Passports are essential while traveling abroad—with each nation’s document having its own “power” determined by the number of countries its holders can travel to visa-free.
Are you a US or Canadian passport holder who wants to discover your passport’s rank? Or maybe you have dual citizenship and want to explore the differences between both passports?
It doesn’t matter if you hold an American or Canadian passport—with Passport Photo Online, you can create a 100% compliant passport photo for either document! Try our Passport Photo Booth App for iOS or Passport Photo Maker App for Android today.
Interested in other comparisons concerning passports and passport photos? Read this:
Passport Indexes as of 2024
The most well-known passport ranking system is the Henley Passport Index updated annually by Henley & Partners.
Every year the company analyzes passports from all over the world and compares them in terms of their mobility, i.e., how many countries their holders can visit without a visa.
US and Canadian passports have always ranked in the top 10. This hasn’t changed for this year, and is unlikely to change significantly in the foreseeable future.
Canadian passport ranking
In the 2024 index, Canada scored 6th place—along with Czechia, Poland, and the US.
Currently, Canadian passport holders have visa-free access to 189 countries. This number also includes countries where Canadians will receive a visa upon arrival.
Apart from visas, the Canadian government still requires citizens and tourists to carry an eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization).
Although this document is electronically embedded in a passport, everyone must apply for it before traveling. If you hold a Canadian passport, you’ll need an eTA to travel to South Korea or Australia, for example.
US passport ranking
In previous rankings (2022 and 2023), American passport holders were able to travel visa-free to 186 and 185 countries, respectively.
In 2024, according to Henley & Partners’ ranking, this number increased to 189 countries, placing the US passport in 6th position in terms of mobility.
Passport photo requirements: comparison
Now, if you want—or need—to apply for either a Canadian or American passport, one of the most important things to remember is a compliant passport photo.
Compare the photo requirements for these two countries in the table below.
Passport Photo Requirements: US vs. Canada
| US | Canada | |
|---|---|---|
| Size | 2×2 inches (51×51 mm) | 50×70 mm |
| Background | Plain white or off-white | Plain white or light-colored |
| Head height | Between 1 and 1 ⅜ inch | Between 31 and 36 mm |
| Photo color | In color | In color or black-and-white |
Looking for more details? Read this comprehensive Q&A about US passport photos or get acquainted with Canadian passport photo requirements.
FAQ
How powerful is a Canadian passport?
Can you have a Canadian passport and a US passport?
Don’t forget about your biometric photograph! With Passport Photo Online, you can create one within minutes from the comfort of your home. 100% compliance guaranteed.
Key takeaway
Canadian and US passports are strong travel documents, allowing their holders to visit many countries without additional identification.
They’re very close in the Henley & Partner ranking—with the Canadian passport in 8th, and the US passport in 9th position on the list.
Sources
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/
- https://www.henleyglobal.com/passport-index/ranking
Roxana is a writer with 3+ years of experience. As a Master in psycholinguistics, she blends her passion for language and communication with insights from diverse cultures, making her content resonate with a broad audience.
