Emirati passport has added 153 new visa-free locations since 2006, marking one of the vital largest rises in international mobility ratings
Dubai: The UAE has retained its place as the arena’s 2nd maximum robust passport, with Emirati electorate in a position to go into 188 locations with out acquiring a visa upfront or through receiving a visa on arrival, consistent with the newest Henley Passport Index 2026.
The success displays the energy of the UAE’s diplomatic family members and the continuing growth of its community of world agreements.
For the reason that release of the Henley Passport Index in 2006, the UAE has added 153 new locations to its visa-free and visa-on-arrival get right of entry to checklist, emerging from a mid-ranking place to develop into one of the vital global’s maximum robust passports. The UAE’s growth is thought of as one of the vital important enhancements recorded within the index’s historical past.
Dr Christian Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Companions and writer of the index, stated passport energy has develop into a key indicator of a rustic’s geopolitical affect.
“Passport power is one of the clearest expressions of a country’s geopolitical capital. The strongest passports belong to nations that other countries want as partners for trade, investment, security and international cooperation,” he stated.
The document additionally highlighted a broader growth in international commute freedom. The common choice of locations obtainable with out a prior visa rose to 108 in 2026, when compared with simply 58 locations when the index used to be first introduced two decades in the past.
Singapore retained the highest spot within the rating, providing visa-free or visa-on-arrival get right of entry to to 192 locations. The UAE shared 2nd position with Japan and South Korea, with get right of entry to to 188 locations. Sweden ranked 3rd with 187 locations.
Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Eire, Italy, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway and Spain shared fourth position, with get right of entry to to 186 locations, whilst Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland ranked 5th with get right of entry to to 185 locations.
