People in the UAE already knew their passports were powerful. But the latest numbers show it has pulled even further ahead in 2026. According to new figures released by Arton Capital through its Passport Index rankings, the United Arab Emirates passport now gives Emiratis access to 182 destinations worldwide. That’s the highest score ever recorded in the history of the index.
UAE Passport Keeps Global Top Spot In 2026 As Travel Access Expands Again
The UAE has been sitting at the top since 2018. But this latest jump makes the lead even bigger at a time when many countries are actually losing travel freedom instead of gaining it. For many Emiratis, that means fewer visa headaches, easier business travel and quicker holidays without endless paperwork.
The UAE’s rise has been fast
Less than a decade ago, the UAE passport was ranked 88th globally. Now it’s number one.
That turnaround did not happen by accident. Back in 2017, the government launched the UAE Passport Force Initiative through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, focusing heavily on international agreements and stronger diplomatic ties. Since then, the country has kept adding visa-free or visa-on-arrival access across different regions.
Also, the UAE’s position as a business and tourism hub seems to be helping. Strong trade links, global investments and political relationships have all played a role in improving mobility for citizens.
While some countries became stricter after the pandemic years, the UAE kept moving in the opposite direction.
Other Countries Are Slipping Behind
Singapore stayed in second place with a score of 175. But after that, European countries dominated much of the top rankings again.
Countries like Spain, France, Belgium and Denmark all remained near the top. Meanwhile, some Asian passports actually dropped in ranking despite the region’s economic growth. Japan and South Korea both fell four spots this year. That said, global travel freedom seems to be tightening overall.
The Passport Index’s World Openness Score dropped again in 2026 and reached its lowest point since 2023. More countries are bringing in digital border systems, extra visa checks and stricter entry rules.
Also Read: UAE Has The Second Strongest Passport In The World And Here’s A Look At The Top 10
Even Popular Travel Countries Are Tightening Rules
Countries usually seen as easy travel destinations are becoming stricter, too. Australia, Canada, the United States and New Zealand all slipped in the welcoming countries rankings due to tighter visa systems.
Europe is changing as well. Around 30 European countries are now moving towards the ETIAS travel authorisation system, which adds another step for travellers entering the region. But despite global restrictions growing in many places, the UAE passport continues heading in the opposite direction and faster than most.
Top 10 List
1. United Arab Emirates
2. Singapore, Spain
3. Belgium, Luxembourg, France, Denmark, Germany, Sweden, Netherlands, Finland, Italy, Switzerland, Greece, Portugal, Austria, Malaysia, Norway, Ireland
4. Malta, Poland, Hungary, Latvia, South Korea, Japan
5. Romania, Slovenia, Czech Republic, Croatia, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Estonia
6. Cyprus, Lithuania
7. United Kingdom, Liechtenstein, New Zealand
8. Canada, Iceland, Australia
9. United States of America, Monaco
10. Hong Kong
Cover Image Courtesy: CanvaPro/Bradai Abderrahmen from Getty Images
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