UAE passport ranks among world's 'most powerful,' Iraq, Syria at bottom of list

BEIRUT — The United Arab Emirates (UAE) ranked among the countries with the most powerful passports globally, according to the Henley Passport Index published on Tuesday.

The 2023 global passport ranking ranks 199 passports according to the number of destinations their holders can access without a prior visa. The ranking is based on data provided by the International Air Transport Authority.

The UAE ranked 12th globally, with its passport allowing holders to travel visa-free to 179 countries out of 227. 

Multiple countries can share a ranking if their passports allow holders to visit the same number of countries visa-free, so the UAE falls behind 36 others globally, sharing the 12th position with Cyprus.