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Jan 22, 2026

Canadian Passport Ranked 7th Globally as Mobility Gap Widens, Says Henley Report

Canadian Passport Ranked 7th Globally as Mobility Gap Widens, Says Henley Report
The January 2026 edition of the Henley Global Mobility Report places the Canadian passport in seventh place worldwide, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations—four fewer than top-ranked Singapore. While Canada retained its position from last year, the study warns of a growing divergence between “mobility rich” and “mobility poor” nationalities.

For Canadian high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), enhanced travel freedom represents a tangible financial asset. Wealth management firm Henley & Partners notes that frictionless mobility lowers administrative costs, accelerates deal-making and provides a hedge against geopolitical risk. The report attributes Canada’s strong showing to its extensive network of bilateral visa-waiver agreements and its reputation for secure travel documents.

Corporate mobility managers can leverage the ranking to pitch Canada-based assignments to globally mobile talent who value lifestyle and unrestricted travel. Conversely, companies relocating staff from lower-ranking jurisdictions must factor in longer visa lead times and possible transit restrictions—a consideration that becomes critical for project-based work with tight deadlines.

Canadian Passport Ranked 7th Globally as Mobility Gap Widens, Says Henley Report


Whether you already benefit from Canada’s well-ranked passport or are seeking visas for employees and family members from other jurisdictions, VisaHQ’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) streamlines the entire process. The platform offers up-to-date entry requirements, digital application tools and concierge support for more than 200 destinations, helping wealth advisors, corporate travel teams and individual globetrotters translate passport power into hassle-free, compliant travel.

The widening gap also influences family-office planning. Advisors increasingly recommend “portfolio passports,” where affluent clients obtain a second citizenship to unlock regions otherwise closed to their primary nationality. Canada’s citizenship-by-naturalisation pathway—usually three years of physical presence—remains attractive, especially when compared with high-cost investment-migration programs in Europe and the Caribbean.

Looking ahead, analysts expect passport power to remain fluid as countries adjust visa policies to court tourism dollars or address security concerns. Ottawa’s ongoing expansion of electronic travel authorisations (eTAs) could boost Canada’s ranking further, provided reciprocal access is negotiated with key partner states.
VisaHQ's expert visas and immigration team helps individuals and companies navigate global travel, work, and residency requirements. We handle document preparation, application filings, government agencies coordination, every aspect necessary to ensure fast, compliant, and stress-free approvals.
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