UAE passport gains visa-free access to 183 countries in 2024

In the 2024 Henley & Partner’s Passport Index, the UAE passport strengthened its global standing, ascending two positions to 11th place and securing visa-free access to 183 countries. Over the past decade, the UAE emerged as the most significant climber on the Index, augmenting its visa-free score by 106 destinations since 2014, propelling it from 55th to 11th position.

The passport retained its leading regional position, surpassing Qatar (53), Kuwait (55), Bahrain (59), Oman (60), and Saudi Arabia (61). These countries have varying degrees of visa-free access, ranging from 108 to 89 nations. Afghanistan, Syria, Iraq, Pakistan, and Yemen found themselves at the bottom of the Index.

In specific regional rankings, Bangladesh rose to 97th place, India's passport climbed to 80th, and Middle Eastern nations maintained their positions. Globally, European countries such as France, Germany, Italy, and Spain joined Japan and Singapore in possessing the most powerful passports, enabling their citizens to visit 194 destinations without a visa.

The global mobility gap between the top and bottom countries has notably widened over the years, underscoring the disparities in international travel privileges.