The UAE passport has once again secured the top spot as the world's most powerful passport in 2026, according to the latest rankings released by Passport Index by Arton Capital.
With a global mobility score of 182, the UAE outperformed several of the world's strongest passports, including Singapore and Spain, which shared second place with scores of 175. The achievement highlights the UAE's growing influence on the global stage and its continued success in building strong diplomatic and international partnerships.
Unmatched Global Travel Freedom
UAE citizens now enjoy one of the highest levels of travel freedom in the world.
According to the 2026 rankings, UAE passport holders can travel to:
- 127 countries without a visa
- 45 countries with visa-on-arrival access
- 10 countries through electronic travel authorization (eTA)
- Only 16 destinations require a visa before travel
The passport also recorded an impressive world reach score of 91%, reflecting the country's extensive global connectivity and the ease with which Emirati citizens can travel internationally.
For business professionals, tourists, and investors, this level of mobility offers significant advantages and further strengthens the UAE's position as an international hub.
A Remarkable Rise Over the Years
The UAE passport's journey to the top has been one of the most impressive success stories in global mobility rankings.
Its mobility score has steadily improved over recent years:
- 2021: 160
- 2022: 181
- 2024: 180
- 2025: 179
- 2026: 182
This steady rise is the result of the UAE's long-term diplomatic strategy, which has focused on expanding bilateral agreements, strengthening international relations, and increasing cooperation with countries around the world.
Today, the UAE passport is widely regarded as one of the country's most valuable global assets.
Europe Dominates the Top Rankings
Although the UAE claimed first place, European countries continued to occupy many of the top positions in the Passport Index.
Countries sharing the third position globally include:
- Belgium
- France
- Germany
- Switzerland
- Sweden
- Italy
- Portugal
- Netherlands
- Finland
- Austria
- Norway
- Ireland
Meanwhile, passports from Japan, South Korea, Malta, Hungary, and Poland ranked among the world's fourth most powerful, reflecting the strong travel privileges enjoyed by citizens of these nations.
UAE Leads the Arab World by a Wide Margin
The UAE remains the only Arab country to feature among the world's top 10 passports.
Other Gulf nations ranked considerably lower in the latest index:
- Qatar: 41st place
- Kuwait: 42nd place
- Saudi Arabia: 46th place
- Bahrain: 47th place
The significant gap highlights the UAE's exceptional progress in expanding visa-free travel agreements and strengthening its diplomatic footprint across different regions.
For Emirati citizens, the ranking translates into greater convenience, fewer travel restrictions, and easier access to global opportunities.
US and UK Rank Below UAE
The latest report also showed that some of the world's most influential countries ranked below the UAE in overall passport strength.
The United States passport was placed ninth globally with a mobility score of 168, while the United Kingdom ranked seventh with a score of 170.
Although both passports continue to offer extensive travel benefits, neither matched the UAE's level of international access and mobility in 2026.
More Than Just a Passport
The UAE's rise to the top is about more than travel convenience.
The country's leadership has spent years investing in international partnerships, trade agreements, tourism initiatives, and diplomatic relations that have strengthened its global standing.
The passport's growing power reflects this broader vision — one focused on openness, connectivity, and creating opportunities for its citizens around the world.
As the UAE continues to expand its influence across business, tourism, technology, and international diplomacy, the strength of its passport is likely to remain one of the country's greatest achievements.
For now, the UAE passport stands proudly at the top of the global rankings, offering its citizens unparalleled freedom to explore, connect, and do business across the world.
