The UAE has entered the league of the ten most powerful passports in the world, based on a new update on the Henley Passport Index. The UAE rose 53 places since the inception of the list in 2006, which consists of 152 countries across the globe.
Henley & Partners CEO Juerg Steffen believes the UAE passport’s astonishing rise up the ranks “s the result of deliberate and concerted efforts by the Emirati government to position the UAE as a global hub for business, tourism, and investment. Our research has consistently shown a strong correlation between a country’s visa-free score and its economic prosperity. Nations with higher visa-free scores tend to enjoy greater GDP per capita, increased foreign direct investment, and more robust international trade relationships.”
The UAE now ranks ninth on the list with a visa-free score of 185. Aside from the titular recognition, the Henley Passport Index demonstrates the UAE’s strategic diplomatic alliances, strengthened by its booming tourism sector and thriving business ecosystem that attracts global talent. The UAE’s focus on transforming into an ideal destination for innovation is fostered by its budding startup economy. According to the Expat Insider 2024 report by InterNations, the UAE ranks tenth in the world for job opportunities and a premium standard of living.
