8 reasons why the UAE passport is gaining in strength

UAE passport holders have a lot to smile about as the country’s travel document has experienced a dramatic rise in prominence in recent years.

According to Get Golden Visa’s Passport Ranking 2024, the UAE passport jumped from 15th place in 2023 to 8th in 2024, making it among the world’s fastest-growing in terms of its strength.

As a result, Emirati citizens now enjoy visa-free travel to 187 countries.

A key reason for the passport’s growing strength stems back to a bilateral agreement in 2015 signed between the European Union and the United Arab Emirates.

Since then, the waiver agreement has allowed citizens of the UAE to stay in the Schengen area without a visa for up to 90 days within any 180-day period.

“The Schengen visa waiver significantly improved the UAE’s mobility, making it the first Arab nation with visa-free access to 26 European countries,” Murat Coşkun, the managing partner at Get Golden Visa, told Gulf Business.

Get Golden Visa uses criteria such as visa-free travel, easy entry into other countries, and a country’s worldwide reputation for its passport rankings.

Its 2024 ranking illustrates how the UAE passport (ranked 8th) is now just behind Lithuania (7) and the US (6).

With this ranking, multiple countries can occupy the same position. For example, the Estonian passport is also ranked as the 8th most powerful in the world, alongside the UAE.

France, Germany, Italy, Singapore, and Spain each rank as first in terms of having the world’s most powerful passports, according to Get Golden Visa.

But when it comes to the UAE, Coşkun says there are 8 key reasons why the UAE is advancing rapidly.

1. Visa-Free Access

The UAE passport is one of the strongest in the world, granting travel to 187 different countries. Of these, 45 provide UAE passport holders eVisa or visa-on-arrival alternatives. Important international locations like Canada, Brazil, and the Schengen Area in Europe are all included in this broad access. The UAE’s international mobility was greatly enhanced by the Schengen visa waiver obtained in 2015, which made it the first Arab country to have such benefits across 26 European nations.

2. Tax Efficiency

The UAE’s tax environment is highly favourable, particularly for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs). The absence of personal income tax is a major draw, allowing residents to retain more of their earnings. Additionally, the UAE offers no capital gains tax, making it an attractive destination for investors and business owners.

3. Economic Influence

The UAE’s diversified economy, driven by key sectors such as oil and gas, finance, tourism, and technology, is a cornerstone of its global influence. In 2023, the UAE ranked second globally, just behind the United States, in greenfield Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) project announcements, with 1,323 projects—an impressive 33 per cent increase from 2022, according to the World Investment Report 2024 by UNCTAD. This achievement follows a record-breaking 2022, where the UAE recorded its highest FDI inflow at $22.7bn, a 10 per cent rise from the previous year, surpassing all other GCC countries, as highlighted in the 2023 UNCTAD report. The UAE’s continued investments in renewable energy and AI underscore its commitment to maintaining economic leadership in the region.

4. Balanced Foreign Policy

The UAE’s foreign policy is characterised by its strategic diplomacy and balanced relationships with global powers. The UAE maintains strong ties with both the United States and China, and its participation in international agreements like the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with India has bolstered economic ties, increasing bilateral trade by 20 per cent to $60bn annually. This balanced approach enhances the UAE’s global standing and economic influence.

5. Early Post-COVID Recovery

The UAE was one of the first countries to relax travel restrictions after the COVID-19 pandemic, which led to a swift recovery in its tourism sector. The Expo 2020 Dubai, delayed to October 2021 due to the pandemic, became a global event that attracted over 24 million visitors, significantly boosting the UAE’s economy. This early recovery has reinforced the UAE’s reputation as a resilient and forward-thinking nation.

6. Golden Visa Programme

The UAE’s Golden Visa programme, introduced in 2019, provides long-term residency options of up to 10 years for investors, entrepreneurs, and highly skilled professionals. To qualify, applicants must invest at least Dhs2m (approximately $545,000) in local property or businesses. The program has been pivotal in attracting global talent and investment, with over 44,000 Golden Visas issued by 2024, contributing to the UAE’s economic diversification and innovation goals.

7. World-Class Infrastructure

The UAE boasts advanced infrastructure, ranking highly in global indices for transportation, healthcare, and digital connectivity. Dubai International Airport (DXB), for instance, is one of the busiest airports in the world, handling over 86 million passengers annually pre-pandemic. The country’s commitment to infrastructure development is evident in its rapid recovery post-COVID.

8. Strategic Location and Air Connectivity

Strategically located between Europe, Asia, and Africa, the UAE serves as a major hub for international trade and travel. The UAE’s airlines, including Emirates and Etihad Airways, connect to over 250 destinations worldwide. This connectivity, combined with the UAE’s location, makes it an ideal base for multinational companies and global business operations, particularly for those from South Asia, including India, where business ties are strong.