UAE Passport Rises to 11th Place; Top Countries on 2024 List Revealed

The 2024 Henley Passport Index reveals a significant development in global passport rankings, with six countries sharing the top spot for visa-free access to a record-breaking number of destinations. France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and Singapore emerge as the world’s most powerful passports, allowing their citizens to visit 194 destinations out of 227 globally without the need for a prior visa.

Maintaining their stronghold at the top for the past five years, Japan and Singapore are now joined by European nations in the first position. South Korea, Finland, and Sweden secure the second spot with visa-free travel to 193 destinations, while Austria, Denmark, Ireland, and the Netherlands share the third position with access to 192 countries.

European countries dominate the top 10, with the UK climbing two ranks to secure the fourth place. UK citizens now enjoy visa-free access to 191 destinations, an improvement from the previous year’s 188. Australia and New Zealand passport holders occupy the sixth position with access to 189 visa-free destinations, and the US retains its seventh place, providing access to 188 destinations without requiring a visa in advance. The UK and the US jointly held the first place on the index in 2014, marking a decade since that shared ranking.

The UAE stands out as the biggest climber on the Henley Passport Index over the past decade, experiencing a remarkable leap of 44 places from 55th to 11th position. The country has added an impressive 106 destinations to its visa-free score since 2014, offering its citizens visa-free access to 183 countries.

Ukraine and China also stand out among the top five countries with the most improved rankings over the past decade, each gaining a net total of 21 places. Ukraine now holds the 32nd position with 148 visa-free destinations, while China sits in 62nd place with access to 85 destinations without a prior visa, compared to just 44 in 2014.

Russia, although witnessing a net rise of 24 destinations over the past 10 years, maintains a consistent visa-free score and ranking since 2017, currently holding the 51st place with access to 119 destinations.

Henley & Partners’ research underscores a strong correlation between economic performance, passport power, and countries hosting investment migration programs. Nearly 60% of G7 countries, accounting for 30% of global GDP, offer residence or citizenship by investment programs. Similarly, most EU member states and G20 sovereign states provide mechanisms for residence rights in exchange for inward investment, highlighting the significance of investment migration in enhancing passport power and economic progress.

Dr. Juerg Steffen, CEO of Henley & Partners, emphasizes that visa-openness and investment migration are potent levers for governments to positively impact passport power and economic growth. Investment migration programs, he notes, contribute to the sovereign equity of host nations, offering a win-win, long-term, sustainable solution for investors and nation-states alike.