The UAE passport is now the world’s 8th most powerful and the strongest in the Arab region, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index. With visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 183 destinations, this achievement reflects the UAE’s successful foreign policy and global partnerships.
Dubai, July 2025 – The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has reached a major milestone in global mobility. According to the Henley Passport Index mid-year report for 2025, the UAE passport is now ranked 8th globally and is the most powerful in the Arab world. This achievement marks the highest position ever reached by any Arab country in the index.
With access to 183 destinations visa-free or with visa-on-arrival, the UAE passport reflects the country’s growing diplomatic strength and international cooperation.
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The UAE’s passport has seen one of the most dramatic improvements in the past decade. In 2015, it was ranked 42nd. Now, in 2025, it stands at 8th — a rise of 34 places. This makes it one of the fastest-rising passports in the history of the Henley Passport Index.
The country’s success is largely due to its proactive foreign policy and the many visa waiver agreements it has signed with countries across Asia, Europe, Africa, and the Americas. A recent agreement with China, allowing visa-free entry to citizens of all Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, has further boosted the UAE’s position.
The Henley Passport Index is a global ranking of the world’s passports based on how many destinations their holders can enter without a visa in advance. The data comes from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), which maintains the world’s largest travel information database. The index is updated regularly and includes research from Henley & Partners.
The higher a passport’s ranking, the more freedom its holders have when it comes to international travel.
Singapore continues to hold the number one spot, offering its citizens access to 193 countries without needing a visa in advance. Japan and South Korea are in second place with access to 190 destinations. Several European countries, such as Germany, France, Italy, and Spain, are tied in third place.
The UAE, now ranked 8th, has surpassed many traditional Western powers and holds the top position in the Arab region.
While the UAE climbs the rankings, some traditional leaders have seen a drop. The United Kingdom is now in 6th place, and the United States has fallen to 10th. Experts suggest this decline is due to increasingly strict immigration rules and fewer new visa agreements in recent years.
At the bottom of the index, Afghanistan remains the least powerful passport, offering access to just 25 countries without a prior visa.
Dr Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners, commented that these results reflect a major change in global travel power. He said that emerging countries are opening up and building stronger diplomatic ties, while traditional powers are becoming more inward-focused.
This shift shows how global mobility is changing, with countries like the UAE investing in international relationships and long-term travel freedom for their citizens.
The UAE’s position in the top 10 reflects more than just passport strength. It highlights the country’s overall progress in diplomacy, global outreach, and economic development. As a major travel and business hub, the UAE continues to lead the region in innovation, policy, and international cooperation.
This latest passport ranking is a moment of national pride and shows how far the country has come on the world stage.
