The United Arab Emirates’ passport has risen to second place in the latest Henley Passport Index 2026, the highest ranking in its 20-year history. Citizens of the UAE now have visa-free access to 187 destinations, sharing the position with South Korea and Japan.
UAE Passport Achieves Record Ranking
The UAE’s passport climbed three places since January, marking a significant increase in global mobility. Over the past two decades, the passport has steadily improved its ranking, moving from 62nd in 2006 to 38th a decade later, and 10th globally last year.
Experts attribute the rise to the country’s expanding economic ties, strategic visa policies, and strengthened bilateral and multilateral partnerships. These factors have collectively enhanced the UAE’s global standing.
Singapore continues to hold the top spot as the world’s most powerful passport, providing visa-free access to 192 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index, which tracks travel freedom across 227 countries and territories, utilizes data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA). It ranks 199 passports based on the number of destinations accessible without a prior visa, and is updated regularly to reflect changing visa regulations. The index is widely recognized as a key indicator of global mobility.
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