Abu Dhabi – Mubasher: The UAE passport is one of the most powerful passports across the world, according to a new ranking by Passport Index.
Henley Passport Index noted that the Emirate passport tops its counterparts in the Gulf region with a score of 189.
Following a visa-exemption from Uzbekistan, Germany currently sits alone in the 2nd place, with a score of 188, Henley Passport Index said in a recent statement.
“The UAE continues its upward trajectory and is now just one spot away from entry into the index’s top 20. After the recent formalisation of a mutual visa-waiver agreement signed with Colombia and Russia, UAE passport holders are now able to access 165 destinations around the world without a prior visa,” the statement said.
This index lists the world's passports according to how many countries their holders can gain visa-free access to.
“The UAE’s meteoric rise in the Henley Passport Index is indicative of the country’s growing soft power and its viability as a global commercial, economic and travel hub. The nation has been making steady progress, strengthening its diplomatic ties with other countries across the globe.
It is worth noting that UAE citizens have gained visa-free access to several countries including Ireland, Canada, and China during the course of 2018.
