The United Arab Emirates has recorded one of the most significant improvements in passport strength globally, adding 153 visa-free destinations over two decades, according to the Henley Passport Index. This gain has lifted the Emirati passport from the middle of the rankings to second place, tied with Japan and South Korea, offering access to 188 destinations as of July 2026.
Other countries, including Kosovo, India, and Oman, have also shown notable progress in passport mobility, driven by new visa-waiver agreements and stronger diplomatic ties. These changes reflect broader trends in global travel access, where diplomatic engagement can quickly alter a country's standing.
Top Performers in Passport Mobility
The Henley Passport Index and Arton Capital's Passport Index provide recent data on these improvements. The UAE's progress is attributed to sustained diplomatic engagement, visa agreements, and wider international partnerships. In 2026, the UAE also secured a visa-waiver agreement with Papua New Guinea, continuing its upward trajectory.
Kosovo has made one of the strongest long-term climbs among European passports, rising 38 places since 2016, from 97th to 59th, and adding access to 43 destinations without a prior visa. This improvement followed increased European mobility, particularly after the introduction of visa-free travel to the Schengen area.
Steady Gains for India and Oman
India has recorded steady gains in passport access through increased diplomatic engagement. Henley's 2025 data showed India climbing eight places in six months, from 85th to 77th, after gaining access to additional destinations. The 2026 ranking places India at 80th with access to 55 destinations, according to Henley's current data.
Oman has expanded its travel access through new bilateral visa agreements. The Omani passport currently ranks 58th in Henley's 2026 ranking, with access to 85 destinations without a prior visa. A significant development came through China's visa-waiver arrangement covering Oman and other Gulf Cooperation Council countries, and Oman also introduced a reciprocal visa exemption with Russia for short-term visits.
Gulf Countries and Other Notable Climbers
Saudi Arabia's passport has gained from a wider diplomatic push under the country's Vision 2030 strategy. The current Henley ranking places Saudi Arabia at 53rd with access to 88 destinations, while the Passport Index gives the Saudi passport a mobility score of 102. Saudi citizens have also benefited from China's decision to extend visa-free access to citizens of several Gulf states.
Bahrain has benefited from the wider expansion of Gulf mobility agreements, including China's visa-waiver arrangements. The Bahraini passport currently ranks 56th in Henley's 2026 ranking with access to 88 destinations, and Passport Index places it at a mobility score of 99.
Hong Kong's passport has experienced a notable rise in some global mobility assessments, supported by strong international commercial links. The Philippines has recorded a measurable improvement in mobility access, with Passport Index currently recording a mobility score of 79, placing it 61st in its 2026 Global Passport Power Rank. Pakistan remains near the bottom of global passport rankings, but its recent trajectory has shown some improvement, with Henley's 2026 ranking placing it at 100th, with access to 30 destinations without a prior visa.
Drivers and Limitations of Passport Gains
The biggest factor behind passport gains is diplomatic engagement. New visa-waiver agreements can immediately add destinations to a country's mobility score, while regional arrangements can allow several countries to benefit from one agreement. The Gulf provides a clear example: Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Bahrain have all benefited from wider visa liberalisation with China, while the UAE has pursued its own extensive network of bilateral agreements.
Passport rankings should be read with care because Henley and Arton Capital use different methodologies and can produce different rankings or mobility scores. Henley, for example, measures destinations accessible without a prior visa across 227 travel destinations and updates its index regularly.
Nigeria's passport ranking has improved in the 2026 Henley Passport Index, allowing visa-free travel to 44 countries. However, restrictive entry requirements in Europe, North America, and Asia continue to limit Nigerians' global travel, according to the report.
