The UAE passport has officially entered the major league, now ranking 5th strongest in the world in the 2026 Henley Index. With access to 184 countries visa-free, Emiratis can enjoy more travel freedom than ever before: the EU, the UK, Thailand, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, New Zealand, the Maldives, and Japan, just to name a few.
This marks a significant rise, up from 10th place just last year, and an impressive leap from its modest 38th position in 2016. Today, the UAE is ranked alongside countries like Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia.
In the past 10 years, the country has gained visa-free access to 149 additional destinations, making it one of the world’s fastest-improving passports.
Henley Passport Index is the most trusted ranking system. It ranks passports based on the number of destinations their holders can visit without requiring a visa.
For some UAE residents from other countries, here’s a look at where they stand in 2026:
- UK and Australia: 7th place
- Russia and Turkey: 46th place
- Qatar: 47th place
- Kuwait: 50th place
- Saudi Arabia: 54th place
- Bahrain: 55th place
- Oman: 57th place
- India: 80th place
The top spots are still held by Singapore (1st place with 192 visa-free destinations) and Japan and South Korea (2nd place with 188 destinations), but the UAE’s rise has been nothing short of impressive. European countries Denmark, Luxembourg, Spain, and Sweden share third place with access to 186 destinations.
For Emiratis, this new ranking unlocks even more travel opportunities. Whether you’re heading to London or Tokyo, you have less visa hassles. Plus, some UAE national carriers not only offer direct flights to top destinations worldwide, but they’ve also been ranked among the safest airlines globally in 2026: another reason to feel proud of where you’re flying from!
Keep an eye out for more updates on global rankings and travel news!
