UAE ranks 8th globally with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 destinations, marking the strongest passport in the Arab and Islamic world.Qatar rises to 47th, driven by its entry into the USVisa Waiver Program , a first for any Arab nation, with access to 112 destinations.- Saudi Arabia reaches 54th, gaining visa-free access to China, the UK, and Turkey, totaling 91 destinations.
- Kuwait holds 50th place with access to 100 destinations, but sees limited mobility growth in 2025.
- Bahrain and Oman rank 55th and 56th respectively, with access to 90 and 88 destinations, showing modest year-on-year improvements.
- All six GCC countries gained visa-free access to China in June 2025, enhancing regional passport strength.
Gulf Passport Power: UAE Soars, Qatar Breaks Through, Saudi Steadies
The Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) has rapidly transformed passport strength into a tool of soft power and diplomacy. The July 2025 Henley Passport Index ranks the UAE’s passport 8th globally, with visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries, a historic rise from just 35 countries a decade ago, putting it close to traditional leaders like Singapore and Japan and marking unmatched progress for the Middle East. Other GCC states, like Qatar and Saudi Arabia, have also boosted global mobility, reflecting deliberate investments in bilateral visa deals and citizenship reforms. Historically restricted by political and security issues, GCC passports now symbolize national ambition and diplomatic flexibility, aligning with broader global trends toward mobility and interconnected economies. The region’s rise in passport power underscores the GCC’s diplomatic clout and international ambition.
UAE: Passport Powerhouse of the Arab World
At the top of the Gulf passport rankings stands the United Arab Emirates, now ranked 8th globally. Emirati citizens enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 184 countries, surpassing traditionally dominant passports such as those of the US and Canada. The UAE’s meteoric rise, from 42nd place in 2015 to 8th in 2025, marks the largest leap in the two-decade history of the Henley Passport Index.This remarkable progress is driven by an ambitious foreign policy focused on visa-waiver agreements with regions including the European Union, China, Russia, and Latin America. The UAE is the only Middle Eastern country in the global Top 10, placing it alongside established leaders like Canada, Estonia, and several EU nations. Its passport is now the strongest in both the Arab world and the broader Islamic world.
Qatar: Strategic Breakthrough with the United States
Qatar’s passport has seen a significant leap in the latest global rankings, rising to approximately 47th place. The key catalyst behind this surge? A landmark agreement that makes Qatar the first Arab country to be included in the US Visa Waiver Program, effective December 2024. This agreement grants Qatari citizens visa-free entry to the United States for stays of up to 90 days, placing Qatar in an exclusive league of trusted international partners. This move further complements Qatar’s growing diplomatic influence, marked by its role in hosting international mediations, global summits, and expanding relations with countries across Latin America and Asia. As a result, Qatar now enjoys visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 112 destinations, up from 108 in January 2024. This improvement has helped the country rise six spots in the rankings, from 53rd to 47th place globally. In recent years, Qatar’s passport has consistently ranked in the mid-50s, with positions of 54th, 60th, 53rd, and 55th in 2020, 2021, 2022, and 2023, respectively. Now, it holds second place among GCC countries, with the UAE maintaining the top position.
Saudi Arabia: Quiet Progress with Key New Access
The Saudi Arabian passport continues its gradual upward trend, now ranking 54th globally on the Henley Passport Index, with access to 91 destinations without requiring a prior visa. A major breakthrough this year came in June 2025, when China granted Saudi citizens visa-free entry, followed by similar agreements with Turkey and the United Kingdom. While Saudi Arabia’s progress hasn’t been as rapid as that of the UAE or Qatar, its steady approach, pairing domestic reforms with active international engagement, is showing results. The expansion of electronic visa systems and a growing tourism sector have further enhanced the kingdom’s global standing. This year alone, Saudi Arabia added four new visa-free destinations. The agreement with China, in particular, marks a significant step in strengthening the passport’s reach and influence.
Kuwait: Stable, but Not Accelerating
As of 2025, Kuwait’s passport ranks 50th globally, according to the latest Henley & Partners report, offering visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to approximately 100 destinations. While Kuwaiti citizens enjoy full visa-free movement within the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), global mobility growth has been modest compared to regional leaders. Kuwait’s slower progress is partly due to the lack of major new bilateral visa agreements in the past year. Its application for Schengen visa-free access remains pending, limiting further expansion. In contrast, countries like the UAE, ranked 8th with access to 184 destinations, and Qatar have advanced rapidly through active visa diplomacy. This highlights Kuwait’s steady but cautious approach to enhancing passport strength, resulting in a relative lag behind its more proactive GCC peers.
Oman and Bahrain: Modest Mobility, Regional Strength
Bringing up the rear among GCC nations are Oman and Bahrain, ranked 56th and 55th respectively, according to the Henley Passport Index for July 2025. Bahraini passport holders now enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to 90 destinations, while Omani citizens can access 88 destinations, up from 86 in 2024.Both countries continue to benefit from strong regional integration through the GCC framework, though their global mobility remains more limited compared to leading regional peers. The Sultanate of Oman, in particular, continues its upward trend in international travel rankings, rising from 65th in 2023 to 60th in 2024 and now 56th in 2025. Bahrain has also made progress, climbing four positions from 59th in 2024 to 55th in 2025, reflecting modest yet steady improvements in global access.Notably, both Oman and Bahrain were included in China’s sweeping visa-free expansion in June 2025, alongside several of their Gulf neighbors, further contributing to their gradual improvement in global mobility.
China’s Diplomatic Play: Visa-Free for All Six GCC States
In a significant diplomatic and economic development, China extended visa-free access to all six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman, in June 2025. This decision reflects Beijing’s broader push to deepen its geopolitical and economic ties with the Middle East through enhanced mobility, tourism, and bilateral cooperation.Previously, only UAE and Qatar citizens enjoyed visa-free entry to China. As of June 9, 2025, China has included Saudi Arabia, Oman, Kuwait, and Bahrain in this expanded policy, offering visa-free entry for up to 30 days for purposes including business, tourism, family visits, and cultural exchanges.This initiative is part of a one-year trial program running from June 9, 2025, to June 8, 2026, and is expected to significantly boost tourism, investment flows, tech partnerships, and people-to-people exchanges between China and the Gulf region. It also positions China as a leading destination for GCC travelers and strengthens its strategic engagement in the Middle East.
Intra-Gulf Mobility: A Regional Strength
All six GCC countries continue to allow free movement of citizens across their borders, as per existing Gulf Cooperation Council protocols. This intra-regional mobility remains unaffected by global rankings and provides a strong baseline of movement for Gulf citizens, regardless of their international passport power.
FAQ: Gulf Passports and the Henley Index (2025)
Q. What is the Henley Passport Index? Ranks passports by number of destinations accessible without a prior visa; updated quarterly using IATA data.Q. Why is the UAE ranked higher than the US or UK? UAE signed 50+ visa deals, granting access to 184 destinations, more than the US or UK.Q. What is the US Visa Waiver Program, and why is Qatar’s inclusion significant? Qatar is the first Arab country in the program, enabling visa-free US entry and boosting global rank.Q. Which countries offer visa-free access to all GCC nations now? China, Turkey, and Malaysia now allow visa-free entry for all GCC citizens, reflecting growing global trust.Q. Is GCC mobility affected by Henley rankings? No. GCC citizens enjoy free movement within member states regardless of their global passport rankings.Q. Are Saudi Arabia and Kuwait expected to rise further? Yes. Saudi reforms and Kuwait’s Schengen talks could further boost passport strength in coming years.Q. Which Gulf passports remain the weakest in global mobility? Oman (56th) and Bahrain (55th) rank lowest in the GCC but continue gradual improvement.
