Canadian Passport Power & Ranking 2023

Canada has a reputation as being one of the friendliest and safest countries in the world. A nation with a significant immigrant population in its major cities, it’s also a country that has welcomed people from around the world and continues to do so to this day.

Combining strong investment opportunities and a high quality of life, Canadian passport power ranks highly – clocking in as the eighth strongest passport in the world. This is according to the novel approach by Global Citizen Solutions, which looks beyond mobility and considers investment opportunities and quality of life indicators, which we believe are essential elements to determine a passport’s strength.

So, why does Canada rank so highly in the Global Passport Index? And why do Canada passport holders have an array of benefits at their fingertips? Read on for a detailed understanding of Canada’s ranking score and country profile, and why you may want to consider pursuing Canadian citizenship and a Canadian passport.

Canada Passport Power Ranking 2023

Various circumstances would make someone seek second citizenship, and why individuals will choose one country over another. Our Global Passport Index uses a quantitative scoring system to examine the attractiveness of a passport based on enhanced mobility, investment opportunities, and quality of life. So, just where does Canada stand in the rankings?

Our three-pronged approach provides three indexes, with Canada holding a different score for each index:

The Enhanced Mobility Index: Holds the most weight (50 percent) and is based on the number of countries the passport holder has visa-free and visa-on-arrival access to, alongside the level of “attractiveness” in terms of quality of life standards.

Canada’s ranking: 24th

The Investment Index: Holds 25 percent of the overall calculation and is based on the country’s economic strength, looking at financial prosperity and ease of doing business.

Canada’s ranking: 9th

The Quality of Life Index: Holds 25 percent of the overall calculation. Six components related to the quality of life are covered under this index:

The overall level of socioeconomic development
The cost of living
The level of happiness of nationals
The level of environmental sustainability
The protection of citizen’s rights and freedoms
Migrant acceptance

Canada’s ranking: 15th

For more information on where Canada sits in the indexes and its overall ranking, see Canada’s country profile here.

Canada Passport Power: An All-round Strong Passport

Canada ranks relatively high in each category, particularly in the Quality of Life Index. This pushes Canada into the eighth position in the overall Global Passport Index ranking.

Canada Passport Power: Enhanced Mobility

A Canadian passport regularly ranks highly for mobility. A Canada passport holder has visa-free access (including visa on arrival) to 172 countries, landing Canada in 24th position in the Enhanced Mobility Index. The Enhanced Mobility Index also incorporates quality of life factors, which Canada performs well in.

Canadian passport visa-free and visa-on-arrival countries include EU countries, Brazil, Japan, and the United Arab Emirates. One of the primary visa-free countries Canadian citizens can access is the USA. Valid Canada passport holders are the only foreign nationals with the privilege to enter the United States without a visa or requirement to follow the US visa waiver program – Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA).

Canada Passport Power: Investment Opportunities

The Canadian goverment offers investors global market access and low-risk investments and income security. This is because the country provides stability, vibrancy, and innovation, with many Fortune 500 companies expanding or establishing their operations here.

Canada had a Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per capita of $54,104 in 2022 and ranks highly on each aspect of markets and innovation – innovation capability, financial system, product market, market size, labor market, and business dynamics – making Canada a “most favorable” option for investors to place their money. The financial system, in particular, is very good in Canada.

Canada ranks as having the 39th largest population but the tenth largest GDP globally, showing that Canada is pushing against its weight with a robust and diversified economy. For both exports and imports, international trade plays a significant role in the country’s economy. For business growth, the trick is to seize opportunities while avoiding potential risks. Canada comes out victorious as it offers investors and international companies stability to grow and an innovative environment to motivate progression.

Taxation perks

Investing in Canada can be an attractive option for potential investors because of the variety of tax-advantaged accounts available to Canadian residents. Alongside this, you will have access to major stock markets, including the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX), the 11th-largest exchange in the world and the third-largest in North America, based on market capitalization.

Canada – a haven for foreign investments

Unsurprisingly, Canada is a solid investment hub for foreigners attracted to large economies offering multiple nationwide and local investment opportunities. Close proximity to America also makes doing business across the border easier.

Residence by investment

The government of Canada also provides several investment avenues to foreign investors looking to invest in the country and gain Canadian residency. An option could be a capital transfer through the Quebec Immigrant Investor Program (QIIP). The visa requirements for this program are a minimum net worth of CAD 2 million (about $1.48 million) and a capital transfer of CAD 1.2 million (about $890,000) through IQ Immigrants Investisseurs Inc in Quebec; In return, they receive residence permits for themselves and their family members.

The government of Canada also has a Start-Up Visa for successful international entrepreneurs who want to start innovative businesses in Canada. After a specified period of residence and permanent residence, Canada corporate investors can apply for Canadian citizenship and Canadian passports.

Only the most qualified and high-quality candidates are selected for investment immigration and can become a Canadian citizen.

Canada Passport Power: Quality of Life

Canadian citizens often feature as among the happiest in the world, with a good quality of life. In the Quality of Life Index, Canada ranks as the second-best country outside of Europe in terms of sustainable development, the level of freedom and happiness of citizens, and migrant acceptance. Foreign visitors and new migrants often report great experiences when arriving in Canada.

Native Americans born as Canadian citizens have access to extensive rights. The United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act is comprehensively observed by the Canadian government. Canada’s indigenous peoples enjoy enhanced social support, education, and the right to preserve their heritage and retain indigenous land.

The only aspect Canada did not rank highly is the cost of living. Living costs in Canada are generally high, particularly in larger cities with more economic movement, which decreases the score slightly. Some of the reasons why Canada performs well in this index are that the country is safe, politically stable, and has a very well-developed public health system.

Canadians residing abroad and Canadian visitors of foreign countries have the privilege of access to sufficient and efficient essential services from Canadian Consular Offices. If a Canadian citizen has lost their passport and requires a temporary passport or emergency travel document with an express pick up service, the Consular Office is there to assist.

The Canadian government has a Consular presence in around 150 countries. Whether you’re new family passport clients with foreign travel documents, your passport is close to the expiry date, and you need a Canadian passport renewal abroad, or any other matters related to foreign affairs, you can seek help from a Canadian Consulate or Embassy from almost anywhere in the world.

The World’s Most Powerful Passports:

Germany comes out on top of the pack as having the strongest passport in the world. This is followed by the USA (2nd), Sweden (3rd), Denmark (4th), Netherlands (5th), Finland (6th), UK (7th), Canada (8th), Norway (9th), and Switzerland (10th).(

How to Apply for a Canada Passport

Canada passport requirements

Before you can head to a Canadian passport office and submit a passport application, you first need to be granted Canadian citizenship by the government of Canada.

Required documents

A Canadian passport application submitted to a passport office in any Canadian province must come with the following documents:

Proof of Canadian citizenship (this can be a birth certificate if you were born in Canada or a citizenship certificate if you’re a naturalized citizen)
Any previous Canada passport or travel document issued to you by the Canadian government
A copy of national photo identification (both sides)
Two replicated passport-size photographs
- On the back of one of the photos, the photographer must write their name, complete address, and the date the photos were taken
- *Your guarantor must also sign the back of this photo

*A guarantor in Canada is a person who can verify your identity when applying for passports. They must have known you for at least two years, be over 18, and hold a valid Canadian passport. For Canadian passport applications from the US or elsewhere outside of Canada, guarantors must also have specific occupations, which include a judge, doctor, police officer, or high school/university dean.

Application process

Complete the Canadian passport application form.
Gather the completed passport application along with the required documents before submitting them to the Canadian passport office.
Find a guarantor and two references:

You will need your guarantor to sign your application, one of your passport photographs, and all copies of your ID.
You will also need two references who have known you for at least two years and are not your guarantor or family members.

Book your passport appointment at the closest Canadian Consular Office. Submit your passport application and pay the passport fee.
Your Canada passport is ready for collection or is mailed to you.

Renewing a Canada passport

The renewal process for a Canada passport is more straightforward and does not require other forms of identification documents or a guarantor and two references. Passport applicants can submit their expiring/expired passports with their passport applications and passport photographs to be eligible for Canadian passport renewal.

Five-year versus ten-year Canadian passports

Canada has two passport options for a Canadian citizen over 16 years old: You can apply for a 36-page passport valid for five years or a 36-page passport valid for ten years. Passports for children are only valid for five years.

Lost or stolen and damaged passports

Passport applications for lost or stolen, and damaged passports may require additional forms and fees before processing. These measures are also applicable to passport applications for name and identity changes.

Processing time for Canadian passports

There are four passport collection options for Canadian passport services.

Standard: On or after ten business days (typically within 20 business days)
Urgent: By the next business day
Express: Within two to nine business days
Pickup on weekends or national holidays

Domestic passport services from the Canadian government are generally faster than the passport services of Canadian Consular Offices. Canadians can have new passports available for pickup the next business day for international or domestic passport applications deemed urgent, such as for medical reasons or compassionate grounds passport applications based on emergency and humanitarian situations.

Canada passport fees

These are Canada’s passport fees, including the passport and urgent service fees:

Adult passport (16 or over)
- Five-year passport: CAD 120 (about $88.66)
- Ten-year passport: CAD 160 (about $118)
Child’s passport: CAD 57 (about $42.11)
Standard pickup (on or after ten business days): CAD 20 (about $14.78)
- Urgent (by the next business day): CAD 110 (about $81.27)
- Express (within two to nine business days): CAD 50 (about $36.94)
- Weekend or national holiday: CAD 355 (about $262)

Passport fees outside Canada have a higher charge:

Adult passport (16 or over)
- Five-year passport: CAD 190 (about $140)
- Ten-year passport: CAD 260 (about $192)
Child’s passport: CAD 100 (about $73.88)

Passport applications for a lost or stolen passport are subject to an additional service charge of CAD 45 (about $33.25) on top of the fee for the new passport. Damaged passports are subject to the fee for a new passport as well as a fee for the damaged passport (equal to a new passport).

Securing a Second Passport

Outside the popular routes of citizenship by birth, marriage, and naturalization, citizenship by investment or residency by investment programs are becoming increasingly popular among expats and foreign investors seeking a second citizenship.

Although the second passport program for each country varies, and some countries will not have these schemes in place, the requirements generally revolve around making a minimum investment into a nation’s economy or infrastructure – for example, real estate, cultural institutions, job creation, etc. After the investment has been made, you’re eligible for second citizenship.

These immigration investment programs are a win-win, as they boost the country’s economy while allowing you to gain citizenship and enjoy certain personal freedoms and financial prosperity.

Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique global citizenship and residence advisory firm providing citizenship and residency solutions to international clients. Contact us today to begin your journey to obtain true global citizenship.

Some of the countries that we currently offer citizenship or residence by investment are the following:

About the Global Passport Index

To create our Global Passport Index, quantitative data like composite indicators were used to analyze specific criteria that determine the attractiveness of a passport.

he ranking is based on data from various institutions and multilateral organizations, such as the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report, and was put together in collaboration with senior analysts.

Our full methodology can be found here.

To create our Global Passport Index, quantitative data like composite indicators were used to analyze specific criteria that determine the attractiveness of a passport. The ranking is based on data from various institutions and multilateral organizations, such as the World Bank, the World Economic Forum, and the Sustainable Development Report, and was put together in collaboration with senior analysts.

Our full methodology can be found here.

Discover more about the most powerful passports in our Global Passport Index.

Take a look

Table of contents

Frequently Asked Questions about Canadian Passports

How long does it take to get a Canada passport?

The standard processing time for a Canada passport is ten to 20 business days. Canada passports can also be processed through expedited passport services by the government of Canada to be available for pickup within one business day, two to nine business days, and weekends and national holidays. Processing time can be slightly faster or slower depending on the passport office or site Canadian passports are processed.

Canadians with emergency and humanitarian situations, like financial hardship passport clients or jeopardized passport clients, are placed under essential government services. A passport office will process these passports within one day.

How much is a Canada passport?

Regular passports for adults (16 or over) in Canada cost CAD 120 (about $88.66) for a five-year passport and CAD 160 (about $118) for a 10-year passport. A passport for an infant/child under 16 costs CAD 57 (about $42.11). You will also pay CAD 20 (about $14.78) for collection in ten to 20 business days, CAD 110 (about $81.27) in one business day, CAD 50 (about $36.94) in two to nine business days, and CAD 355 (about $262) to collect on weekends or national holidays.

Canadian passport fees outside Canada are also higher. You will need to pay CAD 190 (about $140) for a five-year passport, CAD 260 (about $192) for a ten-year passport, and CAD 100 (about $73.88) for a child’s passport.

How many countries can a Canada passport holder enter without a visa?

Holders of Canadian passports can enjoy international travel to 172 countries without a visa or with a visa issued on arrival. Canadians can also enter the United States without a visa or ESTA (Electronic System for Travel Authorization).

Canadian citizens also enjoy fast re-entry into the country through Canada Border Services Agency with electronic passport control.

What does a Canada passport look like?

Regular Canadian passports issued to Canadian citizens by the Canadian government are blue and look similar to UK or US passports.

Can a US citizen get a Canadian passport?

US citizens cannot get Canadian passports or any Canadian travel documents. However, the Canadian entry requirements for US citizens with a valid passport allow them to gain entry into Canada through any Canadian province on the border or by air without a visa or eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).

What is the current wait time for a Canadian passport?

Due to a current labor disruption, most domestic passport services are experiencing delays. Domestic passport applications for emergency and humanitarian situations, such as medical reasons or compassionate grounds passport applications, are available as part of emergency passport services at specialist sites. The essential service from specialist passport offices for emergency and humanitarian situations is also available to financial hardship passport clients and passport clients whose employment will be jeopardized if they cannot travel.

For Canadians living in a foreign country, passport applications for regular passports are deemed essential government services. The current labor shortage does not affect them, although Canadian passport clients applying abroad can experience delays.

Does Canada allow dual citizenship?

The government of Canada officially recognizes dual citizenship. Permanent residents in Canada are not required to renounce any citizenships they currently hold to be granted Canadian citizenship.

Can you apply for a Canadian passport from the USA?

Applying for a new Canadian passport or renewing a Canadian passport from the USA is relatively straightforward and often faster than Canada passport applications processed in other countries outside Canada.

What are the requirements for a Canadian passport?

The first requirement for a Canada passport is that you are a Canadian citizen. To acquire Canadian citizenship, you must:

Have a permanent resident permit
Have lived in Canada for at least three out of the last five years
Have filed your taxes (if applicable)
Pass a citizenship test on Canadian general knowledge
Prove your English or French language proficiency

After you’ve gained Canadian citizenship, you can apply for a Canada passport. For this, you’ll need a guarantor and two references who have known you for at least two years, and are not your guarantor or family members.

Passport applicants must also provide two replicated passport-size photographs with their passport applications; Canadian passport photo requirements for passport applications from the USA or other countries may differ from those of domestic passport applications.

What types of Canadian passports exist?

Regular passports: A Regular passport is a blue 36-page passport for ordinary Canadian citizens.

Diplomatic passport: A Diplomatic burgundy passport for Canadian diplomats, high-ranking government officials, and representatives and delegates of the government of Canada.

Special passports: A Special passport is a green passport for Canadian senators, members of parliament, and individuals employed by the government of Canada.

Temporary passports: A Temporary passport is a white passport issued to Canadian citizens waiting to receive a Special passport or Diplomatic passports, or Regular passports for ordinary Canadian passport clients with needs deemed urgent.

Canadian travel documents: These include a Refugee Travel Document, a Certificate of Identity document for stateless people and those unable to obtain a passport, and Emergency Travel Documents for Canadians residing outside of Canada or traveling abroad. An Emergency Travel Document is generally reserved for jeopardized passport clients.