UAE passport remains the strongest in the region, becoming the 12th most powerful passport globally

The UAE passport remains the most powerful in the area, with its worldwide standing rising by three places. It is presently the world's 12th most powerful passport.

According to the current Henley Passport Index, issued late on Tuesday, UAE passport holders can travel to 179 countries without getting a visa prior to flights, up from 178 at the end of last year and 176 in July 2022. Henley & Partners' most recent rating is based on official data from the International Air Transport Association (Iata).

Qatar has the second strongest passport in the GCC area, after Kuwait (54), Bahrain (59), Oman (60), and Saudi Arabia (61).