The UAE becomes the first and only Arab country to rank in the top 10 of the world’s most powerful passports in 2025
The UAE became the first and only Arab country to rank among the top ten most powerful passports in the world in 2025, holding this position for the second year in a row, based on the 2025 Henley Passport Index.
UAE’s Growth
The UAE has made huge progress in the Henley Passport Index over the last decade, according to a report by Henley & Partners. Since 2015, the UAE has gained visa-free access to 72 more destinations, jumping 32 spots to rank 10th in 2025. Its passport now allows visa-free travel to 185 destinations.
The index ranks 199 passports based on how many countries can be visited without a visa, using data from the International Air Transport Association (IATA).
Singapore Leads
In 2025, Singapore regained its title as the most powerful passport, offering visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations. Japan moved to second place with access to 193 destinations, including neighboring China, which it regained after COVID-19 restrictions were lifted.
In 2024, EU countries like France, Germany, Italy, and Spain shared the top spot, but they dropped to third place in 2025. Finland and South Korea also share third place, with all six countries granting access to 192 destinations.
Fourth place is shared by seven European countries: Austria, Denmark, Ireland, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, and Sweden, with access to 191 destinations.
At the bottom of the list, Afghanistan remains in last place, losing visa-free access to two more destinations, marking the biggest mobility gap in the index’s 19-year history.
Winners and Losers
Over the past decade, only 22 out of 199 passports have dropped in the rankings.
The United States is one of the biggest losers, falling from second place in 2015 to ninth place in 2025. Venezuela dropped the most, while the British passport fell from first place in 2015 to fifth in 2025.
On the other hand, China has climbed significantly, moving from 94th place in 2015 to 60th in 2025, gaining visa-free access to 40 more destinations.
Second Citizenship Trends
Americans make up the largest group seeking second citizenship or alternative residency. According to Henley & Partners CEO Juerg Steffen, wealthy families and investors are looking for new citizenship options to reduce risks from political or economic instability.
In 2025, a record 142,000 millionaires with $1 million or more in liquid wealth are expected to relocate, marking the largest wave of wealth migration ever documented.
Published: 9th January 2025
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