UAE passport ranks 5th worldwide in 2026: Henley Index

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UAE passport ranks 5th worldwide in 2026: Henley Passport Index

January 14, 2026

LONDON,— The United Arab Emirates has achieved the largest long-term improvement ever recorded on the Henley Passport Index, moving up 57 positions over the past 20 years to reach fifth place worldwide in the 2026 rankings.

The index, which marks its 20th year of publication, is compiled by Henley and Partners using data provided by the International Air Transport Association.

Another international ranking has placed the UAE even higher. The Global Passport Power Rank has listed the UAE passport as the strongest in the world for 2026, ranking it first globally based on mobility, visa-free access, and international reach.

It measures how many destinations passport holders can enter without a visa or with visa-on-arrival access.

UAE citizens can now travel to 184 destinations without obtaining a visa in advance. That figure represents an increase of 149 destinations since 2006, the biggest expansion recorded by any country since the index began.

Henley and Partners said the UAE’s steady rise reflects long-term diplomatic engagement, visa policy reforms, and the expansion of bilateral and multilateral agreements.

Over two decades, the country has consistently negotiated reciprocal visa arrangements while strengthening political and economic ties with governments across multiple regions.

Dr. Christian H. Kaelin, chairman of Henley and Partners and the founder of the index, said the UAE’s progress stands apart from all other countries tracked, Emirate News Agency reported.

He said the results show how sustained policy planning and stable governance can directly increase international mobility and global influence.

In the 2026 rankings, the UAE now stands ahead of several countries traditionally viewed as leaders in travel freedom.

New Zealand is ranked sixth, while the United Kingdom and Australia share seventh place. Canada follows in eighth, and the United States ranks tenth.

Henley and Partners research into passport strength identifies several structural factors that support higher rankings.

These include reciprocal visa policies, active foreign diplomacy, economic development, and openness to tourism. Countries that maintain cooperative international relationships tend to expand travel access for their citizens over time.

The research also highlights a strong link between political stability, economic resilience, and sustained growth in passport access.

High levels of openness to foreign visitors and residents further contribute to long-term improvements, a pattern reflected in the UAE’s continued rise on the index.

(With files from WAM)