UAE Passport Achieves Global Power Status

The United Arab Emirates Passport Becomes World's Fifth Strongest by 2026

According to the latest data from the Henley Passport Index, which ranks the power of passports, the United Arab Emirates passport has achieved a historic success: in 2026, it will occupy the fifth position on the global list. This achievement is not merely a number in the ranking, but a testament to the conscious and consistent foreign policy strategy the country has followed over the past two decades.

A Decade of Diplomatic Effort

In 2006, the UAE passport allowed visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry into just 149 countries, placing it around the 62nd spot in the ranking. Today, the number of visa-free destinations has increased to 184, surpassing the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and even Canada at the top of the list.

Several factors are behind this development: diplomatic openness, visa liberalization agreements, a stable domestic political environment, and economic influence. Together, these have contributed to the UAE passport reaching parity with countries such as Hungary, Portugal, Slovakia, and Slovenia.

Which Countries Can Be Easily Visited with a UAE Passport?

Holders of a UAE passport can visit destinations visa-free such as:

Austria, Belgium, United Kingdom, Thailand, Switzerland, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Norway, New Zealand, Maldives, Germany

This list clearly shows that the UAE passport offers outstanding possibilities not only for tourism but also for business travel. The freedom offered by the passport today is not just a prestige but a strategic advantage in a global world where travel restrictions are becoming ever stricter and unpredictable.

The Evolution of Passport Rankings Over the Years

The UAE passport's position in the Henley Index changed as follows:

2016: 38th place, 2018: 21st place, 2019: 15th place, 2024: 11th place, 2025: 10th place, 2026: 5th place

This continuous advancement is unique globally. Most countries stagnate or even fall back in the rankings, but the UAE has been able to improve its position every year, a phenomenon that is extremely rare.

What Does This Mean for Residents and Investors?

Global mobility has significantly appreciated in value today. In uncertain geopolitical contexts such as wars, trade wars, visa restrictions, or pandemic lockdowns, holding a strong passport offers concrete advantages. UAE citizens can move freely nearly worldwide, enabling them not only for free tourism but also for expanding their education, healthcare, investments, or business relationships quickly and easily.

This advantage is also making UAE citizenship increasingly attractive to those seeking opportunities as investors, businesspeople, or digital nomads to increase their mobility.

Passport as a Measure of Security and Political Stability

Experts say that the 'strength' of a passport is not just a legal or technical issue. As an international lawyer put it: 'The value of the passport reflects political stability, diplomatic credibility, and the country's international weight.' Over the past two decades, the United Arab Emirates has chosen a path that has brought security, predictability, and international recognition to its residents.

Today, this passport serves as a kind of 'security reserve,' a 'Plan B' for many looking to secure themselves against future instabilities by thinking like global citizens.

42 Countries Still Require Visas

It's important to note that there are still 42 countries where a visa is required with the UAE passport. However, these primarily include states where entry regulations are generally stricter, regardless of passport type. The prevailing trend, however, is that the UAE aims to expand visa-free opportunities and strengthen diplomatic relations worldwide.

Conclusion

By 2026, the United Arab Emirates passport is not just a travel document but a global status symbol. As the fifth strongest passport in the world, it symbolizes the long-term strategy built on the country's stability, openness, and diplomatic flexibility. The UAE has become a center of power not only economically but also in terms of political and international mobility, which is now recognized globally – stamped in the passport.

(Source based on Henley Passport Index.)