UAE passport beats US and Canada in 2025 global mobility index
India drops to 85th place as Pakistan remains among lowest-ranked passports
DUBAI – The UAE passport has risen to new heights in global mobility, ranking as the eighth most powerful in the world, according to the 2025 Henley Passport Index.
Emirati citizens can now travel visa-free or with visa-on-arrival to 184 destinations, securing the UAE’s position above major players such as the United States and Canada.
Just a year ago, the nation stood in ninth place, showcasing consistent progress since the index was first launched in 2006, when Emirati passport holders enjoyed access to only 33 countries.
Global passport rankings
At the top of the 2025 list, Singapore continues to lead with visa-free access to 193 destinations, followed by South Korea (190) and Japan (189). Several European nations – including Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Spain and Switzerland – share fourth place with access to 188 countries.
The UAE, sharing eighth position with the United Kingdom, Croatia, Estonia, Slovakia and Slovenia, remains the highest-ranked Middle Eastern nation. Within the region, Oman sits at 87th, Bahrain at 88th, Kuwait at 99th and Qatar at 111th, reflecting the Emirates’ strong diplomatic outreach and international standing.
US passport falls
For the first time in 20 years, the United States has fallen out of the world’s top 10, ranking 12th alongside Malaysia, with visa-free access to 180 destinations. Experts at Henley & Partners attribute the decline to stricter immigration and reciprocity policies, which have weakened American passport strength.
The index notes that countries with open, cooperative travel policies – such as Singapore and the UAE – are increasingly overtaking those that limit reciprocal visa access.
India and Pakistan
Meanwhile, India’s passport slipped five places to 85th, offering visa-free access to 57 destinations, including Bhutan, Indonesia, Mauritius, Nepal and Trinidad and Tobago. Pakistan, ranked 103rd, offers visa-free or visa-on-arrival entry to just 31 countries, placing it among the lowest globally.
In South Asia, Bangladesh ranks 100th and Nepal 101st, while Bhutan fares better at 92nd with access to 50 destinations. At the bottom of the 2025 index is Afghanistan, with visa-free access to only 24 destinations.
The Henley Passport Index, launched in 2005, evaluates 199 passports using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA), measuring how freely citizens can travel across 227 destinations without requiring a visa.