The 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, released 1 February 2026, ranks Canada eighth worldwide—tied with Iceland and Lithuania—granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 181 destinations. The annual index, compiled from International Air Transport Association (IATA) data, measures the travel freedom of 199 passports.
Canada’s consistent top-ten status reflects its extensive network of bilateral visa-waiver agreements and its strong diplomatic relations. For Canadian multinationals, the ranking translates into lower administrative costs and fewer delays when dispatching staff on short-term assignments or urgent client visits.
Whether you already enjoy those 181 visa-free destinations or need assistance for the remaining jurisdictions, VisaHQ’s online platform can streamline the process. The company’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers real-time entry requirements, e-authorisation applications and courier support for full visa filings, helping both businesses and individual travellers stay on top of evolving rules from one convenient dashboard.
![Canada retains top-ten spot in 2026 Henley Passport Index]()
The index also serves as a marketing tool for immigration advisers promoting Canada as a base for global mobility. Permanent residents who naturalise gain a passport that opens doors across Asia-Pacific, Europe and much of Latin America without pre-arranged visas—an attractive proposition for international entrepreneurs and high-net-worth migrants weighing citizenship options.
However, business-travel managers caution that visa-free does not mean hassle-free. Electronic travel authorisation schemes such as Europe’s ETIAS (rolling out late 2026) and the United Kingdom’s eTA (fully enforced 25 February 2026) will introduce new online approvals and fees for Canadians, slightly eroding the convenience implied by the headline ranking.
Still, relative to competitors like the United States—ranked 10th with access to 179 destinations—Canada’s mobility edge remains intact. Organisations should continue to audit destination-entry rules regularly, ensuring travellers are aware of upcoming digital permits even when formal visas are not required.
Canada’s consistent top-ten status reflects its extensive network of bilateral visa-waiver agreements and its strong diplomatic relations. For Canadian multinationals, the ranking translates into lower administrative costs and fewer delays when dispatching staff on short-term assignments or urgent client visits.
Whether you already enjoy those 181 visa-free destinations or need assistance for the remaining jurisdictions, VisaHQ’s online platform can streamline the process. The company’s Canada portal (https://www.visahq.com/canada/) offers real-time entry requirements, e-authorisation applications and courier support for full visa filings, helping both businesses and individual travellers stay on top of evolving rules from one convenient dashboard.
The index also serves as a marketing tool for immigration advisers promoting Canada as a base for global mobility. Permanent residents who naturalise gain a passport that opens doors across Asia-Pacific, Europe and much of Latin America without pre-arranged visas—an attractive proposition for international entrepreneurs and high-net-worth migrants weighing citizenship options.
However, business-travel managers caution that visa-free does not mean hassle-free. Electronic travel authorisation schemes such as Europe’s ETIAS (rolling out late 2026) and the United Kingdom’s eTA (fully enforced 25 February 2026) will introduce new online approvals and fees for Canadians, slightly eroding the convenience implied by the headline ranking.
Still, relative to competitors like the United States—ranked 10th with access to 179 destinations—Canada’s mobility edge remains intact. Organisations should continue to audit destination-entry rules regularly, ensuring travellers are aware of upcoming digital permits even when formal visas are not required.
