Published: Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at 7:51 pm| Dubai | Edited: Wednesday, 22 July 2026, at 7:59 pm
The UAE passport rankings 2026 have reached an unprecedented milestone in international mobility. Read on to explore how this remarkable transformation unfolded and view the complete list of accessible countries.
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UAE Passport Rankings 2026: Historic Rise to Global No. 2
The United Arab Emirates has officially secured the second spot in the latest Henley Passport Index 2026. This historic milestone cements the nation’s position as a dominant force in global mobility, granting its citizens unprecedented access to international travel, trade, and diplomacy.
Overview of the 2026 Milestone
Unprecedented global mobility surge for Emirati citizens in recent years.
The UAE passport rankings 2026 highlight a extraordinary leap on the world stage. Moving up three places since January, the UAE now shares the global No. 2 spot alongside East Asian powerhouses Japan and South Korea. Only Singapore holds a higher ranking, leading the list with access to 192 destinations.
- 1st Place: Singapore (192 destinations)
- 2nd Place: UAE, Japan, South Korea (188 destinations)
- 3rd Place: Sweden (187 destinations)
- 4th: Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway and Spain (186 destinations)
- 5th: Austria, Greece, Malta, Portugal and Switzerland (185 destinations)
- 6th: Hungary, Poland and the United Kingdom (184 destinations)
- 7th: Australia, Canada, Czech Republic, Latvia, Malaysia, New Zealand, Slovakia and Slovenia (183 destinations)
- 8th: Croatia and Estonia (182 destinations)
- 9th: Lithuania and Liechtenstein (181 destinations)
- 10th: Iceland and the United States (180 destinations)
Two Decades of Unmatched Growth
A 20 year transformation from a mid ranked passport to an international powerhouse.
Two decades ago, in 2006, the UAE passport offered visa free entry to just 35 destinations, sitting near the middle of global standings. Over the past 20 years, the nation added 153 new travel agreements. This represents the single largest improvement recorded by any country in the index’s history.
- 2006 Ranking: 35 visa free destinations
- 2026 Ranking: 188 visa free destinations
- Net Gain: 153 new destination agreements
Strategic Diplomacy Driving Global Mobility
Proactive international partnerships and economic ties strengthen mobility.
The dramatic rise in the global mobility ranking for the UAE is no accident. It is the direct result of proactive diplomacy, strong international trade relations, and strategic global engagement. Countries around the world continue to seek the UAE as a trusted partner for business, investment, and tourism.
- Diplomatic Expansion: Continuous bilateral visa waiver agreements across continents.
- Economic Capital: Strong global positioning attracts global partnerships and trade.
- Business Hub: High mobility reinforces the UAE’s status as a talent hub.
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The Growing Gap in Global Mobility
The divide between the world’s strongest and weakest travel documents widens.
While overall global travel freedom has increased over two decades, the gap between the highest and lowest rankings has reached a record high. Singapore’s top spot (192 destinations) stands in stark contrast to Afghanistan at the bottom (22 destinations), creating a 170 destination gap.
- Highest Mobility: Singapore (192 destinations)
- Lowest Mobility: Afghanistan (22 destinations)
- US Shift: The United States dropped from 1st place in 2006 to 10th place today.
Complete List of 188 Destinations
Detailed table of all visa free, visa on arrival, and eTA destinations for UAE citizens.
The impressive reach of Emirati passport power spans every continent. Below is the complete, transparent list of all 188 destinations accessible without a prior visa under the UAE visa free destinations network
| Region | Destinations Included |
| Schengen Area (Europe) | France, Germany, Italy, Switzerland, Spain, Netherlands, Sweden, Norway, Denmark, Finland, Belgium, Austria, Greece, Portugal, Iceland, Poland, Czech Republic, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Slovakia, Slovenia, Estonia, Croatia |
| Rest of Europe | United Kingdom (eTA), Russia, Georgia, Albania, Andorra, Belarus, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Ireland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, Romania, San Marino, Serbia, Ukraine, Vatican City, North Macedonia |
| GCC & Middle East | Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Lebanon, Iran, Yemen |
| Asia | Japan, South Korea, China, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Maldives, Philippines, Sri Lanka (VoA/eTA), Nepal (VoA), Pakistan (VoA), Brunei, Cambodia (VoA), Hong Kong, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Macao, Mongolia, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Azerbaijan, Armenia |
| Americas | Canada (eTA), Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Peru, Ecuador, Uruguay, Paraguay, Bolivia, Panama, Costa Rica, Guatemala, Honduras, El Salvador, Nicaragua |
| Caribbean | Bahamas, Barbados, Cuba, Jamaica, Dominica, Grenada, Haiti, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Trinidad and Tobago, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines |
| Africa | Egypt, Morocco, Tunisia, South Africa, Mauritius, Seychelles, Kenya (eTA), Tanzania (VoA), Rwanda, Senegal, Botswana, Madagascar (VoA), Zambia, Zimbabwe, Uganda, Angola, Cape Verde, Comoros, Gambia, Ghana, Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Eswatini, Burkina Faso, Mauritania |
| Oceania | New Zealand (eTA), Fiji, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Micronesia, Nauru, Palau, Solomon Islands, Tuvalu |
Conclusion
The UAE passport rankings 2026 reflect a remarkable journey of diplomatic excellence and global connectivity.
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FAQs
What rank did the UAE achieve in the Henley Passport Index 2026?
The UAE achieved global rank No. 2, sharing the spot with Japan and South Korea.
How many destinations can UAE passport holders access visa free?
Emirati citizens can access 188 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance.
Which country holds the top spot in the 2026 rankings?
Singapore holds the number one rank, providing access to 192 destinations.
How many destinations has the UAE added since 2006?
The UAE has added an unprecedented 153 visa free destinations over the last 20 years.
