UAE ranks 16th on Henley Passport Index

The UAE’s agenda to establish itself as a global hub is evident in its remarkable upward trajectory on the Henley Passport Index which released its findings for 2021 today.

The UAE now has a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of 173 and holds the 16th spot in the ranking, the country occupied the 18th position in 2020. This is a stunning ascent when compared to the position it held at the Index’s inception in 2006, when the country ranked 62nd, with a visa-free/visa-on-arrival score of just 35.

The country signed several mutually reciprocated visa-waiver agreements last year, including a landmark US-brokered agreement establishing formal ties with Israel and granting citizens of each country visa-free access to the other.

Dr Robert Mogielnicki, Resident Scholar at the Arab Gulf States Institute in Washington, said: “A strong technology focus weaves together the economic agreements and memorandums of understanding that emerged in the wake of the UAE–Israel normalisation agreement. Sudan normalised relations with Israel in October 2020, and other Arab countries may take similar steps over the coming months.”

The advanced technological and social infrastructure UAE possesses enabled it to tide over the Covid-19 crisis successfully, said Bal Krishen, chairman, Century Financial.

“The country has done mass testing and screening of its citizens, which helped put the Coronavirus crisis under control. High-speed internet infrastructure ensured a seamless transition to WFH environment. Advanced technology and its ability to control the pandemic meant UAE was open for business when other countries were going through a rigorous lockdown. The UAE’s recent efforts to normalise relations with neighbouring countries and its recent reforms, including permission for 100 per cent investment in almost sectors should make its passport one of the most sought after ones in the world,” added Krishen.

sandhya@khaleejtimes.com