MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE passport topped the 2026 Passport Index published by Arton Capital, extending its streak as the world’s most powerful to nine consecutive years.
Data from the global advisory firm’s latest rankings showed a record-breaking mobility score of 182 for the country.
Holders of the UAE passport can access 127 destinations visa-free, 45 with visa on arrival, and 10 through electronic travel authorisation (eTA), according to the report.
This gives Emirati citizens access to 91% of the world, with visas required for just 16 countries.
The UAE has ranked first in the index since 2018, a strong lead attributed to sustained diplomatic engagement and a long-term mobility strategy led by the country’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
“This is a standout year for the Passport Index, with record highs achieved by the UAE,” said Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital and co-founder of the Passport Index.
“Despite ongoing geopolitical tensions, the UAE remains unshakeable in its relevance on the global stage.”
According to Arton, the country has seen one of the most dramatic climbs in modern passport history since the launch of the UAE Passport Force Initiative in 2017, rising from 88th place globally to first in less than a decade.
In the 2026 index, Singapore ranked second with a score of 175, while Malaysia remained the only other Asian nation in the top tier, holding 17th place.
The report noted that despite Asia accounting for nearly half of global GDP growth in 2026, this economic strength was not reflected in passport rankings. South Korea and Japan fell four places, with South Korea dropping out of the global top 20.
European nations continued to dominate the upper ranks of the index. Spain came in third on the index’s individual passport rankings, followed by Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Denmark.
Arton noted that disparities in passport strength are likely to widen through 2027, amid growing global unrest, tightening restrictions, and declining world openness.
“As global movement and accessibility become a necessity rather than a luxury, a powerful passport will increasingly become a critical dividing line between the haves and have-nots,” he said.
The World Openness Score, a real-time measure of global accessibility, fell to its lowest level since 2023 as countries tightened visa restrictions, digitised border systems, and introduced nationality-specific entry controls.
Only 11 countries improved their mobility scores in 2026, compared with 24 countries in 2025.
The index further showed a shift in the Welcoming Countries rankings, with Australia, the US, Canada, and New Zealand slipping as border restrictions tightened.
In contrast, the United Kingdom moved up two places despite introducing mandatory electronic travel authorisations.
