The Emirati passport has maintained its top position worldwide for the seventh consecutive year, scoring 179 points according to the “Global Passport Index.” During this period, many other major passports lost their previous standings, solidifying the UAE’s status as a global leader in mobility and as a stable and attractive investment hub compared to traditional countries in Europe and North America.
In a related development, Asian passports made significant strides in 2025 after years of stability. Singapore saw the most substantial rise, moving from the 30th to the 2nd position, while Malaysia jumped from 41st to 17th. Japan and South Korea also secured high rankings, reinforcing the region’s strong presence near the top of the index.
Europe continued to dominate the top twenty rankings, with Spain, France, Germany, Belgium, and Italy occupying positions three through seven respectively. However, most of these countries reported lower scores compared to 2024, dropping from approximately 178-179 points to around 174 this year.
As governments tighten entry regulations and increase visa scrutiny, Europe’s traditional advantages have begun to diminish. While the region still comprises the majority of globally ranked passports, it now faces intense competition from rapidly improving Asian contenders.
The United Kingdom, the United States, and Canada were among the most significant fallers in the 2025 rankings. The UK dropped from 32nd to 39th place, while the US and Canada fell to 41st and 40th positions respectively, each losing five visa-free destinations. Australia and New Zealand also experienced declines in their rankings.
Armand Arton, CEO of Arton Capital and co-founder of the passport index, stated that the UAE’s continued first-place status is due to its consistent expansion of global mobility, even as the rest of the world becomes less accessible.
He noted, “In 2025, the global openness index decreased as many major passports, including those from the UK, US, and Canada, lost visa-free access amidst stricter entry rules. The UAE is among the few countries that not only resisted this global trend but actively reversed it.”
While other nations declined, the Emirati passport retained its unparalleled access, allowing visa-free entry to 129 destinations, visa-on-arrival access to 45 locations, and electronic travel authorization (ETA) for eight countries, resulting in a mobility score of 179.