UAE passport ranked world’s most powerful

Dubai: The UAE passport has reaffirmed its position as the world’s most powerful, according to the latest Passport Index by financial consultancy Arton Capital.

With the addition of another point to its global score, UAE passport holders now enjoy visa-free access to 180 destinations worldwide. Recent updates to the passport have further expanded its reach, granting visa-free entry to 127 countries.

Additionally, 53 nations allow visa-on-arrival or eVisa access, meaning Emiratis can travel to over 90% of the world’s countries with minimal restrictions. Only 18 countries out of the 198 recognised globally require pre-approved visas.

The Passport Index ranks passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit without a visa.

The UAE leads the rankings with 180 visa-free destinations, followed by:

Second Place: Spain, with access to 179 countries.

Third Place: A tie among 14 countries, including France, Germany, and Italy, with access to 178 countries.

Fourth Place: Sweden, Poland, and Hungary, with access to 177 destinations.

Fifth Place: Nations such as the Czech Republic and South Korea, with 176 countries.

In addition to this achievement, the Federal Authority for Identity, Citizenship, Customs, and Port Security has introduced a new initiative to issue UAE passports with a validity of up to 10 years for citizens aged 21 and older.

This move is part of the government’s ongoing efforts to enhance services and align with national objectives.The 10-year passport offers significant advantages, reducing the frequency of renewals to once every decade. This change streamlines administrative processes, making travel more convenient and boosting citizens’ satisfaction by providing greater freedom of movement.