DUBAI: The latest 2025 Global Passport Index by Arton Capital reveals which countries offer their citizens the greatest travel freedom.
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.
