Monitoring Desk:
The UAE’s passport has achieved another milestone in the global ranking of passports on Saturday after it jumped to Number 1 in the world on the eve of the country’s 47th National Day celebrations, according to the Dubai Media Office.
The UAE passport holders are now able to access visa-free entry to 167 countries worldwide, according to Passport Index.
It took just three weeks before the UAE skipped the No 2 position to become the world’s most powerful passport.
The UAE passport was ranked Number 3 world only three weeks ago, on November 8 and Number 4 in October this year.
Four more countries were added to that list in the last three weeks.
On November 8, Singapore and Germany were the most powerful passports in the world, with their citizens able to travel to 165 countries visa-free.
Historic
Landing on top is a historic achievement for the Emirates: it coincides with the ‘Year of Zayed’ and country’s 47th National Day, and is added to country’s numerous accomplishments in various domains.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President, Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, tweeted: “On the glorious UAE National Day, our achievements are getting doubled. The Passport Index has just ranked the UAE passport as Number 1 globally, with visa-free entry to 167 countries worldwide. Congratulations to the UAE and its people and big thanks to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation’s teams led by Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed”.
His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Abu Dhabi Crown Prince and Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces, also tweeted, saying: “Thanks to Allah Almighty, the UAE passport has been ranked 1st globally, an achievement which reflects our right approach and future vision. A big ‘thank you’ goes to the working teams for their great efforts to strengthen the UAE’s status, enhance its reputation, and facilitate procedures for Emirati citizens. Congratulations to the UAE leadership and people for this worthy achievement”.
The UAE, under the leadership of President His Highness Shaikh Khalifa Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, has surpassed all expectations after accomplishing this achievement
This success was achieved by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation under the leadership of Shaikh Abdullah Bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation.
2021 target hit in 2018
In 2017, the UAE announced an ambitious goal of becoming one of the five most powerful passports in the world by 2021. Back then, the UAE passport provided Emiratis visa-free or visa-on-arrival benefits in 132 countries.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation (MOFAIC) launched the UAE Passport Force initiative to place the Emirati passport on the list of the five most powerful passports in the world by 2021.
However, the country has achieved this goal three years before the dateline.
The strength of the passport does not only represent the identity of the citizen but also an important factor affecting its access to global opportunities, ease of movement and quality of life.
The Passport Index issued by the Arton Capital, ranks countries’ passports based on the number of countries a passport holder can enter without obtaining a visa or obtaining it at the time of entry.
Meaning of ranking
The index ranks countries around the world according to the number of destinations their citizens can travel to visa-free.
It was only last July 9 this year when the UAE entered the top 10 rankings. In September 13, it moved higher to secure the ninth position.
In 2017, the UAE announced an ambitious goal of becoming one of the five most powerful passports in the world by 2021. Back then, the UAE passport provided Emiratis visa-free or visa-on-arrival benefits in 132 countries.
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