The 2026 edition of the Henley Passport Index, released on 7 May and highlighted by UAE outlet Lana Time on 12 May, places the Emirati passport in joint second place globally with a visa-free score of 187. Only Singapore, at 192, ranks higher. The rise is significant for global-mobility programmes. UAE passport holders can now enter or obtain visa-on-arrival in 187 destinations—five more than last year—surpassing every European country and all other GCC states. The gap between the UAE and its closest regional competitor, Qatar (score 112), stands at 75 destinations. For employers, the ranking reduces friction for Emirati talent on cross-border assignments, particularly in Europe and Latin America where recent bilateral agreements eliminated short-stay visa requirements. It also enhances the attractiveness of naturalisation for long-term residents who qualify under exceptional-talent or military-service routes. The index’s methodology counts destinations accessible without a traditional embassy-issued visa. Over the past 12 months, the UAE secured waivers or electronic travel authorisations from Suriname, Papua New Guinea, and three Caribbean states, while negotiating mutual visa-free access with the European Schengen Area by 2028. Mobility teams should note that, despite the high score, certain countries—including the United States and Australia—still require online authorisations (ESTA and ETA respectively). Automated compliance tools should therefore differentiate between true visa-free entry, electronic permits and traditional visas when building travel-risk dashboards for Emirati staff.
Source: Lana Time
