UAE named in top 10 in Henley Passport Index
Well, get busy with your travel plans because the UAE has just soared into the top 10 of the world's most powerful passports, grabbing the 8th spot.
The coveted Henley Passport Index ranking reveals that UAE passport holders can jet off to 184 countries and territories without the hassle of a visa — talk about a golden ticket.
The Henley Passport Index ranks all the world's passports based on the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa.
Let's rewind a bit.
The UAE passport has been one of the biggest climbers in the past decade, moving up 34 places from 42nd to 8th. The UAE shares the top 10 spot with Canada and Estonia.
And this massive rise is no accident.
The UAE's strategic diplomatic moves and tireless negotiations have paid off, transforming its passport into a formidable travel companion. What started as a humble passport allowing entry to just 35 destinations is now a powerhouse of global mobility.
The world's most powerful passports
Other passports of note to the Dubai population include the UK passport, which is ranked in 6th place, ahead of the Australian passport in 7th.
The Russian passport ranks in 46th, alongside the Turkish passport, and one place ahead of Qatar which is one slot above South Africa.
Saudi Arabia shares 54th place with Guyana and Vanuatu, placing one ranking higher than Bahrain. The Omani passport is one place below in 56th.
The Philippines shares 72nd spot with Mongolia and Sierra Leone with visa-free access to 65 countries.
India shares 77th position with Burkina Faso, the Ivory Coast and Senegal with visa-free access to 59 countries.
The Jordanian passport is 84th, the Egyptian is 85th, Lebanon is 89th, Iran is 91st, Bangladesh is 94th and Pakistan is 96th.
Curious about the top 10? Here's the latest lineup:
Rank Country Visa-Free Destinations 1 Singapore 193 2 Japan, South Korea 190 3 Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Spain 189 4 Austria, Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Sweden 188 5 Greece, New Zealand, Switzerland 187 6 United Kingdom 186 7 Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland 185 8 Canada, Estonia, UAE 184 9 Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia 183 10 Iceland, Lithuania, United States of America 182
Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, said: 'Your passport is no longer just a travel document — it's a reflection of your country's diplomatic influence and international relationships.
'In an era of growing inequality and mounting geopolitical uncertainty, strategic mobility and citizenship planning are more critical than ever.'
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