The UAE passport has been ranked as the fifth strongest passport in the world in the Henley & Partners Passport Index 2026, marking a significant rise of five positions compared to last year.
With this ranking, the UAE passport now surpasses those of New Zealand, Australia, the United Kingdom, Canada, Iceland, and the United States. The UAE shares the fifth position alongside Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
UAE passport holders currently enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries worldwide. Singapore topped the global rankings with access to 192 destinations, followed by Japan and South Korea in second place. Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, and Sweden jointly secured the third position.
Key Visa-Free Destinations for UAE Passport Holders
Some of the major visa-free and visa-on-arrival destinations for UAE passport holders include:
Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom, Thailand, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Maldives, and Germany.
According to Henley & Partners, the UAE has recorded the most impressive performance globally over the past 20 years. Since 2006, the country has added 149 visa-free destinations to its passport access. Through sustained diplomatic engagement and visa liberalisation efforts, the UAE has climbed 57 places in the rankings, reaching fifth position with access to 184 destinations.
