This year, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) has emerged as the strongest passport holder, allowing its citizens to travel visa-free to 179 countries, securing the top spot for the seventh consecutive year.
The UAE’s consistent ranking is attributed to its stable economy, investment-friendly environment, and strong international relations, making it a global leader in passport power.
Singapore made a remarkable jump from 30th place to 2nd, sharing the position with Spain, whose citizens can travel visa-free to 175 countries. The third spot is jointly held by ten countries, granting visa-free access to 174 nations.
At the other end of the spectrum, Afghanistan, Syria, and Iraq have the weakest passports, followed by Pakistan, which allows visa-free travel to only 45 countries. Meanwhile, Yemen, Bangladesh, North Korea, Palestine, and Eritrea have improved their standings. India ranks 69th.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, many countries saw a decline in passport strength, but the UAE remained largely unaffected.