Just how powerful is your passport? The 2019 Passport Index scores the most powerful passports based on the number of countries they grant access to without requiring a visa. See where your Canadian passport ranks in 2019, and the other countries with passports that allow for visa-free travel and more.
Canadian citizens don’t often need to apply for visas when they travel. But the Canadian passport is not the most powerful when it comes to visa-free and visa-on-arrival entry travel. According to the 2019 Passport Index, that distinction goes to the United Arab Emirates. Canada is tied in the fifth position with Lithuania, Iceland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. When it comes to visa-free departures, there are 22 countries that rank ahead of Canada.
These Are the Top 10 Most Powerful Passports in 2019
- United Arab Emirates
- Finland, Luxembourg, and Spain
- Denmark, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, and Portugal.*
*Switzerland, Japan, South Korean, Ireland, and the United States also rank in third position, but require visas on arrival in more countries than the preceding nations. More on this below.
What is the Passport Index?
The Passport Index is a free interactive tool that allows you to explore visa requirements for 199 countries (193 United Nations member countries and six territories). The index is maintained by Arton Capital, a global advisory firm for international residence and citizenship. It’s also regularly updated whenever changes occur.
To determine the most powerful passports in the world, each country is given a ‘mobility score’. The mobility score is calculated by adding two values: The number of countries citizens can visit without applying for a visa, and the number of countries that require a visa on arrival (VOA). In other words, the score totals the number of countries you can visit without needing a visa beforehand.
For example, the United Arab Emirates passport has a mobility score of 176. In detail, this means that UAE passport holders can visit 116 countries without a visa, and can obtain a VOA in 60 countries. There are only 22 countries that require UAE citizens to obtain a visa before departure.
The Most Powerful Passports in 2019 Ranked
Canada is not too far behind the United Arab Emirates with a mobility score of 165. Canadians can visit 115 countries without needing a visa. Additionally, there are 50 nations that require Canadian passport holders to get a VOA. And lastly, there are 33 countries that require a visa pre-departure. For example, some of these countries include Bhutan, Cameroon, and Iran.
So, what are the most powerful passports in the world? In the table below, we list the top 10 most powerful passport positions as of August 18, 2019. The right column shows the number of countries that can be visited visa-free or by obtaining a VOA.
| Rank | Passport | # of Countries Accessible |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | United Arab Emirates | 176 |
| 2 | Finland, Luxembourg, Spain | 168 |
| 3 | Denmark, Italy, Germany, Netherlands, Austria, Portugal, Switzerland, Japan, South Korea, Ireland, United States | 167 |
| 4 | Sweden, Singapore, France, Belgium, Malta, Greece, Norway | 166 |
| 5 | Canada, Lithuania, Iceland, New Zealand, United Kingdom | 165 |
| 6 | Czech Republic, Slovenia, Australia, Hungary | 164 |
| 7 | Latvia, Estonia, Slovakia, Poland | 163 |
| 8 | Cyprus | 162 |
| 9 | Malaysia, Romania, Monaco | 161 |
| 10 | Croatia, Bulgaria | 160 |
The Most Powerful Passports by Region
Curious to know the most powerful passports by continent or region? We break it down below.
- Seychelles is the most powerful passport in Africa. Overall, Seychelles ranks 22nd.
- The United Arab Emirates is the most powerful passport in Asia, followed by Japan.
- Finland, Luxembourg, and Spain are tied for the most powerful passports in Europe.
- The United States boasts the most powerful passport in North America.
- Mexico and Barbados are tied for the most powerful passport in the Caribbean.
- Chileans possess the most powerful passport in South America. Chile also claims most powerful passport in Latin America honours. Additionally, Chile ranks 11th overall, placing the nation just outside of the top 10 most powerful passports contention.
Tool to Compare Passports
The Passport Index site includes a handy tool to compare passports side-by-side. For instance, if you have dual citizenship, it might be worthwhile to see which passport ranks higher. Either way, you should bring both passports with you when you travel.
For example, click on United States and scroll to your next international destination. You can see whether you need a visa, an eVisa, an eTA (Electronic Travel Authority), or if you can obtain a visa on arrival. Moreover, the website will also display a yellow warning icon when it recommends you contact an embassy or consulate.
Additionally, the website is updated as visa changes occur. So be sure to add it to your bookmarks for easy reference for the next time you plan an international trip. Also, remember that no matter the ranking, your passport is only as good as its expiry date. In other words, make sure to renew your Canadian passport at least six months before it’s due to expire.
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*Post updated August 18, 2019, with the most recent Global Passport Index data. Always check the Government of Canada travel site and with destination authorities before booking your trip.
