UAE Passport Ranks First Worldwide for Seventh Consecutive Year

The United Arab Emirates has retained the world’s most powerful passport for the seventh consecutive year, Arton Capital’s 2025 Passport Index shows. The latest edition places the UAE at the top as global mobility contracts, with many major passports losing visa-free access amid tighter entry requirements.

Several Asian countries recorded the fastest gains. Singapore rose from 30th to 2nd with a mobility score of 175, while Malaysia climbed from 41st to 17th with a score of 174. Japan and South Korea remained high in the rankings despite small reductions. Arton Capital said the rise of Asian passports reflects growing diplomatic influence translating into mobility gains.

European passports continued to dominate the upper tier but registered lower scores than in 2024. Spain, France, Germany, Belgium and Italy remained among the strongest passports, although most moved from around 178 or 179 visa-free destinations to closer to 174. The index attributes these declines to a mix of tightened border controls, new entry requirements and renegotiated visa agreements.

Passports from the United Kingdom, the United States and Canada recorded notable drops. The United Kingdom fell from 32nd to 39th. The United States and Canada each lost five points, moving to 41st and 40th respectively, while Australia and New Zealand also slipped. The index also noted wider adoption of electronic travel authorisations during 2025.