Canada boasts the 5th most powerful passport in the world for 2017

Jan 14 2017, 5:02 am

Canada has tied for fifth place on a global survey that ranks how powerful passports are from each country in the world.

What makes a passport powerful and why should you care?

It’s all about global mobility; the freedom to travel and move around the world, and according to The Passport Index created by Arton Capital, it’s based on the number of countries which grant visa-free access to each passport holder.

powerful passport

Passport Index

Germany takes top spot this year out of 94 rankings assigned from a pool of 199 countries considered. The powerful ranking is a reflection of the country’s positive diplomatic relations and affords its citizens visa-free border crossing at 157 countries.

At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan, whose passport holders are limited to just 23 countries where they can breeze through borders without being subjected to heavy vetting.

powerful passport

Passport Index

Canada ties for fifth most powerful passport with Malaysia, Ireland, and New Zealand with a VFS (visa-free score) of 153. Canadian passport holders will find themselves welcome to enter 110 countries visa-free and with visas on arrival at an additional 43 countries.

Perhaps what’s most surprising is how, despite public perception of being a welcoming nation, Canada actually ranks rather low when it comes to reciprocating.

When it comes to welcoming others into our country, Canada ranks 76, requiring visas from all but 52 other nations when opening our borders.

powerful passport

Passport Index

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