Canada’s passport quietly got a makeover in 2023, with a fresh design and a stack of new security upgrades. The changes sparked plenty of chatter at the time, but most Canadians still don’t realize just how much is packed into that little booklet.
Beyond its updated look, the Canadian passport holds more quirks and secrets than you might expect.
Here are 9 things you never knew about your Canadian passport, including its hidden holograms and secret symbols.
It’s one of the world’s most powerful passports
The Canadian passport consistently ranks in the global top 10, with Henley & Partners ranking it eighth-most powerful in the world.
As of 2025, it gives you access to over 180 countries either visa-free or with a visa on arrival, making it one of the most travel-friendly passports on the planet. It doesn’t beat the likes of Singapore or Japan, but it still gets you further than the U.S. passport.
The ID page is made of plastic, not paper
A sample photo of a Canadian passport ID page.
canada.ca
The updated Canadian passport has a polycarbonate information page that feels more like a driver’s licence than a traditional document. Your photo and personal details are laser-engraved, not printed, making it harder to tamper with and more durable against water or wear.
It has a disappearing maple leaf
A sample photo of the disappearing maple leaf found on all Canadian passport ID pages.
ServiceCanadaE | YouTube
The latest design includes a red maple leaf on the ID page that vanishes when you rub it with your finger. It’s one of several new security tricks added to stop fraud and make counterfeiting nearly impossible.
It glows under UV light
Shine ultraviolet light on a Canadian passport, and the pages come alive. Hidden designs reveal glowing patterns — everything from Parliament lit up with fireworks to Niagara Falls glowing under the moon. The newest version, launched in 2023, features seasonal Canadian art like campfires, loons, and snowy animals, all invisible until UV light makes them appear.
It’s one way to entertain yourself while waiting in line at customs…
It lets you visit over 100 countries without a visa
From France to Jamaica to South Korea, Canadians can hop on a plane and stay for months without applying for a visa first. In some places, it’s 90 days, in others, up to a full year. Add in dozens more destinations where you can get a visa on arrival, and you’ve got serious travel freedom.
It comes in different colours
The blue passport is the one most Canadians know, but it’s not the only one available. There’s also the red diplomatic passport, the green special passport for government officials, and the white temporary passport, usually issued abroad if yours gets lost or stolen.
It’s one of the most expensive in the world
A 10-year Canadian passport costs $160, putting it among the priciest travel documents in the world. The five-year version is $120. That doesn’t include extras like rush service or photos, which can easily bump the total up. For comparison, a U.S. passport costs the equivalent of about $180 ($130 USD).
It’s officially granted by the Crown
Inside the cover, a message is written on behalf of the King. It asks other countries to allow the bearer to pass freely and receive protection. Before 2022, it was issued in the name of the Queen.
It has a data chip
A sample image of the data chip found within every new Canadian passport.
ServiceCanadaE | YouTube
Every Canadian passport issued now acts as an e-passport, meaning it contains an embedded electronic chip (similar to a credit or debit card) and antenna holding your personal data.
According to the Government of Canada’s website, the electronic chip:
- increases security
- reduces the risk of fraud
- provides greater protection against tampering
