The Canadian passport ranks 14th on the Global Citizen Solutions Passport Index and 29th on the Enhanced Mobility Index, making it one of the best passports in the world for visa-free and visa-on-arrival access. If you are looking for another foreign passport for work or tourism purposes, the Canada passport can be an excellent choice.

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Map of Canada Visa-Free Countries

The map provides a detailed overview of visa-free access for Canadian passport holders. Countries with visa-free access are represented by dark blue, while destinations with visa-required access are distinguished by light blue.

Map of Canada visa free countries

Made with data from: GCS Global Passport Index

Canada Visa-Free Countries for Passport Holders

Based on the Global Citizen Solutions Global Passport Index, the Canadian passport provides free access in full to 118 countries, which is the total sum of free-access and free access (limited days). These destinations include the Schengen area, Singapore, Costa Rica, and South Africa. The table below lists all the available countries for visa-free travel.

Angola Guatemala Netherlands
Albania Guyana Norway
Andorra Hong Kong Panama
United Arab Emirates Honduras Peru
Argentina Croatia Philippines
Antigua and Barbuda Haiti Poland
Austria Hungary Portugal
Belgium Ireland Paraguay
Bulgaria Iceland Palestine, State of
Bahamas Israel Qatar
Bosnia and Herzegovina Italy Romania
Belarus Jamaica Rwanda
Belize Japan Senegal
Bolivia, Plurinational State of Kazakhstan Singapore
Barbados Kyrgyzstan El Salvador
Brunei Darussalam Kiribati San Marino
Botswana Saint Kitts and Nevis Serbia
SwitzerlandKOS (Flag Not Available) Sao Tome and Principe
Chile Saint Lucia Suriname
Colombia Liechtenstein Slovakia
Cabo Verde Lesotho Slovenia
Costa Rica Lithuania Sweden
Cyprus Luxembourg Eswatini
Czechia Latvia Thailand
Germany Macao Tajikistan
Dominica Morocco Trinidad and Tobago
Denmark Monaco Tunisia
Dominican Republic Moldova, Republic of Turkey
Ecuador Mexico Taiwan, Province of China
Spain North Macedonia Ukraine
Estonia Malta Uruguay
Finland Montenegro United States
Fiji Mongolia Uzbekistan
France Mozambique Holy See (Vatican City State)
Micronesia, Federated States of Mauritius Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
United Kingdom Malawi Vanuatu
Georgia Malaysia Samoa
Gambia Namibia South Africa
Greece Nicaragua Zambia
Grenada

Visa-on-Arrival Countries for Canada Passport Holders

Canadian citizens have visa-on-arrival access to 18 countries. These destinations don’t require electronic visas or prior visa applications. Visa-on-arrival countries with a valid passport include Zimbabwe, Solomon Islands, and Somalia. Here is a list offering a detailed preview.

Burundi Lebanon Solomon Islands
Bangladesh Madagascar Somalia
Comoros Maldives Timor-Leste
Guinea-Bissau Marshall Islands Tonga
Indonesia Mauritania Tuvalu
Iraq Palau Zimbabwe

eTA Countries for Canada Passport Holders

The Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required in six countries before Canadian citizens can enter the country. These include Seychelles, Cuba, and Australia. The table below provides a complete list.

Australia New Zealand
Cuba Seychelles
Kenya South Korea

You can check out other countries to travel to with a Canadian passport

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Countries That Require an eVisa for Canada Passport Holders

There are 35 countries that require an eVisa or electronic visa for Canadian travelers, some of which include Nepal, Oman, and Uganda. The table provides a detailed list.

Armenia Gabon Nepal
Azerbaijan Guinea Oman
Benin Equatorial Guinea Pakistan
Burkina Faso India Papua New Guinea
Bahrain Jordan Saudi Arabia
Brazil Cambodia Sierra Leone
Bhutan Kuwait South Sudan
Côte d'Ivoire Lao People's Democratic Republic Togo
Cameroon Libya Tanzania, United Republic of
Congo, The Democratic Republic of the Sri Lanka Uganda
Djibouti Myanmar Viet Nam
Ethiopia Nigeria

Countries with Visa Requirements for Canada Passport Holders

Few countries have a visa required for Canadian visitors, such as Sudan, Yemen, and Chad. The table below offers a detailed guideline for where countries require a visa for multiple entries.

Afghanistan Ghana Russian Federation
Central African Republic Iran, Islamic Republic of Sudan
China Liberia Syrian Arab Republic
Congo Mali Chad
Algeria Niger Turkmenistan
Egypt Nauru Venezuela, Bolivarian Republic of
Eritrea Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Yemen

Overview of Canada Passport

The Canadian passport is one of the world’s most reliable and powerful travel documents. It provides global mobility to multiple countries. The Government of Canada uses the national passport as a form of identification for Canadian citizens.

Canada ranks 14th in our Global Passport Index. This passport offers free access to hundreds of countries, including visa-free, eVisa, and visa-on-arrival access. It offers unparalleled impacts in terms of quality of life (12th), investment index (18th), and enhanced mobility index (29th).

Canadian citizens who hold a valid passport can travel in and out of the country and pursue various investment opportunities. You can receive a Canadian citizenship by naturalization, birth, or descent. Canadian passport holders can receive dual citizenship and many social benefits, providing global mobility, economic, personal, and generational advantages. But, for non-citizens to obtain citizenship, they must first become permanent residents.

Benefits of Canada Passport

The Canada passport ranking is one of the highest on the globe. It is among the safest and friendliest countries with excellent business opportunities. Owning a passport can offer many benefits, such as the right to vote, family reunion, visa-free travel, and no need for status renewal.

Right to vote

Passport holders are registered to vote in Canadian elections. You have the right to vote for your national and local representatives. You can also stand as a candidate for elections and represent the people in local, federal, and state governments.

Family reunion

Canadian permanent residents and Canadian citizens can sponsor their family members to immigrate to Canada. The family sponsorship is a separate immigration process regulated by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

Visa-free travel

A new passport in Canada opens a path to global mobility for work or tourism purposes. Due to bilateral agreements between Canada and other countries, there are many destinations to travel to without visa requirements based on the intended stay.

No need for status renewal

Permanent residents (PR) must renew their PR status every five years. Canadian citizenship is permanent, and there is no need to renew it, only to take out a new passport if the old one is damaged, invalid, or expired.

How can Canadian passport holders travel without a visa?

Canadian passport holders can enter many countries without needing to apply for a valid visa. No extra paperwork is required, other than showing a valid passport at the border for an intended stay.

For example, Canadians can enter the European Schengen Area and stay for 90 days in any 180-day period. In any part of the Caribbean, except for Cuba, Canadians don’t need to apply for a visitor visa. Depending on the location, they can stay for three to six months.

For more extended stays, Canadians must apply for a residency visa, long-stay, or long-term visa. However, some countries require a visitor visa or a new eTA. In such cases, you would have to file a visa application form or a new eTA, proof of travel itinerary, a valid passport, and additional documentation. It’s vital to check the entry requirements with border control and immigration law before traveling.

Canada Passport by Investment

Canada doesn’t offer a direct path to citizenship by investment. However, the Government of Canada provides various immigration programs, like the Start-up Visa program or the Quebec Immigration Program, for foreign nationals to become permanent residents. Permanent residents can become citizens of Canada after meeting the residency requirements, which means living in the country for three out of the last five years.

Even if you don’t earn a significant salary or plan to invest, you can still gain temporary residency in Canada. The country provides nonimmigrant visas or work visas, allowing foreign nationals to enter and stay for a limited period without seeking permanent residence. Temporary workers with a foreign passport enjoy the ideal Canada traveling experience and gain valuable work experience.

Global Citizen Solutions: How we can help?

Expats and foreign investors can encounter many difficulties when applying for a Canada Visa, so having an expert on hand is worthwhile to provide personalized Canada Visa assistance throughout the application process.

Our specialists can help you with the following:

  • Minimize the visits you have to make to the designated country
  • Have someone who works solely on your behalf
  • Reduce the hassle associated with putting your application together
  • Acquire insider knowledge from someone with years of experience in the market

Let’s get you moving forward in your quest to obtain a Canadian passport. Get in touch with us to book a free consultation.

So, whether you’re seeking ancient traditions, awe-inspiring landmarks, vibrant festivals, or tranquil landscapes, don’t let visa requirements deter you from embarking on your dream journey. Embrace the visa application process as a necessary step that opens the gateway to unforgettable adventures and allows you to delve deeper into the cultures and wonders that await you.

Frequently Asked Questions about Visa Free Countries for Canadian Passports

How many countries can a Canadian visit without a visa?

The countries Canadians can visit without visa or free access are 118, based on the GCS Global Passport Index. The total free countries is 177, which includes free access, electronic travel authorization (eTA), and on-arrival visas. Canadians can travel almost anywhere with minimal travel documents.

Is Canada a strong passport?

Yes, the Canadian passport is a very reliable and powerful travel document. Canada maintains excellent relations with international countries and offers extensive travel and work benefits for its citizens, whether for multiple or single entry visits.

What are the visa-free countries for Canadian passport holders?

Visa-free countries for Canadians are 177 destinations, which include free access, electronic travel authorization (eTA), and on-arrival visa access. Many countries fall into this category, such as the Caribbean, South America, and Europe. The Government of Canada has established diplomatic relations, which means travelers don’t need to fill out lengthy application forms or provide any extra documentation.

Can Canadians travel to the USA without a visa?

Yes, Canadians can enter the United States without a visa for work, tourism, or temporary purposes. The two countries have a special agreement and a strong political and economic relationship, which exempts Canadians from needing a valid visa.

Do Canadians need a visa for the Schengen area?

Canadians don’t need a Schengen Visa. They can stay in Schengen countries for up to 90 days during a 180-day period. Passport holders can travel freely due to strong diplomatic relations, foreign affairs, and low immigration risk.

How long can Canadians stay in visa-free countries?

The length of time Canadians can stay in visa-free countries depends on the destination country’s rules, but here are the most common scenarios:

  • Japan up to 90 days
  • South Korea up to 6 months
  • Brazil up to 90 days

Which Asian countries can Canadians visit visa-free?

Canadians can enter South Korea, Thailand, and Japan visa-free. These visa-free countries to Canada provide short-term stays and easy access for tourism, business, or similar purposes. They have reciprocal visa exemption arrangements with the Government of Canada.