UAE passport rises two positions in 2025 Henley Index

YOUSUF SAIFUDDIN (ABU DHABI)

The UAE passport continues to top the charts year-on-year, thanks to its diplomatic heft on the world stage, and in 2025, not only has it become the first and only Arab country to break into the top 10 of the Henley Passport Index for the year, but has also risen to 8th position in the esteemed rankings. 

Climbing two spots to number 8 – as of July 2025 – from number 10 at the beginning of the year, UAE citizens can enjoy visa-free travel to 184 destinations. 

Singapore continues to dominate the list with access to 193 destinations as per latest updates on the Henley and Partners website, with Japan and South Korea bagging second position with 190. 

Afghanistan is way down at the bottom of the rankings, at No. 103, with visa-free access to just 25 destinations, while Syria is at No. 105 (27 destinations).

The UAE passport has earned the distinction, over the past 10 years, to become the most powerful passport in the Gulf and wider Middle East region.

It's taken just 10 years to add 72 destinations as it jumped 34 places in the coveted rankings.

"The UAE is one of the biggest climbers on the index over the past decade," said the statement from Henley's. Data for the survey was obtained from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).

The UAE shares the position with Canada and Estonia as it continues to change the travel paradigm and leads the modern Arab renaissance that is driven by tolerance, and smart technology while staying true to its hospitality roots and cultural heritage.

The UAE's ascent in passport rankings can be attributed to the wise leaderships' resolute determination to extend the principles of peace, stability, and prosperity in the region and beyond by continuing to strengthen partnerships, enhance multilateral cooperation, and foster meaningful dialogue.

The country actively engages in economic diplomacy to attract foreign investment and promote trade, while also championing peace and security through international collaboration.

As home to five of the world's top 10 safest cities, the UAE has won the confidence of the world as a safe and stable haven for work and living, enabling it to leverage this unique position in a volatile world to build partnerships, including mutual visa-waiver agreements across the world.

While Denmark and Ireland rose to 3rd rank with visa-free travel to 189 destinations, Austria, Luxembourg, the Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden share 4th place with 188 destinations.

Countries like Belgium and Portugal also climbed a notch to number 4.

Other popular tourism spots, such as Switzerland (187 destinations), and the UK (186 destinations), dropped to 5th and 6th place, respectively.

The US dropped to 10th place with 182 destinations.