The UAE passport has been ranked among the top 10 most powerful in the world, according to the Henley Passport Index released on Tuesday. The country now holds the 9th position, boasting a visa-free score of 185 countries and territories.
This impressive climb sees the UAE advancing 53 places since the index's inception in 2006, moving from 62nd to its current 9th position. The UAE has added 152 destinations to its visa-free list, reflecting significant diplomatic efforts.
The Henley Passport Index is the original and authoritative ranking of all the world’s passports based on the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The index relies on exclusive data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), processed by Henley and Partners’ research team.
Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley and Partners, praised the UAE’s rapid rise, attributing it to the Emirati government's deliberate efforts to position the UAE as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment.
"Our research consistently shows a strong correlation between a country’s visa-free score and its economic prosperity,"
he said.
"Nations with higher visa-free scores tend to enjoy greater GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment, and more robust international trade relationships.”
Global Rankings
Singapore has reclaimed its title as the “world’s most powerful passport” with its citizens enjoying access to 195 travel destinations out of 227 around the world visa-free. France, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Spain are in joint-2nd place, each with visa-free access to 192 destinations.
Seven countries share the third spot with visa-free access to 191 destinations: Austria, Finland, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, South Korea, and Sweden. The UK, Belgium, Denmark, New Zealand, Norway, and Switzerland are in fourth place with a visa-free destination score of 190.
Australia and Portugal share the 5th spot with access to 189 destinations. Greece and Poland are in the 6th position with a score of 188, followed by Canada, Czechia, Hungary, and Malta in 7th place with access to 187 destinations. The US has dropped to the 8th spot with visa-free access to 186 destinations.
In the 9th position alongside the UAE are Estonia and Lithuania, each with a visa-free score of 185. Iceland, Latvia, Slovakia, and Slovenia round out the top 10, each with a score of 184.
Understanding the Rankings
The Henley Passport Index includes 199 different passports and 227 different travel destinations. The ranking compares the visa-free access of these passports. A score of 1 is assigned if no visa is required, including visa on arrival (VOA), a visitor’s permit, or an electronic travel authority (ETA). If a visa is required or a government-approved electronic visa (e-Visa) is needed before departure, a score of 0 is assigned. The total score for each passport equals the number of destinations for which no visa is required.
For the complete rankings, visit the Henley Passport Index website.
News Source: Khaleej Times
