UAE becomes first Mideast country with one of world's strongest passports
Emirati citizens have access to 184 destinations without a visa or with a visa on arrival.
The United Arab Emirates has become the first Middle East country to have among the most powerful passports in the world, according to a list unveiled Wednesday.
What happened: The Henley Passport Index is compiled by London-based Henley & Partners and ranks the world’s passports by the number of destinations their holders can enter without a prior visa. The index draws on data from the International Air Transport Association and is widely regarded as a benchmark for global mobility.
The 2025 index revealed that the UAE's passport is now more powerful than Canada's (in the 9th most powerful category) and the United States' (in the 12th). The Gulf country came in as tied for 8th with the United Kingdom as well as Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia and Slovenia on the list of the most powerful passports in the world.
Emirati citizens have access to 184 destinations without a visa or by obtaining a visa on arrival.
