 most powerful passport in the world.
In 2013, the American passport was ranked No. 2, but has since tumbled to No. 8 in 2023.
Of the countries sitting in the Top 10 of the Henley Passport Index, the US has seen the biggest fall in ranking over the past decade, plummeting from 2nd place to 8th.
Singapore by comparison has improved its rank by five positions, moving up to the number one spot. pic.twitter.com/xWitq8f4dP— Henley & Partners (@HenleyPartners) July 19, 2023
In May, officials announced Canadians would be able to renew their passports online starting this fall.
“This passport redesign began in 2013 as a regular process to prevent counterfeiting by integrating new and more modern security features and design techniques,” Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada said in a statement at the time.
RELATED: Canada's passport redesign sparks criticism, humour online
The new passport will feature more Indigenous imagery and wildlife. The front cover will feature a gold maple leaf and the Canadian coat of arms, while the back will be adorned with eight little red maple leaves.
New security measures for the passport will include temperature sensitive ink as well as special images of wildlife that appear and disappear under UV light.
