Today's Edition
MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
The UAE has climbed three places to become the world's second most powerful passport, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 188 destinations, according to the latest Henley Passport Index.
The July 2026 ranking makes the UAE the biggest mover since the start of the year, placing it alongside Japan and South Korea, while Singapore retained the top spot with access to 192 destinations.
The latest advance crowns two decades of rapid gains for the country. Since the index was launched in 2006, the UAE has added 153 visa-free destinations – more than any other passport in the index's history.
The report said the country's progress is an example of how sustained diplomacy and international cooperation can reshape global mobility.
"Twenty years of data show that passport power is one of the clearest expressions of a country's geopolitical capital," said Dr Christian H. Kaelin, Chairman of Henley and Partners and creator of the Henley Passport Index.
"The world's strongest passports belong to nations that other countries want as partners – for trade, investment, security, or cooperation. Mobility is ultimately a measure of the value other countries place on their relationship with you."
The report, which marks the index's 20th anniversary, shows that the average passport now grants visa-free access to 108 destinations, up from 58 in 2006.
The findings contrast with the latest Global Peace Index, also marking its 20th edition, which found global peacefulness has declined for a 12th consecutive year amid the highest number of state-based conflicts since the Second World War.
Even so, international mobility has continued to expand, with millions of travellers preparing for the Northern Hemisphere's peak summer holiday season.
The UK has climbed one place to 6th since the start of the year after securing visa-free access to China and Malawi, while Canada rose to 7th following similar gains.
The US remains in 10th place and is now one of the few top-ranked passports whose citizens still require a visa to visit China.
The findings point to a shift in mobility power away from the traditional transatlantic leaders with Asia challenging Europe's longstanding dominance. In 2006, the US enjoyed 1st place while the UK ranked 3rd.
The top 10 now includes 38 passports, up from 26 in 2006, as more countries offer similarly high levels of visa-free access, making it harder for any one passport to maintain a clear lead.
Notably, the gap between the most and least mobile citizens has widened sharply, according to the report.
Afghanistan remains at the bottom of the rankings with access to just 22 destinations, compared with Singapore’s 192, creating a record 170-destination mobility gap. In 2006, that gap stood at just 118 destinations.
Bolivia is the only passport in record a net decline in visa-free access over the past two decades, losing access to six destinations, while every other passport has become more powerful.
