This Arab passport just became more powerful

Lengthy visa applications and intense security screenings are two obstacles many people face when traveling. However, if you are in possession of an Emirati passport, worry no more.

The UAE passport has just been ranked the most powerful passport in the Arab world, according to a 2018 >report released by Henley & Partners, a global citizenship and residence advisory firm. 

Globally, the Emirati passport ranked 27th most powerful, with visa-free access to 140 destinations. The passport saw an increase of 11 points in the ranking in just one year, according to the report.

In 2017, the UAE >ranked 38th in the Henley index. Since then, a number of countries have >lifted the visa-restrictions on holders of the Emirati passport. 

"The UAE’s meteoric rise [on the index] is indicative of the country’s growing soft power and its visibility as a global commercial, economic and travel hub," said Marco Gantenbein, managing partner of Henley & Partners, >according to Gulf News.

"The nation has been making steady progress with strengthening its diplomatic ties with other countries across the globe, because of which the UAE passport continues to demonstrate its agility and raise the benchmark for other countries in the Middle East."

Since 1999, visa restrictions on Emirati citizens have gone down, as about 45 countries granted holders of the UAE passport visa-free access. 

The Kuwaiti passport ranked 59th globally, with visa-free access to 83 countries.

The Qatari passport ranked 61st globally, with visa-free access to 81 countries.

The Bahraini passport ranked 65th globally, with visa-free access to 75 countries.

Check out the full ranking here.