2026 UAE Passport Rankings
| Index | UAE position | Published mobility / access figure | What it measures |
|---|---|---|---|
| Passport Index 2026 | #1 | Mobility Score 182 | Passport mobility and power methodology maintained by Passport Index. |
| Henley Passport Index — July 2026 | #2 | 188 destinations visa-free or visa-on-arrival | Henley's passport ranking using IATA/Timatic data and its own methodology. |
Because the rankings use different methodologies, this page does not label the UAE “#1 with 188 visa-free countries”. The precise wording matters.
Selected Destination Matrix
| Destination | Current access | Typical short-stay period | Important condition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schengen Area | Visa-free | Up to 90 days in any 180-day period | EU-UAE visa-waiver framework. Ireland is outside Schengen and is not covered by this arrangement. |
| United Kingdom | ETA required | Up to 6 months per visit for qualifying visits | Current UK ETA fee: £20. ETA validity is normally 2 years or until passport expiry, whichever comes first. |
| Japan | Visa-free | Up to 90 days | Current Japanese visa-waiver rule for UAE ordinary ICAO-compliant IC passport holders. |
| Canada | eTA required for air travel | Short visits normally up to 6 months, subject to Canadian rules | UAE citizens are visa-exempt for qualifying short visits but need an eTA when flying to or transiting through a Canadian airport. |
| United States | Visa generally required | Depends on the issued visa and admission | The UAE is not currently listed among U.S. Visa Waiver Program countries; UAE passport holders therefore generally need the appropriate U.S. visa for tourism/business travel. |
Europe
| Travel parameter | Current guidance |
|---|---|
| Access type | Visa-free short stays in Schengen: up to 90 days in any 180-day period |
| Examples | Austria, Belgium, France, Germany, Italy, Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland and the other Schengen states covered by the UAE–EU visa-waiver framework |
| Entry conditions | Valid UAE passport and compliance with the destination border requirements; the visa waiver does not remove ordinary entry conditions |
🇪🇺 Schengen: Visa-Free but Not “All Europe”
UAE citizens can visit the Schengen states without a visa for up to 90 days in any 180-day period under the EU-UAE visa-waiver agreement.
🇬🇧 UK ETA — Current 2026 Rule
UAE nationals generally need an ETA before travelling to the UK as non-visa nationals.
The ETA permits multiple journeys and generally allows visits of up to 6 months at a time during its validity, normally 2 years or until the passport expires, whichever is sooner.
Japan, Canada and the United States
| Country | Current position for UAE ordinary passport holders |
|---|---|
| Japan | Visa-free for qualifying short-term visits up to 90 days for UAE nationals holding valid ordinary ICAO-compliant IC passports. |
| Canada | UAE citizens are visa-exempt for qualifying short visits. For air travel or transit through a Canadian airport, an eTA is generally required. |
| United States | UAE citizenship does not currently qualify for the U.S. Visa Waiver Program. UAE passport holders generally need the appropriate U.S. visa for tourism or business travel. |
GCC Movement
GCC citizens have special regional movement arrangements, and UAE nationals can use permitted GCC travel documentation under the relevant GCC rules. However, this regional framework should not be described as “unrestricted right to live, work and invest across the GCC” without qualification because residence, employment and professional-registration rules can still apply.
Always check the current rule of the specific GCC state and the purpose of travel.
Twajudi — UAE Citizens Abroad
UAE citizens travelling abroad can register with the MoFA Twajudi service so the ministry can communicate with them in emergencies and crises and coordinate assistance or repatriation where required.
Before You Travel
Related UAE Tools & Guides
2026 VerifiedFrequently Asked Questions
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Commercial content is independent of passport indexes, MoFA and destination-country immigration authorities and does not imply government endorsement.
Sources were checked for August 2026. Visa requirements, entry durations, ETAs, eTAs and passport-index rankings can change at short notice. Always confirm the exact itinerary and nationality on the destination country's official immigration service before travelling.