UAE passport ranks 5th worldwide on Henley Index 2026, leading Middle East

The United Arab Emirates has achieved a historic milestone, rising to fifth place in the 2026 Henley Passport Index. This achievement reflects decades of strategic diplomacy and global engagement, establishing the UAE as a leading nation in passport strength. The UAE passport now stands fifth in the world, overtaking traditionally strong travel documents such as those of the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, and the United States. In the Middle East, it holds the top position, making it the region’s most powerful passport. Singapore remains the only country ahead, granting visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 192 destinations, but the UAE has made remarkable progress to close the gap.Over the past 20 years, the UAE has recorded the most significant long-term rise of any country on the Henley Passport Index, climbing an unprecedented 57 places since 2006. During this period, Emirati citizens gained visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 149 additional destinations, the largest increase in the index’s 20-year history. This milestone reflects sustained efforts in diplomacy, proactive international engagement, and the strengthening of bilateral and multilateral partnerships.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley & Partners and creator of the index, described the UAE’s rise as “without parallel,” noting that long-term vision, political stability, and strategic diplomacy have directly translated into tangible mobility benefits for citizens while enhancing the country’s global soft power. The expansion of the UAE passport’s reach underscores the nation’s emergence as a global leader in building constructive international relationships. With access to 184 countries, Emirati citizens enjoy unprecedented freedom to travel for tourism, business, and personal purposes, positioning the UAE among the world’s most mobile nations.