UAE Retains World’s Most Powerful Passport Ranking for 2026

The United Arab Emirates has retained the world’s top passport ranking for 2026 according to the Arton Capital Passport Index, with Emirati passport holders receiving access to 182 destinations worldwide. The score of 182 is the highest recorded in the history of the ranking, which tracks real-time changes in global travel mobility and passport access. The UAE has held the top position globally since 2018.
Singapore ranked second in the 2026 index with a score of 175, while Malaysia remained the only other Asian passport within the top tier rankings at 17th place. The report also noted that passports from several European countries continued to dominate the upper positions, including Spain, Belgium, Luxembourg, France, and Denmark. Luxembourg climbed from 10th to fifth place compared with 2025 rankings, while South Korea and Japan both dropped four positions, with South Korea falling outside the top 20.
Beyond individual passport rankings, the Passport Index reported that the World Openness Score — which measures global accessibility — declined again in 2026 to its lowest level since 2023. According to the report, the trend reflects tighter border systems, expanded digital entry controls, and increasing restrictions tied to visa categories and nationalities.
The report stated that only 11 countries improved their mobility scores during 2026 compared with 24 countries in 2025. It also highlighted declines within the Welcoming Countries ranking for Australia, United States, Canada, and New Zealand amid tighter entry regulations and evolving border systems.