Canadian Passport Power: Exploring Travel Privileges

Canadian passport holders enjoy visa-free access to a wide range of countries and territories worldwide, making it one of the strongest passports globally. Canadian citizens can travel to numerous destinations without a prior visa, with some countries offering extended visa-free stays for tourism or business purposes. Additionally, several countries provide visa-on-arrival facilities or require an electronic travel authorization (eTA) or electronic visa (eVisa) for Canadian travellers.

Visa-free countries

The Canadian passport is one of the strongest in the world, allowing Canadian citizens to travel to many countries without a visa, albeit for a limited time. Here is a list of some of the countries that Canadians can visit visa-free:

• European countries — Canadians can travel to most European nations without a visa. This includes countries in the Schengen Area, such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain, where they can stay for up to 90 days without a visa. From 2025, Canadians will need an ETIAS (European Travel Information and Authorisation System) to enter countries in the Schengen Area without a visa. Other European countries that don't require a visa include the United Kingdom (up to 6 months), Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Saint Kitts and Nevis.
• United States — Canadians can easily cross the border to the US and stay for up to 6 months without a visa.
• Caribbean nations — Many Caribbean countries are visa-exempt for Canadians, including the Cayman Islands, Antigua and Barbuda, Montserrat, and the British Virgin Islands.
• Asian countries — Canadians can visit South Korea and stay for up to 6 months without a visa. Other Asian countries that offer visa-free entry include the United Arab Emirates and Turks and Caicos Islands.

Please note that while a visa may not be required for entry, Canadian citizens must have a valid passport, and in some cases, an electronic travel authorization or registration may be necessary. It is always recommended to check the latest travel advice and entry requirements for your destination country.

Countries requiring an eVisa

The Canadian passport is one of the strongest passports in the world, allowing Canadian citizens to enter many countries without a visa. However, some countries require Canadian citizens to obtain an electronic visa, or eVisa, before travelling. Here is a list of countries that require an eVisa for Canadian citizens:

• Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• Brazil
• Central African Republic
• Republic of the Congo
• Democratic Republic of the Congo
• India
• Angola
• Australia
• Azerbaijan
• Bangladesh
• Belarus
• Belize
• Bhutan
• Brunei
• Burkina Faso
• Burundi
• Cambodia
• Cameroon
• Cape Verde
• China
• Comoros
• Djibouti
• Egypt
• Equatorial Guinea
• Eritrea
• Eswatini
• Ethiopia
• Fiji
• Gabon
• Guinea-Bissau
• Guinea
• Guyana
• Indonesia
• Iran
• Iraq
• Israel
• Jordan
• Kenya
• Kiribati
• Kuwait
• Laos
• Lebanon
• Liberia
• Libya
• Madagascar
• Malaysia
• Maldives
• Mali
• Marshall Islands
• Mauritania
• Micronesia
• Mongolia
• Morocco
• Myanmar
• Namibia
• Nauru
• Nepal
• Niger
• Nigeria
• Niue
• North Korea
• Oman
• Pakistan
• Palau
• Papua New Guinea
• Peru
• Philippines
• Qatar
• Rwanda
• Samoa
• Saudi Arabia
• Senegal
• Sierra Leone
• Singapore
• Solomon Islands
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Suriname
• Syria
• Taiwan
• Tajikistan
• Tanzania
• Thailand
• Timor-Leste
• Togo
• Tonga
• Trinidad and Tobago
• Tunisia
• Turkey
• Turkmenistan
• Uganda
• Ukraine
• United Arab Emirates
• Venezuela
• Vietnam
• Yemen
• Zambia
• Zimbabwe

It is important to note that the process and requirements for obtaining an eVisa may vary depending on the country, so Canadian citizens should always check the specific entry requirements and regulations for their destination country before planning their trip.

Countries requiring a visa on arrival

As of 2024, Canadian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival in 187 countries and territories. Here is a list of some of the countries that require a visa on arrival for Canadian citizens:

• Algeria: Passengers with a boarding authorization travelling as tourists to cities in southern Algeria can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum of 30 days. They must have a return/onward ticket and a hotel reservation confirmation.
• Antigua and Barbuda: Visitors can obtain a visa on arrival for a maximum stay of 120 days at a cost of 15,000 AMD.
• Azerbaijan: Canadians with a residence visa issued by the United Arab Emirates can obtain a 30-day tourist visa on arrival. They must present their valid visa or residence permit along with their passport.
• Bangladesh: A visa on arrival is available at Dhaka, Chittagong, and Sylhet international airports. A pre-arrival visa is required if arriving by sea or land border crossing.
• Belarus: Visa-free access is available for up to 30 days for travellers who arrive and depart via Minsk International Airport and are not arriving from or planning to depart to a Russian Federation airport. Visas can be issued on arrival if support documents are submitted at least three business days in advance.
• Belize: Visa-free access is available for up to 30 days for travellers who arrive and depart via the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport.
• Burkina Faso: The Canadian government advises against visiting due to security concerns, but if you must travel there, you can obtain a visa on arrival.
• Burundi: From December 2021, passengers from all countries that previously required a visa can now obtain visas on arrival at Bujumbura International Airport and all land borders.
• Cameroon: The Canadian government advises against non-essential travel due to the risk of terrorism and kidnapping, but if you must travel there, you can obtain a visa on arrival.
• Central African Republic: The Canadian government advises against all travel due to unstable security conditions and violent crime, but if you must travel there, you can obtain a visa on arrival.
• Chad: Canadians can now apply for an e-Visa to visit Chad.
• Colombia: A tourist visa can be obtained on arrival for 256,000 Colombian Pesos (equivalent to CAD$85). Passengers older than 79 or younger than 14 are exempt from this fee.
• Congo: The Canadian government advises against non-essential travel due to the risk of terrorism and kidnapping, but if you must travel there, you can obtain a visa on arrival.
• Democratic Republic of the Congo: The Canadian government advises against non-essential travel due to the risk of terrorism and kidnapping, but if you must travel there, you can obtain a visa on arrival.
• Egypt: According to Timatic, citizens of Canada may enter Egypt without a visa at Sharm el-Sheikh, Saint Catherine, or Taba airports for a maximum stay of 15 days.
• Ethiopia: An e-Visa must be obtained before arrival, and e-Visa holders must arrive via Addis Ababa Bole International Airport.
• Grenada: Beginning December 1, 2020, all travellers to Grenada are required to complete an online application to receive a Pure Safe Travel Authorisation Certificate to enter the country.
• Guinea: Citizens of Canada who obtain an e-Visa can stay in Guinea for up to five years.
• Haiti: The Canadian government advises against all travel due to the threat posed by kidnappings, gang violence, and civil unrest.
• Indonesia: All travellers to Indonesia must apply for a health pass called "SATUSEHAT Health Pass" before visiting the archipelago.
• Iran: Canadian citizens travelling to Iran must do so with a fully organised tour. Tourists visiting Kish Island do not require a visa for up to 14 days. The Canadian government advises against all travel to Iran due to security concerns.
• Iraq: Canadian citizens can obtain a visa on arrival at Iraq's airports, land, and sea crossings for 60 days for a fee of USD 75. The Canadian government advises against all travel to Iraq due to security concerns.
• Jordan: A visa can be obtained upon arrival for a total of USD 40, obtainable at most international ports of entry and land border crossings (except King Hussein/Allenby Bridge).
• Kenya: An Electronic Travel Authorisation is required. Applications can be submitted up to 90 days before travel and must be submitted at least three days in advance. The fee is USD 32.50.
• Laos: An e-Visa may be used to enter Laos through specific international airports, Thai-Lao Friendship Bridges, and border crossings.
• Lebanon: A free visa on arrival is available, extendable for up to two additional months. This is granted at Beirut International Airport or any other port of entry if there is no Israeli visa or seal, and the traveller holds a telephone number and an address in Lebanon, along with a non-refundable return or circle trip ticket. The Canadian government advises against all travel to Lebanon due to security concerns.
• Liberia: Passengers can obtain a visa on arrival if they have a confirmation that a visa has been approved before departure, start their journey in a country without diplomatic representation of Liberia, and have a local sponsor in Liberia who has pre-arranged and paid for the visa.
• Libya: Compulsory Currency Exchange: Visitors travelling to Libya for tourism purposes must convert USD 1,000 or its equivalent in freely convertible cash upon arrival.
• Mali: The Canadian government advises against all travel due to security concerns, but if you must travel there, you can obtain a visa on arrival.
• Mauritania: The

Countries requiring an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA)

Canadian citizens can travel to a large number of countries with an Electronic Travel Authorisation (ETA). An ETA is a digital travel document that eligible travellers who do not need a visa can obtain online before their trip. The eligibility for an ETA depends on the traveller's nationality and the destination country. Here are some countries that require an ETA for Canadian citizens:

• Australia: Canadian passport holders can stay in Australia for up to 90 days with an ETA.
• New Zealand: New Zealand has an ETA system, and Canadian citizens can stay for up to 90 days.
• South Korea: Canadians are exempt from the South Korean ETA requirement until December 31, 2025.
• Europe: Europe will launch ETIAS, an ETA system, in 2025. Canadian citizens will need an ETIAS to travel to the European Schengen Area without a visa.
• United Kingdom: Canadian citizens can enter the United Kingdom without a visa and stay for up to six months.
• United States: Canadian citizens can enter the United States without a visa and stay for up to six months.

Countries with visa requirements

As of 2024, Canadian citizens require a visa to enter 19 countries. These include:

• The Central African Republic
• The Republic of the Congo
• Sudan

The Canadian government advises its citizens not to visit several countries due to security concerns, political instability, and the potential for violent crime, including:

• Afghanistan
• Belarus
• Burkina Faso
• Haiti
• Iran
• Iraq
• Lebanon
• Mali
• Myanmar
• Niger
• North Korea
• Russia
• Somalia
• South Sudan
• Syria
• Ukraine
• Venezuela
• Yemen

Canadian citizens are required to obtain an eVisa to enter a further 18 countries, including:

• The Democratic Republic of the Congo
• Côte d'Ivoire (Ivory Coast)
• The United Arab Emirates
• The United States of America

Canadian passport holders are also eligible to obtain an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to visit several countries, including Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

Frequently asked questions