TL;DR
- UAE ranks 8th globally, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries.
- It’s the only country in the Middle East to make it into the Henley Passport Index Top 10.
- The UAE jumped 34 places in 10 years, the biggest climb ever recorded in the index.
The United Arab Emirates has become one of the world’s top players in passport strength, now ranked 8th globally in the 2025 Henley Passport Index. Emirati citizens can now travel to 184 destinations without applying for a visa beforehand, either visa-free or with visa-on-arrival access.This wasn’t always the case. A decade ago, UAE passport holders could enter just 35 countries without a prior visa. The country ranked 42nd at the time. Fast forward to today, and the UAE has not only entered the global top 10, but it has also recorded the largest leap in rankings ever seen in the 20-year history of the index.What’s even more notable? The UAE is the only country from the Middle East to appear in the global Top 10. It now sits beside long-established global passport leaders like Canada, Estonia, and EU nations.The rise is a clear result of years of active diplomacy, strategic partnerships, and negotiated visa waivers across continents. This isn’t just about travel convenience. It also reflects the UAE’s growing presence in global affairs, economics, and international cooperation.
What is the Henley Passport Index?
The Henley Passport Index ranks passports based on how many countries they give access to without a visa. It includes 199 passports and 227 destinations.This isn’t just a yearly snapshot. The index has been tracking travel freedom since 2006 and is often used by governments and policy experts. The 2025 update shows just how much has changed over the last decade, especially for countries like the UAE.
UAE’s Big Leap
The UAE’s rise isn’t accidental. It’s the outcome of consistent foreign policy efforts aimed at improving its citizens’ global mobility.
- In 2015, the UAE passport gave access to only 35 countries.
- By 2025, that number rose to 185, a 34-spot jump.
- This is the largest improvement by any country in the index’s history.
Diplomatic efforts have played a big part. The UAE has signed dozens of visa-waiver agreements over the past few years, especially with European, Asian, and Latin American countries. These deals opened new travel options for citizens and made the passport far more useful globally.Now, with its 8th-place ranking, the UAE sits next to long-standing passport powerhouses. It’s also the only country from the Middle East to break into the top 10.
Where the Middle East Stands
The region as a whole is making gains. Several Gulf countries have improved their rankings in 2025:
- Saudi Arabia now ranks 54th, with visa-free access to 91 countries.
- Qatar is ranked 47th, with access to 112 countries.
- Bahrain and Oman follow closely, at 55th and 56th, with access to 90 and 88 countries respectively.
Part of this boost comes from China’s recent decision to allow visa-free entry to citizens of Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, and Saudi Arabia. That move has given Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) citizens more access than ever before.Still, none of these countries have matched the UAE’s surge. It remains a clear outlier in regional passport strength.
Who’s in the Global Top 10?
The strongest passport in 2025 belongs to Singapore, whose citizens can travel visa-free to 193 destinations.Here’s how the rest of the Top 10 looks:
- Singapore (193)
- Japan, South Korea (190)
- France, Germany, Spain, Italy, Finland, Denmark, Ireland (189)
- Sweden, Portugal, Austria, Netherlands (188)
- Greece, Switzerland, New Zealand (187)
- United Kingdom (186)
- Australia, Czechia, Hungary, Malta, Poland (185)
- UAE, Canada, Estonia (184)
- Croatia, Latvia, Slovakia, Slovenia (183)
- United States, Lithuania, Iceland (182)
The US, once a dominant force, is now on the edge of falling out of the Top 10, a first in the index’s 20-year history.
Risers and Fallers: India, Saudi Arabia, and the US
Some countries saw dramatic changes this year:
- India made the biggest ranking jump, climbing eight spots to 77th. That’s despite gaining only two more visa-free destinations, now totaling 59.
- Saudi Arabia added four new destinations since January, moving up to 54th.
- The US and UK both slipped one place, continuing a downward trend that’s lasted years.
The changes reflect shifts in diplomatic influence, global travel policies, and how nations respond to changing visa demands.Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the 2025 ranking, with its passport allowing access to only 25 destinations.
FAQ
- 1. How many countries can UAE passport holders visit without a visa?
As of 2025, UAE citizens can travel to 185 countries without needing a visa in advance.
- 2. Why did the UAE passport rise in the rankings so quickly?
The rise is due to strong diplomatic outreach and multiple visa waiver agreements over the last decade.
- 3. Is the UAE passport the strongest in the Middle East?
Yes. It’s the only passport from the region ranked in the global Top 10 and remains the highest-ranked in the Middle East.
