The UAE passport has jumped to Number 1 as the world's most powerful passport on Saturday, December 1, 2018 — on the eve of the country's 47th National Day celebrations, according to the Dubai Media Office.

With this historic achievement, UAE passport holders are now able to gain visa-free entry to 167 countries worldwide, according to Passport Index.

The UAE passport was ranked No. 27 in December 2016. In October this year, it rapidly notched higher to No. 4.

Then it went up to No. 3 on November 8, with Emirati citizens able to fly to 163 countries without securing a visa prior to departure — just behind Singapore and Germany, whose citizens are able to travel visa-free to 165 countries.

Four more countries were added to the UAE list as of December 1, 2018.

Skipped No. 2 position
It took just three weeks before the UAE landed on top, thus skipping the No. 2 position among the world's most powerful travel documents.

The achievement is historic 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”.

SOURCE : GULFNEWS