The UAE passport is one of the strongest in the world, offering Emirati citizens unparalleled freedom to travel.
With access to 179 countries, including visa-free destinations, visa-on-arrival, and eVisa options, UAE passport holders can explore the globe with ease.
From short getaways in Europe’s Schengen Area to long-term adventures across Africa, Asia, and the Americas, lets explore UAE passport visa free countries.
In this guide you will learn about:
Visa Free Countries for UAE Passport Holders
Here is a UAE passport visa-free countries list:
Antigua and BarbudaAlbaniaArmeniaAngolaArgentinaAustriaAzerbaijanBosnia and HerzegovinaBarbadosBelgiumBurkina FasoBulgariaBahrainBruneiBrazilBahamasBotswanaBelarusSwitzerlandChileChinaColombiaCosta RicaCubaCyprusCzechiaGermanyDenmarkDominicaDominican RepublicEcuadorEstoniaEgyptSpainFinlandFijiFederated States of MicronesiaFranceGrenadaGeorgiaGambiaGreeceGuatemalaHondurasCroatiaHaitiHungaryIrelandIranIcelandItalyJordanJapanKyrgyzstanKiribatiSaint Kitts and NevisKuwaitKazakhstanLebanonSaint LuciaLiechtensteinLithuaniaLuxembourgLatviaMoroccoMoldovaMontenegroNorth MacedoniaMaliMongoliaMaltaMauritiusMexicoMalaysiaNicaraguaNetherlandsNorwayNauruOmanPanamaPeruPhilippinesPakistanPolandPortugalParaguayQatarRomaniaSerbiaRussiaSaudi ArabiaSolomon IslandsSeychellesSudanSwedenSingaporeSloveniaSlovakiaSenegalSurinameSao Tome and PrincipeEl SalvadorChadThailandTunisiaTongaTurkeyUkraineUruguayUzbekistanSaint Vincent and the GrenadinesVanuatuSouth AfricaZambiaVisa on arrival countries for UAE Passport Holders
The list below is all the countries where holders of a UAE passport can visit by getting a visa when they land at the airport. Be prepared to pay for any visa fees on arrival.
BangladeshRepublic of the CongoCape VerdeGuinea-BissauIndonesiaComorosMarshall IslandsMaldivesPalauEast TimorTuvaluSamoaYemenCountries that require an e Visa for UAE Passport Holders
The list below is all the countries where holders of a UAE passport can visit by getting electronic visa authorization before traveling.
AustraliaBurundiBeninBoliviaBhutanDemocratic Republic of the CongoIvory CoastCameroonDjiboutiEthiopiaGabonGuineaEquatorial GuineaGuyanaIndiaIraqCambodiaLaosLesothoLibyaMadagascarMauritaniaMalawiNamibiaNigeriaNepalPapua New GuineaRwandaSierra LeoneSomaliaSouth SudanTogoTajikistanTaiwanTanzaniaUgandaVietnamZimbabweCountries that require an eTA for UAE Passport Holders
CanadaUnited KingdomIsraelKenyaSouth KoreaSri LankaMozambiqueNew ZealandCountries with Visa Requirements for UAE Passport Holders
The list below is all the countries requiring United Arab Emirates passport holders to apply for a visa before making travel arrangements.
BelizeAlgeriaEritreaGhanaJamaicaLiberiaMyanmarNigerEswatiniTurkmenistanTrinidad and TobagoUnited StatesVenezuelaOverview of the UAE Passport
The United Arab Emirates, a federation of seven emirates, including Abu Dhabi and Dubai. The UAE offers a modern way of life while still offering a world of culture and history.
The UAE, one of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, is one of the top places in the world for investors as the economy and overall business opportunities are growing astronomically. This, along with the strategic location are making the UAE, one of the top contenders for expats in 2025 and beyond, with the UAE Golden Visa leading the way for foreign investment into the country.
In recent years, the UAE passport ranking has increased dramatically, putting it ahead of many top nations across the globe. The UAE passport offers visa-free travel to over 170 countries, including the Schengen area, top European nations, Asia, and Africa, providing a world of opportunities for investors looking to get into various global industries.
Plus, with access to countries across the globe the opportunity to travel, work, and study in various destinations means those with a valid passport have the world at their fingertips.
Closer Look at Popular Travel Destinations for the UAE Passport
Schengen Area
The Schengen Zone encompasses a monumental agreement among European countries, allowing free and unrestricted movement across their borders as if they were a single country for international travel purposes.
This agreement eliminates border checks and harmonizes visa policies, making travel and commerce easier, especially for those who hold a UAE passport.
Here are areas within the Schengen zone, including European Union (EU) countries for UAE passport holders to travel visa free:
Austria Belgium Croatia Czechia Denmark Estonia Finland France Germany Greece Hungary Iceland Italy Latvia Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Malta Netherlands Norway Poland Portugal Slovakia Slovenia Spain Sweden Switzerland Asia
Thanks to its location in the Middle East, Emirati passport holders have easy access to Asia and the Far East. With a UAE passport, Singapore allows a visa-free visit for up to 30 days, South Korea provides visa-free access for stays of up to 90 days, and Thailand offers visa-free travel for up to 30 days, to name a few.
Here are areas within Asia for UAE passport holders to travel visa free:
Azerbaijan Brunei China Japan Kazakhstan Kyrgyzstan Malaysia Mongolia Philippines Singapore Thailand Uzbekistan Africa
Africa is a continent of rich diversity, with a wide range of countries. Each has its own unique culture and an abundance of business opportunities. In terms of trade, Africa is one of the top trade destinations in the world.
Here are areas within Africa for UAE passport holders to travel visa free:
Angola Botswana Burkina Faso Central African Republic Chad Egypt Gambia Mali Mauritius Morocco Sao Tome and Principe Senegal Seychelles South Africa Sudan Tunisia Zambia Middle East
The Middle East is a region known for its historical significance, cultural richness, and strategic importance. It serves as a crossroads between Asia, Africa, and Europe, making it a hub for trade, innovation, and tourism.
Here are areas within the Middle East for UAE passport holders to travel visa free:
Bahrain Iran Jordan Kuwait Lebanon Oman Qatar Saudi Arabia Syria Turkey Americas
The Americas are an excellent destination for UAE passport holders due to easy visa access to many countries, including Mexico and Brazil. There are ample educational and business opportunities within the Americas making it a popular option for travelers from the UAE.
Here are areas within the Americas for UAE passport holders to travel visa free:
Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Bahamas Barbados Brazil Chile Colombia Costa Rica Cuba Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador El Salvador Grenada Guatemala Haiti Honduras Mexico Nicaragua Panama Paraguay Peru Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Suriname Uruguay Europe (Non-Schengen)
Europe offers fantastic travel opportunities for those with a UAE passport. The rich history, fantastic culture, and gorgeous landscapes invite UAE passport holders on the holiday of a lifetime.
Here are areas within Europe for UAE passport holders to travel visa free:
Albania Andorra Armenia Belarus Bosnia and Herzegovina Bulgaria Cyprus Georgia Ireland 
Kosovo Moldova Monaco Montenegro North Macedonia Romania Russia San Marino Serbia Ukraine Oceania
Oceania is very appealing for UAE passport holders, with destinations like New Zealand and Australia offering easy visa options for those from the UAE. If history and exploring great natural wonders are things you enjoy, Oceania has a lot to offer.
Here are areas within the Oceania region for UAE passport holders to travel visa free:
Federated States of Micronesia Fiji Kiribati Nauru Solomon Islands Tonga Vanuatu Benefits of a UAE Passport
1. Extensive visa free travel
United Arab Emirates passport holders enjoy visa-free or visa-on-arrival access to over 170 countries, including major destinations like the UK, Schengen Area, and Singapore. This makes international travel for business or pleasure more convenient and less time-consuming, as it eliminates the need for lengthy visa application processes.
2. Global business opportunities
With the UAE’s strong economic standing and its passport’s wide acceptance, United Arab Emirates citizens have an edge in global business dealings. They can easily travel for meetings, conferences, and negotiations, fostering international partnerships and investments.
3. Emergency support overseas
UAE nationals benefit from a strong network of embassies and consulates around the world. This network provides vital support in emergencies, including legal issues, health crises, or lost travel documents, ensuring citizens’ safety and well-being abroad.
4. Ease of study and work abroad
For students and professionals looking to study or work internationally, the UAE passport simplifies entry into many countries. This facilitates access to world-class educational institutions and global job markets, enhancing personal and professional development opportunities.
5. Passport ranking
In terms of our Global Passport Index, the United Arab Emirates ranks the 31st most powerful passport in the world. It ranks 25th on the Enhanced Mobility Index and 6th on the Investment Index.
How to Obtain a UAE Passport
Obtaining UAE citizenship is quite difficult as the UAE government has strict regulations surrounding citizenship. However, recent changes in regulation, have opened up UAE citizenship to more foreign nationals. Here are some of the ways to get UAE citizenship:
- By marriage: You may be eligible for citizenship by marriage if you meet the requirements.
- By descent: Citizenship by descent is possible in the UAE as long as you can prove you are a legitimate descendent of Arab nationality.
- By naturalization: UAE citizenship by nationality is attainable for those that have been residing in the UAE for more that 30 years. While very rare, it is possible.
- By exceptional merit: Emirati royals or officials can nominate people for citizenship by exceptional merit. It is very difficult and requires exceptional performance in your filed, international awards, significant investment in the country, and more.
If you’re not looking to become a citizen, then an option like the UAE Golden Visa is the ideal option as it offers long term residency in the UAE, with far fewer restrictions. Additionally, UAE residency through company formation is another option.
How Can Global Citizen Solutions Help You?
Global Citizen Solutions is a boutique migration consultancy firm with years of experience delivering bespoke residence and citizenship by investment solutions for international families. With offices worldwide and an experienced, hands-on team, we have helped hundreds of clients worldwide acquire citizenship, residence visas, or homes while diversifying their portfolios with robust investments.
We guide you from start to finish, taking you beyond your citizenship or residency by investment application.
