Photo: Collected
The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has once again emerged as the world’s most powerful passport, according to a report by the Nomad Passport Ranking Index 2023. The nomad passport index ranks 199 citizenships for a deeper understanding of global citizenship.
The UAE has entered the top ten for the first time this year, jumping straight to number one from 35th last year. This is largely due to recent changes allowing foreigners to apply for dual citizenship, which, combined with the travel freedoms afforded by a UAE passport, plus the country’s business-friendly environment and enviable tax system puts the United Arab Emirates top of our list for 2023.
The passport ranking was made on the grounds of travel, taxation, dual citizenship, perception and freedom. The UAE passport holds a total score of 110.50, as the travel document allows entry to 181 countries. However, the passport of Bangladesh is currently ranked as 182, with a total score of 37.50.
For the UAE’s Travel score calculation, the index relied on publicly available passport data and news sources to rank travel access,” the report said.
“We calculate the Travel scores by summing up Visa-free, Visa On Arrival, and eTA countries. Based on that data, we assigned UAE a Travel score of 181 as there are 116 countries that UAE passport holders can enter without a visa (i.e. visa-free countries), 58 countries that allow UAE passport holders to enter by obtaining a visa on arrival (i.e. visa-on-arrival countries) and 7 electronic travel authorisation (eTA) destinations,” the report said.
Totally, UAE passport holders can enter 181 destinations — either without a visa, through a visa on arrival, or via an eTA.
Moreover, the UAE’s zero-tax approach also boosted its passport ranking with a total score of 50, the report said.
Therese are the top 10 countries with the world’s most powerful passports: United Arab Emirates (UAE), Luxembourg, Switzerland, Ireland, Portugal, Germany, Czech Republic, New Zealand, Sweden & Finland.
The passport of Bangladesh is currently ranked as 182, with a total score of 37.50.
TDM/FMT
