Published on
August 10, 2025 |
In the latest global ranking, the United Arab Emirates is positioned 8th alongside Canada and Estonia. This means the UAE’s status as one of the countries with the UAE passport holders can also travel to 184 countries without prior visa requirements or with visa-on-arrival.
Like Canada and Estonia, the UAE has this status which shows how these countries are connected diplomatically and how much they can travel. It highlights the UAE’s increasing significance globally not just economically, but also in how much its citizens can travel.
The Growing Significance Of Global Mobility
The Henley Passport Index, which ranks passports based on the number of countries their holders can visit visa-free, is a key indicator of a nation’s international standing. The 8th-place ranking of the UAE, Canada, and Estonia signals a growing trend where countries are forging strategic international alliances to improve the mobility of their citizens.
The UAE’s diplomatic efforts, including free trade agreements and visa waivers with countries across various continents, have significantly boosted its global mobility.
This remarkable leap is part of the UAE’s broader efforts to establish itself as a global hub for trade, tourism, and cultural exchange. In the Middle East, the UAE has emerged as the undisputed leader, with its passport offering access to a wide range of countries.
Countries Accessed Visa-Free By UAE Citizens
UAE passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries across various continents. This unrestricted access is a significant achievement that promotes travel, business, and diplomatic engagements worldwide. Let’s break down the access by region:
Africa: The UAE has forged strong relationships across Africa, ensuring that its citizens enjoy easy access to several key African countries. This has facilitated economic growth and tourism across the continent.Asia: As a part of Asia, the UAE offers its citizens seamless travel across the continent, with particular focus on the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, as well as Southeast Asia, where the UAE’s strong economic and cultural ties have opened doors for easier travel.Europe: UAE passport holders have access to all Schengen Area countries, which facilitates business, tourism, and cultural exchange within Europe. This enhances the UAE’s role as a bridge between the East and the West.North America: UAE citizens benefit from visa-free entry to Canada and Mexico, key economic partners of the UAE. This access is critical for strengthening business ties and enhancing diplomatic relations.Oceania: The UAE’s access to Australia and New Zealand reflects the nation’s growing importance in the global tourism and trade sectors. Both nations are critical for education, tourism, and cultural exchange.South America: With access to major countries in South America, including Brazil, Argentina, and Chile, the UAE has opened opportunities for trade and tourism in one of the world’s fastest-growing regions.
This level of access allows UAE citizens to travel freely across most regions of the world, making it a truly global passport that enhances economic, social, and political engagements.
UAE Airports: A Global Aviation Hub
The UAE’s aviation sector continues to flourish, with its world-class airports handling millions of passengers annually. Dubai International Airport (DXB), Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH), and Sharjah International Airport (SHJ) are key players in facilitating this mobility, with significant increases in passenger traffic over the past few years.
Dubai International Airport (DXB): Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest airports in the world, continues to lead global aviation. In 2024, DXB welcomed over 92 million passengers, making it the busiest airport globally for international traffic. This reflects the UAE’s central position in global air travel and its connectivity to more than 270 destinations worldwide. DXB’s strategic location between the East and the West has solidified its status as a global hub for connecting travellers from various continents. Despite challenges such as weather-related disruptions, DXB has maintained impressive operational efficiency, handling a high volume of international flights year-round.Abu Dhabi International Airport (AUH): AUH saw a significant surge in passenger traffic, with 29.4 million passengers passing through in 2024, a 28.1% increase from the previous year. This growth can be attributed to both tourism and business travellers, as well as the airport’s ongoing expansion projects, designed to increase capacity and improve passenger experience. AUH is a key gateway to the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, further enhancing the UAE’s aviation standing.Sharjah International Airport (SHJ): Sharjah International Airport, while smaller than DXB and AUH, recorded over 17.1 million passengers in 2024, reflecting steady growth and a strong market for budget and regional travel. Sharjah has become a significant player in low-cost travel, with its growing number of passengers traveling to destinations across Asia, Africa, and Europe.
These airports are vital to the UAE’s economic success, facilitating not just passenger traffic but also serving as essential cargo hubs for international trade.
Flight Operations And Challenges
Despite the UAE’s impressive growth in passenger numbers, the aviation sector has faced its share of challenges, particularly in flight operations. Weather-related disruptions have occasionally affected flight schedules, especially during the summer monsoon season.
In June 2025, for example, Dubai International Airport saw significant delays and cancellations due to heavy rain and dust storms that impacted air traffic. Nearly 145 flights were delayed or cancelled, affecting thousands of passengers.
In addition to weather-related issues, Emirates Airlines has experienced aircraft delivery delays, particularly with the Boeing 777-9X. These delays have slowed the airline’s fleet expansion plans, leading to short-term capacity issues on certain routes. Despite these setbacks, Emirates remains one of the world’s most prestigious airlines, known for its high-quality service and vast international network.
The UAE’s Aviation Future
The UAE’s aviation sector is set to continue its growth trajectory, with both Dubai and Abu Dhabi airports undergoing massive expansion projects. These developments will increase passenger handling capacity, enhance services, and accommodate the growing demand for air travel.
As air traffic continues to rise globally, the UAE’s strategic investments in airport infrastructure and airline fleets will ensure it remains a dominant force in international aviation.
Conclusion
The UAE sharing 8th place with Canada and Estonia in the Henley Passport Index proves the country’s rising global impact and its efforts towards global mobility for its citizens.
The UAE’s large tourism visa-free countries list turned the UAE to be a strategic global diplomat, opening doors for tourism and trade. Religious tourism, business tourism, along with continuous infrastructure improve the UAE to be a global aviation dock.
The country’s aviation sector does face some operational challenges like bad weather and fleet delays, but there’s an upside to these. The country’s aviation sector is still prepared for continuous growth which will, in turn, help it strengthen its position in the international arena.
